It’s confirmed this Thursday evening. Ayyoub Bouaddi, the teenage midfield sensation from LOSC Lille, has made his international choice: he will represent Morocco, not France. The Royal Moroccan Football Federation has made the announcement official.
Ayyoub Bouaddi had the world at his feet — and two nations competing for his future. France, with its global prestige and World Cup pedigree. Morocco, with its growing ambition and the hunger of a nation chasing history. The 18-year-old LOSC midfielder chose the Atlas Lions. It is a bold, defining decision that confirms Morocco’s growing power of attraction on the European football scene. The Royal Moroccan Football Federation confirmed the news officially on Thursday evening, ending months of intense speculation.
For Morocco, this is a masterstroke. Bouaddi has been one of the most impressive midfielders in Ligue 1 this season at Lille — technically gifted, tactically intelligent, and remarkably mature for his age. With the Atlas Lions already qualified for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, they now add one of Europe’s most coveted young talents to their squad. For France, it is a significant blow: another home-grown gem chooses a different flag, underlining Morocco’s status as one of the most attractive international destinations for dual-nationality players.