An 18-year-old midfielder just walked onto the biggest stage in football and made it look like a routine Tuesday training session. Ayyoub Bouaddi, representing Morocco at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, delivered a performance against Brazil that has Premier League heavyweights reaching for their checkbooks.
Bouaddi’s World Cup debut on June 13 in Morocco’s 1-1 draw with Brazil featured a pass completion rate exceeding 90%.
The kid who beat Real Madrid on his birthday
Bouaddi was born on October 2, 2007.
He became Lille OSC’s youngest player to reach 50 Ligue 1 appearances. He featured in Lille’s 2024 Champions League victory over Real Madrid on his 17th birthday.
