The first time I heard Ayyoub Bouaddi’s name, it was during an interview with Paulo Fonseca back in 2023. Fonseca was coaching Lille at the time and had just given Ayyoub his European debut a week after his 16th birthday.
It was just a question about who was worth watching out for over the next few years, but Fonseca was reverential in his praise and was absolutely certain the Moroccan would make it to the top of the game.
He’s certainly headed in that direction; this has been another hugely impressive showing. It’s scarcely believable that Ayyoub won’t even turn 19 until October.
