Moroccan defender Ait Boudlal earns high praise in France as Rennes star shines

Moroccan defender Abdelhamid Ait Boudlal continues to draw widespread admiration in France, with leading regional outlet Ouest France highlighting the 19-year-old as one of the standout defensive talents of the Ligue 1 season.

The publication reports that the Rennes centre-back strengthens his reputation each week and positions himself among the most promising players of his generation.

In its feature titled “Ait Boudlal, a Lion awakens at Stade Rennais,” Ouest France notes how the Moroccan international rises rapidly since arriving at Rennes in 2024.

The paper describes him as a revelation during the club’s first half of the campaign and one of the major surprises of the current championship.

The French outlet also explains that Ait Boudlal prepares to earn a place in Morocco’s squad for the AFCON on home soil, scheduled to begin on 21 December.

The report traces his journey from the Mohammed VI Academy, where he began six years earlier, to his present rise in Brittany with SRFC.

The article recalls his inclusion in The Guardian’s 2023 list of the world’s 60 best young footballers.

Although he did not join Morocco’s U20 squad for their world title earlier in the year, the publication states that his coaches consider him part of that golden generation.

He served as captain of the Young Lions before their autumn triumph but remained with Rennes because the tournament fell outside FIFA international dates.

Ouest France emphasises how the defender now steps into a new chapter as he earns his first senior call-up for Morocco.

The paper adds that the opportunity brings him closer to fulfilling a long-held dream: competing for his country at the AFCON.