Former Spanish footballer Albert Luque recently faced backlash following derogatory comments about Morocco and African football. His remarks, made in an interview with Cadena SER radio’s El Larguero, have drawn strong criticism for dismissing Africa’s footballing prowess.
In the interview, Luque belittled the quality and development of African football, ignoring the continent’s significant contributions to global football. African players regularly shine in top European leagues, including Spain’s La Liga and the UEFA Champions League. Many top clubs across Europe rely on African talent to strengthen their squads.
One of the most controversial points in the interview was Luque’s criticism of Real Madrid star Brahim Diaz, who chose to represent Morocco instead of Spain. “Did it hurt him? I think it hurt him the most not to lift the European Championship. It is not the same to play with Italy as with Kenya,” Luque stated, belittling Diaz’s decision.
Luque’s comments came as Diaz enjoyed praise for his performances with Real Madrid, with international media highlighting his contributions to the club’s successes in La Liga. His role with Morocco in AFCON qualifiers, where he scored six goals, has also earned widespread recognition.
Controversy Surrounding Lamine Yamal’s Choice
Luque also addressed the case of Barcelona player Lamine Yamal, another player of Moroccan origin. He claimed to have spoken with Yamal’s father, who allegedly said that his son faced threats for choosing to represent Spain over Morocco. Luque further recounted, “When we spoke to Lamine, he told me: ‘I want to be European champion… but I want to play with Spain.'”
According to Luque, Yamal’s father expressed concerns, stating, “In Morocco, they were going to kill him.” He went on to claim that Yamal’s mother played a key role in guiding him. These remarks have caused a stir, particularly as rumors have circulated about Morocco’s alleged attempts to convince Yamal to join their national team.
In response to these rumors, the President of Morocco’s Football Federation, Fouzi Lekjaa, publicly denied any financial or other forms of pressure on players like Yamal. “I challenge any Moroccan player to confirm that we exerted pressure or engaged in bargaining with them,” Lekjaa said in an interview.
Spanish media outlets like AS also reported on claims that Morocco had presented Yamal with a financial offer to persuade him to play for the Atlas Lions. However, Yamal reportedly declined the offer.
Luque’s Troubled Past
Albert Luque, a former player for Spain, has faced controversy in the past, including his dismissal as Spain’s national team director in 2024 following the Luis Rubiales scandal. Luque was accused of coercion and involvement in the investigation after Rubiales was accused of kissing Spanish footballer Jenifer Hermoso without consent.
Reports revealed that Luque had sent critical messages about Hermoso during the scandal, further tarnishing his reputation.
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