Lamine Yamal’s Boot Flags Spark Debate in Spain

Spanish star Lamine Yamal drew attention after scoring within 10 minutes in Spain’s 4-0 win over Saudi Arabia on Sunday, but the bigger talking point was a small detail on his boots. Observers in Spain and Israel noticed the flags of Morocco and Equatorial Guinea, which appeared to overshadow his performance.

The article says Yamal also wore those flags in Spain’s opening match against Cape Verde and at the previous European Championship, treating them like a personal lucky charm. The extra flags are a custom add-on made to order, and they do not appear on the version of his boots sold in stores.

The choice triggered criticism from some Spaniards, who argued that he was showing too much identification with other countries. “He does not feel Spanish,” one critic said. “There is no other explanation. It is disrespectful to the national team.”

At Euro 2024, the article notes, Yamal’s boots included the Spanish flag alongside the flags of Morocco and Equatorial Guinea. The piece frames the boot design as a minor detail that became a broader national debate around the Barcelona and Spain winger.