Most 17-year-olds celebrate their birthday with cake. Ayyoub Bouaddi celebrated his by starting in central midfield for LOSC Lille against Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League, then walking off the pitch with a 1-0 win.
The Moroccan midfielder, born on October 2, 2007, made his Champions League debut on October 2, 2024, the exact day he turned 17. He posted a 91% pass accuracy rate, completing 60 of 66 attempted passes against the reigning European champions. The Lille ultras serenaded him with “Joyeux Anniversaire” after the final whistle.
A performance that rewrote his price tag
Bouaddi contributed multiple ball recoveries, operating as both a defensive shield and a creative outlet from central midfield alongside Lille captain Benjamin André.
Born in Senlis, France, to Moroccan parents, Bouaddi switched his international allegiance to Morocco ahead of the 2026 World Cup. His current market value sits at approximately €46.8 million. For a player who only just turned 18 (as of mid-2026), that figure is remarkable.
