The 18-year-old LOSC Lille prodigy, Ayyoub Bouaddi, has ultimately decided to represent Morocco national football team, turning his back on France national under-21 football team despite earning eight caps at youth level. After months of hesitation and intense discussions with the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, the talented midfielder will wear the Atlas Lions jersey at the next international break—dealing a blow to Didier Deschamps.
A key figure for Lille with already 91 appearances in all competitions, Bouaddi has established himself as a cornerstone of the northern club despite his young age. Speaking to Téléfoot, he openly acknowledged areas for improvement, particularly his lack of attacking output: zero goals and just one assist in club football this season. “I score less than with the national team… I need to be more decisive in the final third,” he admitted, determined to improve his impact in crucial moments.
A heartfelt choice after a long tug-of-war
Long torn between France and Morocco, Bouaddi carefully avoided rushing his decision. “I don’t want to rush—it has to come naturally,” he said in March, stressing the importance of making a personal decision involving family and close advisors, free from pressure or deadlines. Courted by the Royal Moroccan Football Federation despite the instability following the 2025 AFCON and the resignation of Walid Regragui, he was ultimately convinced by Morocco after several meetings with federation officials. A dramatic twist occurred in March: initially expected to join the Atlas Lions under Mohamed Ouahbi, his call-up fell through due to administrative issues, temporarily sending him back to the French U21 squad for Euro qualification matches against Luxembourg and Iceland. Meanwhile, Didier Deschamps kept his distance: “I haven’t spoken with him—that’s not how I operate,” he said, leaving the player free to decide amid fierce competition in the French senior squad.
A boost for Morocco ahead of the 2026 World Cup
This decision comes as part of the race toward the 2026 FIFA World Cup (June 11–July 19), where Morocco aims to make a strong impact. With his talent and pedigree—including a semi-final run at the 2025 U21 European Championship—Bouaddi strengthens an already ambitious Atlas Lions side. France, meanwhile, loses a promising dual-national talent of Moroccan origin, while Lille continues to benefit from a rising star already shining in Ligue 1. The question now remains whether this choice will elevate his international career to the next level.