Rayane Bounida, if you have followed football and social networks for some time, you have already heard of him. 10 years ago, when he was barely 8 years old, this young Belgian was featured everywhere on YouTube videos. While he was playing at Anderlecht, videos of his impressive dribbles and goals received thousands of views. Described as the last nugget of Belgium, Rayane Bounida amazed everyone with her technical quality well above average. But it's difficult to get an idea of the player's potential at only 8 years old. Especially since before him, hundreds of children had been put forward without always being successful.
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However this time, after this early notoriety, the little phenomenon of Moroccan origin climbed the ranks slowly but surely. While he already had more than 500,000 subscribers on his social networks, Bounida continued to shine without burning his wings. Its potential has become more and more serious. Because after having had fun with the U9s, U11s and U13s, the recruiters began to seriously look into his case. And with the sporting downgrade of Anderlecht in the country, its training club quickly became too small. Tracked by the biggest clubs in Europe and in particular PSG, Rayane Bounida decided in 2022 to leave Anderlecht to sign for Ajax Amsterdam.
A nugget that didn't burn its wings
To make him leave the Belgian team, Ajax offered him a 3-year professional contract when he turned 16 and above all 500,000 euros per year revealed the Belgian press (he demanded 700,000 euros from Anderlecht). Proof of the player's great potential and the hopes placed in him. But for Rayane Bounida, despite this transfer there was no question of skipping steps and the Dutch club agreed to send him to prove himself in all the club's youth teams. Which he did with flying colors. This season, at 18 years old, Rayane Bounida is still there. Outclassed, he has just played his first professional matches in the second division with Jong Ajax. His assessment? 2 goals and 1 assist in 57 minutes played (3 matches).
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For his first match, he scored in just 4 minutes. Performances continuing what he showed with the U19 category this season with 7 goals and 1 assist in 13 matches. And by shining like this, Rayane Bounida makes people talk about him and does not leave anyone indifferent. To the point of leaving Ajax Amsterdam? Under contract until 2025, he has not yet extended. In Belgium, it is rumored that his contract is too expensive for a reserve player and that the Ajacides will not really be able to match the competition. Belgium also fears seeing him slip through the net of the selection. Because as usual, the Moroccan federation would like to get him back and have him change his sporting nationality. With the weight of Morocco currently, the player, who has always been in contact with the FRMF even if he studied with the Belgian youth teams, is clearly studying this possibility. But it will be interesting to see the future trajectory of this network star, tracked by Tottenham. Because those who have succeeded by being exposed so early can be counted on the fingers of one hand.
Pub. the 28/12/2024 21:06
