He Didn't Impress Me Tonight – Morocco Coach Mohamed Ouahbi Cools Bouaddi Hype Slug

Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahbi has downplayed the growing hype surrounding teenage sensation Ayyoub Bouaddi, insisting that the youngster's latest performance was simply another display of the quality he already expects from him.

Speaking after the match, Ouahbi said Bouaddi did not particularly impress him on the night because the midfielder has already proven his talent on several occasions.

"He didn't impress me tonight because we already know what a player he is," Ouahbi stated.

The coach revealed that Morocco invested significant effort in convincing Bouaddi to represent the national team, holding several meetings with the highly-rated prospect before securing his commitment.

"We had a lot of meetings with him to get him to choose Morocco, and he was good. He already has a lot [of experience] in Ligue 1, it's not just about his age, he has already played more matches than others [older than him], more matches in the Champions League."

Despite being only 18 years old, Bouaddi has already built an impressive résumé. He has accumulated valuable experience in Ligue 1 and has featured regularly in the UEFA Champions League, competing at a level many older players have yet to reach.

Ouahbi also highlighted Bouaddi's standout performances at club level, including Lille's memorable victory over Real Madrid, as evidence of the youngster's maturity and quality.

"There was also the masterclass against Real Madrid [a 1-0 victory for Lille in March 2024], and so he may only be 18, but he already has a lot of experience accumulated."

While fans and pundits continue to celebrate Bouaddi's rapid rise, Ouahbi's comments suggest that those within the Moroccan setup view his performances as the standard rather than the exception.

For Morocco and Ouahbi, the message is clear: Bouaddi's talent is no longer a surprise—it's an expectation.