Ayyoub Bouaddi was selected with the French youth team but is eligible with Morocco, confirming on Sunday that he has not yet made his final choice. The Lille player wants to take his time.
The captain of the French youth team on Thursday against Luxembourg – a first – Ayyoub Bouaddi finds himself at a crossroads in his very young career. The 18-year-old player is being heavily courted by Morocco, but he was called up with the French team for this gathering to play the two Euro Youth Championship qualification matches. Before facing Iceland this Monday (7pm in Auxerre), the Lille player was asked about his future in the national team. “For now, I haven’t made a choice. After all, the national team is a major decision in a career. I’m giving myself some time. I don’t want to rush things,” he assured at a press conference, as reported by L’Équipe.
“There is no deadline. It’s a personal choice, one of the heart. There’s also family to consider and what loved ones wish. There’s no pressure about it,” he added.
The youth team coach, Gérald Baticle, assured that the player “will listen to his heart” when announcing his final choice. “Ayyoub (Bouaddi), we’re talking about a player who has been with us a lot. We have direct communication and there is no charm,” said the former Angers coach. “For Ayyoub, even if things are going very well, he will listen to his heart. I hope and wish with all my heart that he will remain with the French team. Because I love the player, the potential he has, and I want to see him wear the blue jersey and lead France to future titles. He is still very young. But if he chooses another jersey, it’s his choice. I would like to have the arguments and the strength of conviction, I’m doing what I can and I would like to succeed. But the decision is his.”
On his part, Didier Deschamps stressed the importance of letting the player use his free will. “I saw that Bouaddi was not selected by Morocco. He has the freedom to choose, I will not take that away from him. I haven’t spoken with him, I will not change my way of working. Obviously, we follow his performances but there is very strong competition.”
