Rising French-Moroccan Soccer Star at Center of National Team Tug-of-War

While he has just been called up to the France Espoirs team to play two friendly matches in November, the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) is trying to convince him to join the Atlas Lions.

This tug-of-war is explained by the exceptional performances of the young Lille prodigy, who notably shone in the Champions League against Real Madrid and Juventus. His precocious talent had already attracted the attention of France, which had surpassed him in the U20s last month for a friendly match against Morocco. A tricolor international since the U16s, Bouaddi has 17 caps and 2 goals to his name.

"He has demonstrated all the potential, all the talent he has. We know what he is capable of. He is a boy with a very well-made head. He has the talent to play at this level. We have to know how to confirm, but I don’t think there is too much to worry about on that side with him," said his Lille coach, Bruno Génésio, after the victory against Real Madrid.

For now, the young man finds himself facing a choice that is surely very difficult to make, but Morocco has a strong power of dissuasion.