Ayoub Bouaddi has broken his silence over the ongoing tug-of-war between France and Morocco for his international allegiance, insisting he will take his time before committing to either side.
The 17-year-old Lille midfielder, who is currently part of France’s U21 set-up, addressed the situation with notable maturity in a recent interview, revealing that no decision has yet been made regarding his senior international future.
“For now, I’m with the French U21 team and I feel good,” Bouaddi told So Foot. “To be completely honest, my only decision at the moment is to give myself time to choose.”
The French-born teenager of Moroccan descent has been one of Ligue 1’s standout young performers this season, racking up 34 appearances across domestic and European competitions for LOSC.
While he has not been prolific in front of goal, his consistency and calm presence in midfield have underlined his status as one of the brightest talents in the 2007 generation.
Bouaddi has already earned admiration for how he handles the spotlight, staying grounded amid rising interest from both nations. Speaking earlier in the season to L’Équipe, he stressed his desire to make his own decisions without external influence. “Just like when I chose Lille, I will decide on my own,” he said.
That independence is clearly shaping his international journey. With Morocco intensifying their efforts—mirroring the strategies used to secure talents like Eliesse Ben Seghir, Bilal El Khannouss, and Chemsedine Talbi the North African nation remains hopeful of bringing the Lille prodigy into their fold.
The Moroccan Football Federation, led by Fouzi Lekjaa, has been active in reaching out to dual-nationality players, with Bouaddi now one of their highest priorities.
Despite these efforts, Bouaddi’s current involvement with the French youth set-up gives Les Bleus the upper hand—at least for now.
Born in Liévin, not far from Lille, and already integrated into France’s youth development pipeline, the young midfielder appears to be on a trajectory that could see him break into the senior team if his progress continues.
That said, Morocco remains in contention. With other European nations having previously lost dual-eligible talents to the Atlas Lions, Bouaddi’s case is far from settled.
While a switch to Morocco would be seen as a significant coup, the midfielder’s careful approach means any decision will not be made hastily or under pressure.
For now, Bouaddi is focused on continuing his development at club level. LOSC have provided him with a platform to shine, and with regular first-team football under his belt, his stock continues to rise.
The coming months could prove decisive, particularly if his performances earn him a senior France call-up—an opportunity that could sway his decision.
Whatever the outcome, Ayoub Bouaddi’s choice will be closely watched by both federations and fans alike. In an era where dual-nationality players hold increasing influence on the international stage, his eventual declaration could be a landmark moment for either France or Morocco. Until then, the rising star is making one thing clear: the decision is his alone, and he’s in no rush to make it.
View this post on Instagram
