Morocco midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi names Andres Iniesta as childhood idol

Manchester City midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi has revealed that former Barcelona and Spain star Andres Iniesta was his biggest football inspiration growing up, admitting he regularly watched videos of the legendary playmaker’s skills as a child.

The 19-year-old Moroccan joined City from Lille in August on a five-year contract in a reported £85.6 million deal, with the Premier League champions viewing him as an important part of their plans for the future.

Despite his young age and limited appearances, Bouaddi has already shown glimpses of his quality, attracting attention with his composure on the ball, technical ability and vision in midfield.

Asked about the players who influenced his development, the youngster singled out Iniesta, whose intelligence, close control and ability to dictate games made him one of the finest midfielders of his generation.

“The player I watched? Andres Iniesta. He was the player I followed the most. I didn’t watch him play that much, but whenever I did, he was incredible,” Bouaddi said.

He explained that online football compilations played a major role in shaping his admiration for the former Barcelona captain, allowing him to study his movement and technical qualities even when he could not watch him live.

“I grew up with the generation of YouTube compilations. When I was a child, I watched videos of Iniesta’s skills on YouTube every day,” he added.

Iniesta enjoyed a distinguished career at Barcelona, winning multiple La Liga and UEFA Champions League titles while becoming a central figure in Spain’s international success. His performances in midfield established him as a role model for young players seeking to combine technical excellence with tactical intelligence.

Bouaddi also clarified his preferred position, explaining that although he has been deployed in different defensive roles, midfield remains his natural home.

“I’ve always been a midfielder. I’ve played at centre-back and even at right-back last season, but first and foremost, I’m a midfielder,” he said.

The Moroccan’s versatility could prove valuable as he continues adapting to the demands of English football, but his comments underline his desire to establish himself as a creative force in the middle of the park.

Bouaddi made his first Premier League start in Manchester City’s 3-2 victory over Ipswich on October 17, having earlier provided an assist against Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League.

His performances have earned him growing opportunities, with manager Enzo Maresca increasingly trusting the teenager to contribute to the team’s attacking play.

With Iniesta serving as his childhood inspiration, Bouaddi will hope to develop into a midfielder capable of influencing matches through his technique, intelligence and creativity as he continues his journey at Manchester City.