Teenage prodigy Bouaddi strides imperiously onto World Cup stage
STRETCHING: Moroccan winder kid Ayyoub Bouaddi evades the lunging challenge of Brazil's Matheus Cunha in their 1-1 Worlkd Cup draw in New Jersey on Saturday. Pic: Hugo Rivera/Jam Media/Getty Images
For a teenager playing a first competitive international, Ayyoub Bouaddi looked completely at home as Morocco more than matched Brazil in their opening World Cup outing on Saturday.
The 18-year-old carried an imperious air as he moved relentlessly across the pitch, constantly looking for work in an eye-catching midfield performance that helped the North Africans hold the five-time world champions to a 1-1 draw in their Group C clash.
Frequently he would surge forward, the ball stuck to his feet and defenders bouncing off him, in an impressive display of power. The post-match statistics had him making more touches (86) than any of his teammates and with over 90% passing accuracy.
He has been a rising star for some while now at Lille in Ligue 1 and it is no wonder the Moroccans relentlessly pursued trying to persuade the French-born prodigy to switch international allegiance.
FIFA only approved the change on May 15 and Saturday’s clash was just the fourth cap for Bouaddi -- the first three for Morocco coming in their World Cup warm-up matches over the past three weeks.
Coach Mohamed Ouahbi made a bold choice in bringing him into an already well-established squad and starting Bouaddi against Brazil and afterwards could not hide his delight: “We knew what a quality player he was and that’s why we had many meetings to get him to choose to play for Morocco,” he told reporters.
Bouaddi made Morocco wait as he considered his choice, captaining France’s under-21 side as late as March before committing to the African team’s cause.
He had been firmly on the radar from the night of his 17th birthday, when he made a similarly elegant 90-minute entrance onto an imposing stage for Lille in their 1-0 Champions League victory against Real Madrid on October 2, 2024.
He was carried on the shoulders of his teammates at the final whistle, and then-coach Bruno Genesio predicted: “He's a very intelligent guy. He has the talent to play at this level. He needs to prove himself, but I don't think there's too much to worry about in that regard with him."
Off the field, Bouaddi has already proven an outstanding achiever, earning at 16 top honours in his science baccalaureate, a year ahead of schedule.
One year earlier, he had gone to the Élysée Palace and, in front of French first lady Brigitte Macron, won first prize in the youth academy's oratory competition, delivering his speech on the theme "Is the result superior to the method?".
Against Brazil, he showed exactly why he has become one of the most admired players in Europe.
Arsenal have begun talks to sign Bouaddi, the reported Sunday. It claimed Mikel Arteta has made the 18-year-old one of his targets this summer, although Lille are in no rush to sell and have valued him at about €70million. Arsenal, who have yet to open talks with the French club, face competition from Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea and other big clubs.
Arteta wants to rotate four midfielders next season: Declan Rice, Martín Zubimendi, Myles Lewis-Skelly and a new signing. The Arsenal manager cooled interest in Mateus Fernandes, the West Ham United midfielder who seems set to join Manchester United after Real Madrid indicated they would not make a formal approach.
“I’m really happy to know that some clubs are interested in me,” he told The Athletic after the Brazil game, “but for now I’m only focused on the World Cup and we will try to give everything to do our best.” Morocco’s next group C game is against Scotland on Friday.
Man Utd are prioritising midfield reinforcements and Bouaddi is also said to be a player of interest to the club. Arsenal have also been mentioned to be in the running for his services.
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