At just 17 years old, Ayyoub Bouaddi, the rising star at Lille, has become the center of a fierce battle between the Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) and the French Football Federation (FFF) over his international future.
The midfielder, who has made 13 appearances for Lille this season across all competitions, recently earned his first two caps for France’s Under-21 team.
However, despite this milestone with Les Bleus, Bouaddi has not ruled out representing Morocco, the country of his heritage.
According to Moroccan media outlet Hespress, the FRMF has taken significant steps to bring Bouaddi into their fold, including securing a Moroccan national identity card for the young player.
The next step for Morocco is to obtain a national passport for Bouaddi, further solidifying their case.
However, the FFF is not standing idly by. Reports indicate that France’s national technical directorate (DTN) is actively pressuring the player to commit to the French national team.
This pressure reportedly extends to Lille, with the French federation leveraging its influence to ensure Bouaddi remains on their radar.
Bouaddi’s in a dilemma over nationality decision
Caught between two nations, Bouaddi faces a decision that could shape his footballing career.
While his immediate focus remains on his development at Lille, where he aims to solidify his reputation as one of Ligue 1’s brightest prospects, the choice of national allegiance looms large.
For now, it appears likely that he will continue representing France at youth levels until the time comes to make a definitive choice at senior level.
The FRMF, however, is not without hope. With Morocco’s growing prominence on the international stage—highlighted by their recent successes—they remain an attractive option for dual-nationality players.
Lessons from the Past
This situation is reminiscent of Adil Rami’s experience. The former France international revealed that he initially wanted to play for Morocco but was pressured by his then-club coach, Claude Puel, to commit to Les Bleus instead.
While Rami went on to enjoy a successful career with France, including winning the World Cup in 2018, the dynamics have shifted in recent years.
Today, the Atlas Lions are a formidable force, capable of competing with the world’s best.
Securing Bouaddi would not only bolster their squad but also send a clear signal of their growing appeal to emerging talents with Moroccan roots.
For now, Bouaddi’s future remains undecided, with Morocco and France both eager to secure his allegiance.
Whatever the outcome, the young midfielder’s decision will undoubtedly shape the next chapter of his promising career.
