Club: Lille
Age: 18
Position: Midfielder
Caps: 4
Goals: 0
Capped for the first time just before the tournament, the teenage creator announced himself on the global stage with a standout display in midfield against Brazil.
Mixing diligent defensive work with graceful ball carrying and crisp, constant distribution, he completed 60 of 66 passes and so outplayed Casemiro that the Brazilian was substituted at half-time.
Head coach Mohamed Ouahbi was unsurprised, saying they always knew his level and held numerous meetings to persuade him to commit to Morocco.
Born in France to Moroccan parents, Bouaddi was representing France’s under-21s just three months ago before switching allegiance last month.
Despite being only 18, Bouaddi has already made 96 senior appearances for Lille.
Standing 6ft 1in, he’s a prodigy on and off the field: he finished the equivalent of A-levels a year early and is pursuing a mathematics degree alongside football, believing the mental training helps him read the game more quickly.