Summary
- Footage from Barcelona’s 3-0 win over Getafe captured Abqar telling Yamal he wanted to play for Morocco.
- Yamal was eligible for Morocco through his father but chose Spain and made his senior debut in 2023.
- The exchange surfaced after the match rather than driving the result.
A sideline exchange draws attention
A brief confrontation during Barcelona’s 3-0 La Liga victory over Getafe on October 10 has attracted attention after Spanish broadcaster Movistar+ aired previously unnoticed footage. Moroccan defender Abdelkabir Abqar can be heard repeatedly telling Lamine Yamal that he wanted to play for Morocco while the Barcelona winger protested a refereeing decision. The remarks came after Anthony Gordon challenged goalkeeper David Soria and referee Jesús Gil Manzano awarded Getafe a free kick, according to accounts of the footage. Yamal attempted to move Abqar away before the players separated. [1] [2]
Why the comment carried weight
Yamal was born in Spain to a Moroccan father and an Equatorial Guinean mother, leaving him eligible to represent more than one national team. He ultimately committed to Spain, receiving his first senior call-up in 2023. Morocco World News reported that Yamal had said playing for Spain was his long-held ambition, while Morocco coach Walid Regragui has previously acknowledged that the federation tried to persuade him before respecting his choice. Abqar, meanwhile, has represented Morocco at senior level, giving the exchange an added international dimension. [2] [3]
Separate from the result
The exchange appeared to end without a larger confrontation, and reports said Yamal largely declined to engage with Abqar’s repeated comments. It also had no clear bearing on Barcelona’s victory: the Catalan club won 3-0 through goals by Gordon, Gabriel Jesus and Jules Koundé, extending its winning league run. The episode nevertheless reopened discussion around a choice that has followed Yamal since his rapid rise into Spain’s senior side. None of the cited accounts indicated that Yamal was reconsidering his international allegiance. [1] [2]