Morocco head coach Walid Regragui opened up about how he attempted to recruit Barcelona star Lamine Yamal for the Atlas Lions.
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Regragui led Morocco to the semi-finals of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar and has been instrumental in the team's recent success.
Afrik-Foot reported that the former Moroccan international told Spain's El Chiringuito TV that he tried to persuade the young star to play for Morocco instead of Spain.
"Lamine Yamal is a generational star that we tried to bring into the Moroccan national team, but it wasn't possible," Regragui told the Spanish publication.
"What he's doing at his age is incredible," he acknowledged.
The former Wydad AC manager also revealed the conversations that occurred behind-the-scenes in his attempt to convince Lamine Yamal.
"I had several phone conversations with him," the coach continued.
"I presented Morocco's plans to him: the 2025 African Cup of Nations at home, the 2030 World Cup. He was completely honest with me. Two days later, he called me back to tell me that he felt Spanish, that he had always played for Spain. I wished him good luck, because he was incredibly sincere," he said.
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The Barcelona prodigy was eligible to play for Morocco through his father.
