Rabat – Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi has said he has not yet decided which national team he will represent, stressing that he wants to take his time before making a final choice.
Speaking during a press conference while on duty with France’s second national team setup, Bouaddi said he sees the matter as one of the biggest decisions of his career. For now, he does not want to rush it.
“I have not made my decision yet,” he said. “Choosing a national team is a major step in a player’s career. I want to give myself time, and I do not want to move too quickly.”
Bouaddi’s comments come as attention continues to grow around his international future.
The 18-year-old midfielder remains eligible for more than one country, which has made his next step a subject of interest in both France and Morocco.
Bouaddi also explains he has not set a deadline for himself. When asked whether he wanted to settle the issue before the 2026 World Cup.
“There is no deadline,” he said. “It is a personal decision. It has to come from the heart.”
That answer suggests Bouaddi wants to keep his focus on football rather than outside pressure.
He also tried to lower the temperature around the debate, insisting that no one is forcing him in one direction or another.
The Lille player added that family will also play an important role when the time comes to choose.
He said such a decision cannot rest only on sporting reasons and must also reflect the wishes of those closest to him.
“You also have to think about your family and the people you love,” he said. “There is no pressure around this.”
Bouaddi’s rise at club level has naturally brought more attention to his international future.
As a midfielder at Lille, he has built a reputation as one of the promising young players in French football, and that has made the question of his national team choice more visible.
That leaves the door open for now, with no final answer yet on where his international future will lie.