In a stunning turn of events, Ayyoub Bouaddi, the talented midfielder who made a remarkable debut for Morocco against Brazil in the World Cup, has ignited discussions in France regarding his choice of national representation. The 18-year-old Lille player, who previously played for France at various youth levels up to the Under-21s, opted to represent Morocco in the World Cup, a decision that has drawn both criticism and controversy in his home country.
Jerôme Rothen, a former player and now an analyst for RMC Sport, has been particularly vocal about his disappointment regarding Bouaddi's decision. Rothen expressed his astonishment at the French national team coach Didier Deschamps' lack of action concerning Bouaddi. He stated, "When I hear the words of coach Didier Deschamps, it shocks me. Because I think we should not have waited to see what he did against Brazil to realize that he is a young talent who was ahead of his peers." Rothen emphasized that the responsibility lies with the national team's coaching staff, including Deschamps, to reach out to promising players like Bouaddi to encourage them to choose France as their national team.
Rothen boldly asserted that Bouaddi's skills surpass those of current French midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni, noting that he brings a unique set of attributes to the team compared to other midfielders such as Adrien Rabiot and Manu Koné. Bouaddi, who captained the French Under-21 team in the last international break before the World Cup, expressed that he is not focused on his future after his standout performance against Brazil. However, after not receiving any communication from Deschamps, he ultimately made the decision to represent Morocco on the international stage.
As reported by as.com.
