Ayyoub Bouaddi Is Lille’s Next Great Young Talent

Leny Yoro’s remarkable achievements in the 2023-24 season have captured considerable acclaim, and Bouaddi is poised to follow suit as the next promising young talent to emerge at Lille.

Last summer, Bouaddi inked his first professional contract, swiftly ascending to the first-team squad shortly after. The teenager made his debut for Lille’s senior team on October 5, 2023, during a UEFA Conference League group stage encounter against club KÍ, which ended in a goalless draw.

At just 16 years and three days old, he made history as the youngest player to ever participate in a European club competition game. He also became the youngest player to appear in an official match for Lille, surpassing Joël Henry’s record set in 1978.

Coming off the player’s making history with his first team debut, Lille manager Paulo Fonseca highlighted key traits that he noticed from Bouaddi.

“I think we have gained a player for the future. He played with a lot of courage, quality, and personality. I am very, very satisfied with his performance [on October 5, 2023]. What did I tell him? Simply to play with confidence and concentration.”

Lille continues to integrate Bouaddi into the first team. On Sunday, he made his first Ligue 1 start in the scoreless draw against Montpellier HSC. 

During the contest, the midfielder also set a dubious record by receiving a red card, making him the youngest player in Ligue 1 over the last 30 years at just 16 years and 118 days. Bouaddi surpassed Rayan Cherki’s record when the Olympique Lyonnais star, age 17 years and 111 days, received his red card during a league match.

Bouaddi is gaining valuable insights from these experiences despite being sent off, paving the way for him to become the upcoming Ligue 1 talent everyone will notice.