Ayoub Bouaddi is starting at the World Cup alongside the last World Cup semi-finalist at the age of 18. Is this common now or is it important not to forget about it?
Olivier Letang : You are right to point this out. I will add that Ayoub played his first international match for selection during the Morocco-Brazil match (editor’s note: First group match for Atlas Lions; 1-1). It’s not neutral. On the other hand, despite his 18 years, Ayoub is a boy who has already played more than a hundred matches at the highest level. He played in Ligue 1 and featured in Champions League, Europa League and Europa Conference League campaigns. He is the youngest player to start a European Cup match. So he is very young, but he already has significant experience. Having accompanied him for more than three years, he became an extraordinary boy, different in all dimensions. He is one of the real athletes, such as Victor Vembanyama, Paul Seixas, Leon Marchand or Kylian Mbappe.
You were just at MetLife Stadium for the Brazil-Morocco match. Are you still surprised by your player?
PR : To be honest, I was not surprised, because, I repeat, we know each other very, very well, we have a very strong relationship. When you meet Ayyub every day, you know who he is, what he is capable of… So I was not at all surprised. He has a very significant reserve for improvement from an athletic point of view, and it is huge.
He is a boy of extraordinary maturity and intelligence.
Do you remember the first time someone talked to you about Ayub Bouaddi?
PR : No, on the other hand, I remember the first time I saw him. I already knew him, but I saw him in LOSC youth matches. This type of player only needs a few minutes to see and understand.
Do you immediately understand that you are dealing with a future great?
PR : Yes, as soon as I saw it. I went to watch our Pro 2 team’s last friendly in August 2023 and he came on as a substitute. I asked why he was replaced and they answered: “President, he is only 15 years old.” To which I replied: “But I don’t care that he’s only 15. He’s the strongest, he deserves to play, so he should play!”
If we ask you to tell us about a discussion you had with him off the field that made you say he was different?
PR : There are so many of them. We had and still have a lot of discussions on many topics, not just the football aspect. Management, play, intelligence, education, study, religion… He is a boy of extraordinary maturity and intelligence.
With him, exchanges are sincere, fair and humane.
The match against Real Madrid at Pierre-Mauroy in the Champions League (2 October 2024, 1-0, the same day Bouaddi celebrated his 17th birthday) obviously left its mark. Do you remember how you experienced this match in the stands? You knew his qualities, but are we not hallucinating that at this age the game is so perfect?
PR : This match is a masterpiece for LOSC, for the managers, staff, players and also for the entire community. At that time, Real Madrid were European champions and were unbeaten in thirty-six matches. The maturity of the club and team was great. Ayyub was true to who he is. Simple, calm, strong. He balanced the team on his 17th birthday…
When you realized it was different, did you try to create something new with LOSC to better support it?
PR : It’s very simple because he is very smart and listens, so we share. The exchange is sincere, fair and humane. The most important thing is to stand firmly on your feet and, above all, to persevere. What he did was good, but he should and will do much more and better. To do this you need to stay humble, keep working and be very ambitious.
What is his greatest strength on the field? And his greatest strength off the field?
PR : His intelligence, his calmness and clarity of mind.
Ayoub Bouaddi of Morocco during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Group C match between Scotland and Morocco at Boston Stadium on June 20, 2026 in Foxborough, USA.
Photo: Getty Images
He shines on the field, but is quite reserved off it: to get to know him better, how would you like to tell the story of the young man Ayoub Bouaddi?
PR : It’s very simple: one of my former coaches received a call from one of the largest clubs in the world. When asked what he thought of Ayyub, the answer was: “If you have a son, you dream of a son like Ayyub.” That says it all.
Is an environment that appears healthy also a key element?
PR : Of course, it is very important to stay focused on your work and your project.
You have known many players during your career. Does Ayoub Bouaddi remind you of anyone in terms of maturity, personality, talent?
PR : No, it is unique.
Could he have consulted you when choosing a candidate, despite the pressure that was around him?
PR : Of course, we have talked about this several times, but I will keep our conversations confidential.
He has 96 appearances for LOSC. Without any purpose. Have you ever kindly reminded him?
PR : We often talk about this with laughter and without pressure.
Ayoub Bouaddi (LOSC).
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On the amount of a possible transfer: “How much were Anderson and Tonalli sold for?”
How many offers for his transfer have you received over the past two years?
PR : Many clubs are interested in him, but few can afford him today. He is already one of the best midfielders in the world and still has room for improvement. He is only 18 years old and his whole future is ahead of him. He is focused on continuing to grow and win at everything.
RMC announced four days ago that you expect between 80 and 100 million euros for its sale: true or false?
PR : How to answer this question… Did I speak, raised the topic, gave a figure? No, never. You have to look at your level. How much were players like (Elliott) Anderson (editor’s note: valued at €135m from Nottingham Forest to Manchester City) or (Sandro) Tonali (editor’s note: valued at €115m from Newcastle to Tottenham) who are much older (editor’s note: 23 and 26 respectively) but have no room to progress, so you have an idea values Ayoub, who has a unique profile, is only 18 years old.
Potential, intelligence, humility, calmness, style of play: let’s end with a portrait of the robot Ayoub Bouaddi…
PR : I could quote Rodri, Sergio Busquets, (Johan) Cruyff, (Albert) Einstein, (Lothar) Matthäus, etc. But Ayyub is unique and himself, so he should not be compared.