Young Soccer Star Rayane Bounida Weighs National Team Options Between Belgium and Morocco

While Morocco and Belgium are fighting to secure his services, Rayane Bounida is struggling to decide on his sporting nationality. Captain of the Belgian U-18 national team, he has scored 4 goals in 11 matches in 2022. "Already captain in several matches with the U19 black yellow red, he has also done a training camp with the Moroccan youth teams," recalls La Dernière Heure, adding that the young Belgian talent of Moroccan origin has chosen to return to the Belgian selection during this international break. A hope for the duo Vermant-Gillet, at the head of the team. It remains to be seen whether the leaders of the Red Devils will succeed in convincing him to choose Belgium as his sporting nationality.

In an interview for Sporza, Bounida came back on the extension of his contract with Ajax. Arrived at Ajax Amsterdam in 2022 from Anderlecht, he signed in February last year with the Ajax first team for three years, with an option for an additional season. "I was quite worried," he confesses. "I understand that people wondered where I was. Everyone follows their own path. I never compared myself to others, but I always hoped that my patience would be rewarded."

After the extension of his contract, the 19-year-old player is aiming high: "Next year, I hope to become a permanent member of the A team. It would be great to play the Champions League and be able to please the public".