Who is Morocco's teenage sensation who is already becoming a Premier League transfer target?

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"Spirit will carry us through"

Captain Andy Robertson confident of Scottish progression

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2026's one to watch 

There was much to enjoy from the African side's opener against Brazil last week. 

Much has been said about Morocco in the lead-up to the tournament, where they are seen as the leading nation from that continent, and even calling them dark horses seems to underplay the current crop. 

And they proved in the first half against Carlo Ancelotti's men that they are very much a team capable of making serious waves in North America. 

A side full of clever movement, with zip and drive, they will no doubt cause problems for both Scotland and Haiti in their other two group games. 

In the centre of the team, one name particularly stood out, in a way only a World Cup these players seem to.

18-year-old Ayyoub Bouaddi showed maturity beyond his tender years, and got the better of an area where he came face-to-face with international pros such as Casemiro and Bruno Guimaraes. So much so, that Casemiro was taken off at half-time. 

It was a sit-up-and-take-notice performance, and it has catapulted him to the top of Premier League shopping lists. 

Where has Bouaddi come from?Getty

A standout star in the French youth ranks, Bouaddi made his debut for Lille in 2023 at the age of 16 and has since gone on to become the youngest player to record 50 appearances in Ligue 1. 

Didier Deschamps wanted the midfielder to continue progressing in France's system, but Morocco saw an opportunity and convinced the teenager to switch allegiance to a country where his family has its origins, dangling the carrot of a World Cup place to seal the deal. 

Now, Bouaddi, who thought he'd be watching the finals on TV this summer, is the talk of the tournament after his assured performance in the 1-1 draw against one of the tournament's elite teams. 

He completed 91 per cent of his passes during the clash with the South Americans, including all 16 in the attacking third, showing his ability not just as a number 6 but also further up the field. 

It's those kind of attributes that could see him become the next World Cup star to earn a big move. 

Getty

Is the Premier League calling?

"Ayyoub Bouaddi was playing a No.6/No.8 role, not panicking when he got the ball in his own box. He was dribbling, he was passing at the right time.

"He's a typical Arsenal player, I have to say." Dutch great Rafael van der Vaart told AceOdds.com after watching him against Brazil, and it's no shock that the Premier League champions have already been linked. 

They are not the only ones credited with an interest, however. Manchester United, who are constantly in need of midfield reinforcements, have taken notice of the teenager, while some reports suggest Real Madrid had already been tracking his progress. 

Then there's PSG. The French giants could be ready to hoover up the latest domestic talent and add him to the all-conquering ranks.

With the Scotland game up next, more focus will be on Bouaddi than ever, but expect him to take it in his stride, as he has done with everything else so far in his career. A career that's set to explode this summer. 

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