Ayyoub Bouaddi #6

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One of the most sought-after talents in Ligue 1, Bouaddi made his senior debut for Lille in the Conference League aged 16 years and three days, making him the youngest player in the history of Uefa’s club competitions. Not only does the midfielder possess a composure beyond his years, but he is also a very astute student. In June 2023 he won the French football academies’ eloquence competition held at Paris’s Elysée Palace in front of the first lady, Brigitte Macron. He went on to obtain his high school diploma and is now studying for a degree in maths and physics. According to Bruno Génésio, his Lille coach, Bouaddi “must be protected from what surrounds him, in order to bring him to the highest level. He’s got such big potential. It is rare to come across players of his age with the qualities that he has.” After the teenager represented his native France from Under-16 to Under-21 level, Morocco won the battle for his international allegiance.

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