Two years ahead in selection, one year ahead at school. Fourth youngest player in the history of L1, a high school graduate at 16 with first class honors, Ayyoub Bouaddi is used to reaching the stages quickly and has just added a new one to his list of achievements. After the youth selections, the Lille midfielder returned to Clairefontaine where he had just been called up by Gérald Baticle with the Espoirs.
The coach had ticked the Lille player’s name at the top of his list for this gathering, certainly impressed by his performances in the Champions League against Real Madrid or Juventus Turin. Ayyoub Bouaddi is also a head that functions as well as his feet.
Since the start of the school year, another part of the boy’s life has been a challenge. Very ahead at school and even winner of the training center eloquence competition, the final of which took place at the Élysée, the native of Senlis chose to continue his studies by starting a degree in mathematics. A course that he completes online for several hours per week and depending on the number of Losc matches.
“In my daily life in Lille, we have training in the morning and in my free time I can do what I want. I wanted to continue my studies because it allows me to improve my free time to learn. This is also part of the way I was educated by my family, explains Ayyoub Bouaddi. When you study on the side, it allows you to keep your mind sharp. For me, math can help me understand the game more quickly, especially tactically. »
This mathematics degree which projects it over three years, the neo Espoirs organizes it à la carte. Sometimes two hours in the afternoon or more, sometimes during a tutoring session set up by the club and which concerns several young people from the training center. All of these studious hours should lead him to exams at the end of May-beginning of June, when the season will barely be over.
“I find it interesting to have a well-shaped head with a well-shaped body. It can only be a plus in his life but also in his football to have game intelligence. He is motivated, he wants to learn and obtain diplomas. As long as he manages to combine the quality of his work and the energy he has to learn, it’s great,” commented Gérald Baticle, who placed the person at the top of his list of environments he wanted to observe. in the perspective of the Euro. Which will be played out in the wake of young Bouaddi’s exams (from June 21 to July 8).
Last season, he made his club’s history by becoming the youngest player to play professionally, before becoming the youngest to enter a European match. Early and already followed by the best English clubs, he is ready to break down many barriers.