|
Field |
Details |
|
Full Name |
Ayyoub Bouaddi |
|
Date of Birth |
October 2, 2007 |
|
Place of Birth |
Senlis, France |
|
Age (2026) |
18 years old |
|
Nationality |
French born, plays for Morocco |
|
Parents |
Hassan Bouaddi (father) and his Moroccan mother |
|
Religion |
Islam |
|
Height |
1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) |
|
Position |
Central / Defensive Midfielder |
|
Preferred Foot |
Right |
|
Current Club |
Lille (LOSC) |
|
Shirt Number |
32 |
|
Contract Until |
June 30, 2029 |
|
Estimated Net Worth |
$2 million to $4 million |
|
Estimated Market Value |
70 to 80 million euros |
|
Marital Status |
Single |
Net Worth and Salary
Icon Polls estimates that Ayyoub Bouaddi has a net worth of between 2 million and 4 million US dollars in 2026. That number might look small for a player drawing interest from Arsenal, Liverpool and Real Madrid, but it makes sense for a teenager who only put pen to his first professional contract back in August 2023.
His earnings come mainly from his Lille deal, which now runs all the way to June 2029 after he signed an extension in December 2025. He reportedly takes home around 270,000 euros per year before bonuses, a figure that is set to rise sharply the moment his next move is signed. Endorsement opportunities have also started to open up after his standout World Cup display, although he has stayed quiet on which brands he is talking to.
Parents
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Ayyoub was born in Senlis, a quiet town in northern France, but his roots run deep in Morocco. His father, Hassan Bouaddi, has played a big part in his football journey, signing him up at local academies from a very young age and driving him to training week after week.
His mother, who has chosen to stay out of the spotlight, has also been a steady support, especially during big moments like his signing as a youth player with Lille. Both parents are of Moroccan origin, and Ayyoub has often said in interviews that their values shaped the calm mentality he brings onto the pitch.
Religion
Ayyoub Bouaddi is a practising Muslim. Like many players from Moroccan families, his faith plays a part in his daily routine and his approach to football. He has been seen praying before kickoff and observes Ramadan during the season. He keeps this side of his life private, preferring to let his football do the talking instead of turning his beliefs into a public conversation.
World Cup
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The 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America was where Bouaddi truly arrived on the global stage. After choosing to represent Morocco over France in May 2026, a switch officially cleared by FIFA, he was handed his senior debut in the Atlas Lions opening match against Brazil on June 13, 2026.
The game finished 1-1 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, and many fans named him the man of the match. Playing at the base of midfield, he kept his composure against names like Casemiro, Bruno Guimaraes and Lucas Paqueta, dictating the tempo in a way nobody expected from an 18 year old on his first cap. Morocco continued their Group C campaign against Scotland on June 19 in Foxborough, with a final group stage clash against Haiti in Atlanta to follow.
Record
Bouaddi already has his name in the record books. On October 5, 2023, he made his senior debut for Lille against KI Klaksvik in the UEFA Europa Conference League. He was only 16 years and three days old at the time, which made him the youngest player ever to feature in a UEFA club competition match.
He also became the youngest player to appear in an official game for Lille, breaking a record that had been held by Joel Henry since 1978. Then on his 17th birthday, October 2, 2024, he started in Lille's famous 1-0 Champions League win over Real Madrid, a result that sent shockwaves through European football. Icon Polls sees this run of firsts as one of the cleanest examples of how the Lille academy keeps producing elite young talent.
Stats
The numbers from his World Cup debut alone tell a clear story. Against Brazil he made 87 touches, completed 60 of his 66 passes for a 91 percent accuracy rate, and finished with a perfect 100 percent pass completion in the final third. He added six recoveries, five interceptions, nine duels won and four tackles, all while marking some of the most experienced midfielders in the world.
On the club side, he has now racked up more than 60 Ligue 1 appearances for Lille, plus regular minutes in the Champions League and Conference League. He is right footed, stands 1.85 metres tall and wears the number 32 shirt at LOSC.
Nationality
By birth, Ayyoub Bouaddi is French. He grew up in Senlis and came through the French youth system, representing Les Bleus from under 16 all the way up to under 21 between 2022 and 2026. However, in May 2026 he made the decision to commit his senior international future to Morocco, the country of his parents.
The switch was a major moment for the Atlas Lions, who are building one of the strongest African squads in recent memory. He now holds the status of a France born Morocco international, with both passports on his side.
Transfer Values
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This is where the real noise sits in 2026. Lille value Bouaddi at around 70 to 80 million euros, with club president Olivier Letang publicly hinting that even 60 million is not enough. Public market trackers list him closer to 50 million euros, but reports show that Arsenal already had a 60 million euro bid turned down.
Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester United, Real Madrid, PSG, Atletico Madrid, RB Leipzig and Brighton have all been linked. Lille have a long history of selling high after developing top players, including Eden Hazard, Victor Osimhen and Jonathan David. Icon Polls believes any deal for Bouaddi could match or even beat the 80 million euros that Lille once received for Nicolas Pepe, especially if his World Cup form continues.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Ayyoub Bouaddi
1. Who is Ayyoub Bouaddi?
Ayyoub Bouaddi is a French born Moroccan professional footballer who plays as a central midfielder for Ligue 1 side Lille and the Morocco national team. He is widely seen as one of the most exciting young midfielders in world football right now.
2. How old is Ayyoub Bouaddi in 2026?
Ayyoub Bouaddi is 18 years old as of June 2026. He was born on October 2, 2007.
3. Where was Ayyoub Bouaddi born?
He was born in Senlis, a small town in the Hauts de France region in northern France. He spent much of his childhood in Creil before joining the Lille academy.
4. What is Ayyoub Bouaddi nationality?
He holds both French and Moroccan nationality. He was born in France but his parents are Moroccan. In May 2026 he chose to represent Morocco at senior level.
5. What is Ayyoub Bouaddi net worth in 2026?
Based on his contract, image rights and projected earnings, his net worth is estimated to be between 2 million and 4 million US dollars.
6. How much does Ayyoub Bouaddi earn at Lille?
Reports suggest he earns around 270,000 euros per year at Lille before bonuses and image rights. This figure is expected to rise quickly when he signs his next contract or completes a transfer.
7. Who are Ayyoub Bouaddi parents?
His father is Hassan Bouaddi, who guided him into football from an early age. His mother prefers a private life and has not been named publicly. Both are of Moroccan origin.
8. What is Ayyoub Bouaddi religion?
He is a Muslim. He observes Islamic practices including Ramadan and is often seen offering a quick prayer before matches.
9. What position does Ayyoub Bouaddi play?
He is a central midfielder who is also very effective as a defensive midfielder. He sits at the base of midfield, breaks up play and starts attacks with calm, accurate passing.
10. Why did Ayyoub Bouaddi choose Morocco over France?
He represented France from under 16 up to under 21 level, but he chose to play for Morocco at senior level in May 2026 to honour his family roots and join an Atlas Lions project he believes in.
11. What records does Ayyoub Bouaddi hold?
He is the youngest player ever to feature in a UEFA club competition match, debuting at 16 years and 3 days for Lille on October 5, 2023. He is also the youngest player ever to appear in an official match for Lille.
12. When did Ayyoub Bouaddi make his World Cup debut?
He made his FIFA World Cup debut for Morocco on June 13, 2026, in a 1-1 draw against Brazil at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
13. How tall is Ayyoub Bouaddi?
He stands 1.85 metres tall, which is about 6 feet 1 inch.
14. What is Ayyoub Bouaddi market value in 2026?
His market value sits at around 50 million euros on public trackers, but Lille are reportedly asking for 70 to 80 million euros, with a real chance the figure goes higher after his World Cup form.
15. Which clubs want to sign Ayyoub Bouaddi?
Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Paris Saint Germain, Atletico Madrid, RB Leipzig, Brighton and Aston Villa have all been linked. Arsenal reportedly had a 60 million euro bid rejected.
16. When does Ayyoub Bouaddi contract at Lille expire?
His current contract with Lille runs until June 30, 2029, following an extension signed on December 5, 2025.
17. What shirt number does Ayyoub Bouaddi wear?
He wears the number 32 shirt at Lille.
18. Does Ayyoub Bouaddi have social media?
He keeps a very low profile and does not run active public social media accounts. Icon Polls has not found any verified personal handle linked to him.
19. Is Ayyoub Bouaddi married or in a relationship?
He is single as of June 2026. He has never confirmed any public relationship and prefers to focus on his career.
20. Who does Ayyoub Bouaddi play alongside for Morocco?
He shares the Morocco squad with stars like Achraf Hakimi, Yassine Bounou, Sofyan Amrabat, Noussair Mazraoui, Brahim Diaz, Ismael Saibari and Ayoub El Kaabi.
21. How did Ayyoub Bouaddi perform against Brazil at the 2026 World Cup?
He was outstanding. He made 87 touches, completed 91 percent of his passes, hit 100 percent accuracy in the final third, and added six recoveries, five interceptions and nine duels won. Many fans named him man of the match.
22. What clubs has Ayyoub Bouaddi played for in his career so far?
He started at AFC Creil in 2012, joined the Lille academy in 2021, and broke into the Lille first team in 2023. He has played for France youth teams up to under 21 and now represents Morocco at senior level.