Equatorial Guinea Proudly Claims Connection to Lamine Yamal

Lamine Yamal's performance at the ongoing European Championships is set to boost football in Equatorial Guinea, according to the country’s football federation. The 16-year-old, who has captured global attention with his displays in Germany, represents Spain despite having an Equatoguinean mother and a Moroccan father.

Born in Barcelona, Yamal grew up in the city and developed his football skills at La Masia, FC Barcelona's renowned academy.

He recently completed his first season with the five-time European champions. Venancio Tomas Ndong Micha, president of Equatorial Guinea’s football federation, expressed pride in Yamal's achievements, even though he does not play for their national team. "Even though Lamine is not playing for Equatorial Guinea, we hold him very close in our hearts and think he is going to do many things for Equatoguinean football," he stated "We are enjoying his extraordinary performances at the Euros, on top of the great season with FC Barcelona. He has our roots, and this shows that we are a country of good footballers."

Yamal has demonstrated remarkable skill, entrusted with key roles for Spain despite his young age. His stunning goal against France and crucial assists in matches against Croatia, Georgia, and Germany highlight his all-around ability. As he prepares to play in the final against England on Sunday, a day after his 17th birthday, Yamal will become the youngest player to contest a final at either the Euros or World Cup.

This achievement parallels that of Pele, who was 17 years and 249 days old when he played in Brazil's 1958 World Cup triumph.

Yamal's record as the youngest goal scorer at a Euros (16 years and 361 days) and his accomplishments with FC Barcelona—where he became the youngest player to start a league game (16 years and 38 days) and the youngest scorer in La Liga history (16 years and 87 days)—will be challenging to surpass.

Equatorial Guinea, split into two parts with its capital Malabo on an island and the largest city Bata on the mainland, is where Yamal's mother was born. She later moved to Spain, where she met his father. Despite their separation, Yamal's mother and grandmother reside in Barcelona, while the rest of his maternal family remains in Equatorial Guinea. The country, which has reached the knock-out stages at the last two Africa Cup of Nations, has tried to secure Yamal's services in the past.

In 2021, Equatorial Guinea’s football federation (Feguifoot) made an attempt to recruit Yamal, but they were outpaced by the Spanish football federation. Ndong Micha, who has a personal connection with Yamal’s family, explained, "We contacted the family in 2021 but the advances with the Spanish football federation had gone very deep. We did try, because I am a good friend of the family by chance – particularly the grandfather – and all the family used to talk about the kid."

Morocco also pursued Yamal, with Faouzi Lekjaa, president of Morocco’s football federation, recounting their unsuccessful efforts last year due to Yamal's strong desire to play for Spain. Despite choosing to represent Spain, Yamal maintains a close connection to his African heritage, as evidenced by the national flags of Equatorial Guinea and Morocco on his football boots. "This shows that even though he is playing for Spain, he is not forgetting his Equatoguinean roots," added Ndong Micha.