Lamine Yamal credits Moroccan character and Equatorial Guinean joy for his football

Home Home Latest News Latest News World Footaball World Footaball Ghana Players Abroad Ghana Players Abroad Ghana Premier League Ghana Premier League National Teams National Teams Videos Videos Black Stars Black Stars Transfer News & Rumours Transfer News & Rumours Kotoko Kotoko Hearts Of Oak Hearts Of Oak Lamine Yamal credits Moroccan character and Equatorial Guinean joy for his football 02 November 2026 Share this with Email Share this with Facebook Share this with Twitter Share this with Whatsapp Lamine Yamal says his Moroccan and Equatorial Guinean heritage has helped shape both his personality and his distinctive style of play.

The Barcelona-born forward, whose father is Moroccan and mother is from Equatorial Guinea, discussed his cultural background in the documentary Revolucio 304.

Yamal, who is 19, said he was proud of the different influences that had shaped what he described as his “inimitable style”. He linked his strong personality to his Moroccan family and his cheerful nature to his Equatorial Guinean roots.

His father, Mounir Nasraoui, comes from Larache in northern Morocco, while his mother, Sheila Ebana, is from Bata.

Yamal has retained both family names. His father made the clarification during a live broadcast on social media, following Barcelona’s victory in Liga this weekend, when the teenager scored twice.

The player, who finished third in the 2026 Ballon d’Or, has represented Spain at senior level since making his decision permanent in September 2023.

He described that choice as the natural outcome of his progression through Spain’s youth teams, having played from Under-15 level through to the Under-19s. His explanation was later backed by former Morocco manager Walid Regragui.

Yamal’s decision ended any possibility of him representing Morocco or Equatorial Guinea internationally at senior level. However, Fouzi Lekjaa, president of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), continues to regard the Barcelona left-footer as Moroccan.

“Just to be clear, I do not know any Spaniard named ‘Jamal’ in the history of Spanish football,” Lekjaa said on the subject at the end of May.

Yamal was born in Barcelona but has spoken openly about the two sides of his family and the way they have contributed to his identity. The documentary presents those influences as part of the background to his development as one of Barcelona and Spain’s leading young players.

His father’s Moroccan origins and his mother’s Equatorial Guinean heritage remain central to the story of his upbringing, even though he chose Spain after progressing through the country’s youth international system.

The teenager’s comments came after another decisive performance for Barcelona, with his two goals helping secure the club’s Liga victory at the weekend.