Zinedine Zidane has made an immediate impression at the start of his tenure as France manager, securing three victories and one draw across his first four matches while introducing six debutants, including defenders Andi Diouf, Jérémy Jacquet, and Lenny Yoro alongside midfielder Lucas Da Cunha, according to sports.fr. Yet that positive opening sequence has been overshadowed by a major missed opportunity in central midfield: Ayoub Bouaddi.

Born in Senlis to a Moroccan family and raised in Creil, Bouaddi came through LOSC Lille’s academy and made his professional debut at just 16 years and three days old, progressing through every French youth category from under-16 to under-21. However, with the World Cup approaching, the young midfielder ultimately chose to represent Morocco rather than wait for a senior call-up from France.

The Cost of Waiting and the World Cup Decision

Observers have directed sharp criticism at Didier Deschamps for failing to secure Bouaddi before he committed to the Atlas Lions. Pierre Ménès asserted in a YouTube video that Deschamps informing Bouaddi he would not play at the World Cup heavily influenced the player’s choice. Ménès noted that while Bouaddi termed it a choice of the heart, it was also a sporting decision, adding that France should have called him up earlier to prevent the switch.

During the World Cup, journalist Daniel Riolo reported that Zinedine Zidane personally contacted the teenager to ask him to be patient, telling him, “I like you but I can’t promise you anything.” Despite initial intentions to favor France, the immediate prospect of playing in the tournament tipped the balance toward Morocco.

Dave Apadoo suggested that failing to lock down a talent suited to Zidane’s tactical vision will likely become a lasting regret for French football. Apadoo remarked that Bouaddi appears destined for a very high level and seemed custom-made for the project Zidane is building.

Premier League Impact and Manchester City Rotations

Since making his high-profile move, Bouaddi has quickly adapted to English football. Yahoo Actualités reported that his performances at Manchester City earned praise from Brazilian legend Romário, who told Spanish newspaper Marca that the 18-year-old impressed him with his constant movement, ball retention, and exceptional maturity.

Bouaddi made an impact during a Premier League fixture against Ipswich Town, registering an assist for Erling Haaland’s 100th Premier League goal and executing a remarkable 50-meter run from his own corner flag past Chuba Akpom and Jack Clarke before being fouled by Leif Davis. Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca praised the midfielder as a “formidable” player following his contributions off the bench.

Managerial rotation has since shaped Bouaddi’s immediate schedule. Maresca left Bouaddi on the bench during City’s 5-1 Champions League victory against AEK Athens at the Etihad Stadium. Maresca explained that he rested several key figures—including Erling Haaland, Iliman Ndiaye, Jérémy Doku, Marc Guéhi, and Bouaddi—to manage a demanding fixture list and keep the entire squad competitive.

Transfer Market Regrets and Champions League Emergence

Manchester City’s investment in Bouaddi also drew reflections from rivals. Rio Ferdinand expressed public regret after watching Bouaddi perform under pressure during a Champions League fixture against Paris Saint-Germain. Ferdinand revealed that Manchester United pursued the teenager, but the valuation—equaling the combined fees of Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans—proved too high, leaving him so disgusted to see City secure the signature.