Morocco youngster Ayyoub Bouaddi has been the talk of the World Cup after starring against Brazil, and Arsenal could face a battle for the talented teenager
Ayyoub Bouaddi has already shown Arsenal and other suitors what he can do with an impressive debut at the World Cup. However, one former Gunners star had a great idea of the Morocco starlet’s talents long before this week.
Olivier Giroud has been a team-mate of the young midfielder at Lille since 2025. The 39-year-old scored 105 goals for Arsenal before leaving in 2018 and is now regularly impressed by teenager Bouaddi – a player young enough to be his son.
The Times reported this week that Arsenal have begun talks over the youngster, who is under contract at Decathlon Arena until 2029. Bouaddi thrived in a youthful Morocco midfield as they took the lead in their World Cup 2026 opener against Brazil before being forced to settle for a draw.
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Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea are believed to be among a host of other clubs keen on Bouaddi, 18. This is unlikely to come as a surprise to Giroud, who waxed lyrical about his club colleague in a 2025 interview with Media Carre.
“There’s a 21-year age gap between Ayyoub and me, he’s a great guy on and off the pitch,” Giroud said. “Wow, he blew me away. He’s the one who amazes me the most on a daily basis, even if there are other good young players.
“The maturity he has, the thinking… Me, at 17, I was in the U19 national league, I was light years away from that.
“I call him my little one, but he is already a big boy, very mature, with extraordinary values. I really wish him a great career because he is a beautiful person in addition to being a top player.”
After his starring role against Brazil, Bouaddi was asked by The Athletic whether he planned to move to the Premier League this summer. “For the moment, I am only focused on the World Cup and I cannot answer to this right now,” he said.
“Of course, I’m really happy to know that some clubs are interested in me. But, for now, I’m only focused on the World Cup with Morocco and we will try to give everything to do our best.”
Bouaddi represented France, the country of his birth, all the way up to Under-21 level. However, he declared for Morocco earlier this year and is part of a talented squad under international boss Mohamed Ouahbi.
The 2022 semi-finalists will continue their World Cup campaign on Friday, when they take on Scotland in Foxborough. Ouahbi’s team will round off their group stage campaign against Haiti on June 24.
If Bouaddi and his team-mates top their group they would meet the runner-up from Group F in the round of 32. Sweden are in pole position there after one game, having beaten Tunisia 5-1 after the Netherlands and Japan drew 2-2.
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