Young midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi burst onto the World Cup stage with a 1-1 draw against Brazil, recording 87 touches and 60 passes. Lille teammate Olivier Giroud praised his maturity, comparing him to Kylian Mbappé. Bouaddi’s performance shows the depth Morocco enjoys in midfield and signals a bright future for the 18‑year‑old of talent soon appears.

Selected for Morocco over France, Bouaddi posted a nostalgic Instagram post of a 2018 World Cup shirt, underscoring his pride in heritage. His choice echoes a growing trend of dual‑national players prioritising roots. The decision bolsters Morocco’s squad depth as the team prepares for a tight group stage against South America in 2026 tournament analysis.

His debut also highlighted his work ethic. Former Creil coach Sofiane Khair noted Bouaddi never ate fast food and spent time reading or studying maths. That discipline translates onto the pitch, where he won nine duels against Brazil’s elite, including a decisive win over Casemiro, who entered halftime after the teenager’s display in the match.

Still chasing his first senior goal, Bouaddi continues to refine finishing, a skill Giroud says needs improvement. Meanwhile, Lille’s record as youngest debutant at 16 and 50 Ligue 1 appearances at 18 fuels rumors of a high‑profile move. Morocco’s coach Mickael Delestrez sees him as a future cornerstone amid a squad hungry for glory in 2026 World Cup.