The numbers surrounding maths genius Ayyoub Bouaddi are starting to look impressive - but Manchester City want him to perform with his boots not his brains after signing him for big bucks
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - AUGUST 15: Ayyoub Bouaddi of Lille during the pre-season friendly match between Everton and OSC Lille at Hill Dickinson Stadium on August 15, 2026 in Liverpool, United Kingdom. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
Manchester City have landed one of the most sought after talents in Ayyoub Bouaddi (Image: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
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Maths genius Ayyoub Bouaddi is starting to compile some impressive numbers. The latest one being the £85million Manchester City have spent luring him to the Etihad, making him the fifth most expensive teenager in world football.
The English giants have got themselves more than just a footballer. Bouaddi gained a degree in mathematics from the University of Marseille, while playing for Lille more than 1,000km north.
During which time he relaxed following training by studying arithmetic proofs. Whatever they are? He passed his science degree with honours as an undergraduate at the age of just 16, despite skipping school for 12 months during a childhood growing up on the outskirts of Paris.
And won a national public speaking competition among French football academies at the famous Elysee Palace in front of Brigitte Macron, wife of French president Emmanuel Macron.
He's been just as impressive on the pitch, too. In 2023, also at the age of 16, Bouaddi, became the youngest player in the history of UEFA club competitions when he debuted for Lille against KI KLaksvic. He is the youngest player in Lille's history, and the second youngest to provide an assist in Ligue 1.
And following an impressive World Cup this summer, became the first African teenager to make five appearances in the competition.
His debut came against the iconic Brazilians, but Bouaddi ran the show from start to finish. It seems Bouaddi has more strings to his bow than Robin Hood. But City have signed Bouaddi for what he can do with his boots, rather than his brains. A versatile talent capable of performing anywhere in midfield.
Ayyoub Bouaddi has become the fifth most expensive teenager in world football
Bouaddi has become the fifth most expensive teenager in world football(Image: Rob Newell - CameraSport via Getty Images)
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Etihad bosses have not invested in the footballer he is how, but what he will go on to become. Yet Bouaddi, 18, is already mature enough to appreciate how he must focus on his new team, rather than himself.
He said: "I think it was the right time. I felt good in Lille, but felt it was the right moment to come to City. The right thing to do. I'd say I'm a player who plays for the team. I'm a really collective player. I try to put my team-mate in the best position, and give everything every time for the team."
Bouaddi admits he's spent his teenage years marvelling at the achievements of Pep Guardiola, and influences of City legends like Kevin De Bruyne, Yaya Toure and Rodri.
And believes he has joined a club which gives him the perfect platform to go on and create his own history on behalf of the blue half of Manchester.
The Moroccan was a huge admirer of Pep Guardiola and Kevin De Bruyne
Bouaddi was a huge admirer of Pep Guardiola and Kevin De Bruyne(Image: Getty Images)
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He said: "I grew up with Manchester City under Guardiola. When he arrived and what he did was just amazing. But then we know that City is one of the greatest clubs in the world with the best players, best team, the campus. Everything is done to perform here and do the best. I liked to watch Kevin De Bruyne, also Yaya Toure and Rodri. A lot of great players have been at City. I can't tell you all of the players that I watched at City, there is too many."
With a huge price tag comes huge expectation, at a club where failure is no longer an option. But Bouaddi wants to meet the challenge head on.
He added: "I think the Premier League is the most attractive and most competitive championship in the world. And we know that in the great club we need to win. We are going to see what's going to happen. What's important is that I'm going to give 100 per cent to achieve all of our goals."
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