The Belgian Union sensed the storm approaching and acted accordingly. The Belgian and Moroccan football federations are currently waging an intensive fight for Rayane Bounida, the 19-year-old prodigy from Jong Ajax and previously from Anderlecht.
The technically gifted midfielder, who played for Belgium’s youth teams, faces a difficult choice: will he remain loyal to the country where he grew up, or will he choose his parents’ roots ?
After a few years of adaptation, Rayane Bounida really starting to stand out within Jong Ajax. With three goals in his last three games, he shows that he is ready for a breakthrough at the highest level.
His talent was never in question, but at the age of 16 he was still considered too frail and small. Now he looks physically and mentally ready to take the next step in his career.
Morocco is doing everything possible
The Belgian football federation is trying to do everything possible to keep Bounida on board. He has already been probed about his plans, because they absolutely want to avoid a new case Mile Svilar. He was also called up once for Serbia, played a friendly match and now can’t come back, even if he wanted to.
Apparently, the Belgian Union is holding discussions to convince him not to change his sporting nationality. On the other hand, the Moroccan football federation is also making strenuous efforts to convince Bounida to join them.
With the success of the Moroccan national team at the 2022 World Cup, where they reached the semi-finals, the Moroccan federation is trying to woo him with the prospect of participating in future major tournaments. For Morocco, the choice of Bounida would be a real asset.
Despite his status as Belgian by birth, his Moroccan origins remain an important aspect of his identity. For him, the choice is not only about sporting prospects, but also about loyalty and culture. In previous interviews, he has said that both countries have a special place in his heart, which doesn’t make the decision any easier.
Bounida progressing at Ajax
Bounida’s talent was visible from a young age. At age 11, he signed a sponsorship deal with Nike, thanks in part to his viral YouTube videos showing off his exceptional technique. His move to Ajax in 2021 was an important step in his development, although the transfer did not particularly enchant Anderlecht. The club signed him on an impressive salary, giving him the opportunity to learn in an environment renowned for developing technically refined players.
A special role in his story is played by Abdelhak Nouri, a former Ajax player and Bounida’s idol. Nouri’s tragic story motivated Bounida to pursue his own dreams at Ajax.
The choice of Bounida goes beyond a simple personal decision. For the Belgian football federation, it would be a big loss if one of their most promising talents chose Morocco.
The coming months will be crucial for Rayane Bounida. As he continues to shine at Jong Ajax, he will have to make a decision regarding his international future. And also his future at club, because his contract with Ajax ends at the end of the season. For now, the question remains: will he choose the Red Devils or the Atlas Lions?
