by Massimo Franchi
From graduating at 16 to the late decision to represent Morocco at the World Cup: now a clash with France—and his lookalike Rabiot—awaits him
The impact of the opening stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup has already been felt in the second update of the *Golden Boy* rankings, Tuttosport’s international award that has recognized the best Under-21 player of the year since 2003. The latest rankings, compiled with the analytical, statistical and technological support of our main partner Transfermarkt, see one player in particular reap the rewards: the outstanding *Ayyoub Bouaddi*, who climbs to fifth place in the Top 100.
The 18-year-old midfielder switched allegiance from France’s Under-21 side to Morocco just weeks before the World Cup began. He plays with the authority and composure of a seasoned veteran. The heartbeat of midfield for the unbeaten Atlas Lions, Bouaddi will tomorrow face his former “colonizers,” France, in a mouthwatering quarter-final clash that carries extra emotional weight for him.
He has been compared to Adrien Rabiot—albeit right-footed—not only for his playing style but also for his physique (standing 1.85 metres tall) and distinctive thick hair. Last December he extended his contract with Lille until June 30, 2029. Arsenal are strong admirers, as are the ever-present Real Madrid and reigning two-time European champions Paris Saint-Germain. Lille president Olivier Létang values him at no less than €70 million.
Ayyoub—equivalent to the biblical Job in Italian, while in Arabic it means “the one who returns to God”—also boasts an exceptionally high IQ. Nicknamed “Einstein,” he graduated in mathematics with top marks at the age of 16, having won a public-speaking competition the previous year in front of Brigitte Macron.
Brazilian winger Estêvão slips one place, from fifth to sixth, while Germany’s Karl drops from seventh to eighth after both were unable to take part in the World Cup because of injury. Denmark’s Victor Froholdt of Porto moves up one spot, from eighth to seventh. Jorrel Hato falls from ninth to thirteenth.
Two 19-year-old Brazilians who impressed despite the Seleção’s disappointing World Cup campaign under Carlo Ancelotti have broken into the top ten. Endrick rises from 11th to ninth, while Rayan makes the biggest leap, climbing eight places from 18th to 10th. The Rio-born forward, signed by Bournemouth in January, demonstrated in the United States that his £130 million release clause—around €151 million—was far from unrealistic.
Fellow Brazilian Vitor Reis inevitably drops from 12th to 14th. Having returned to Manchester City following his loan spell at Girona, who were relegated to the second division, he was not even called up by Ancelotti for the national team.
The top four positions remain unchanged. Lamine Yamal continues to lead the rankings by a considerable margin, ahead of Paris Saint-Germain’s Franco-Martinican midfielder Warren Zaïre-Emery and Barcelona’s Catalan defender Pau Cubarsí. All three remain in contention as the World Cup reaches the quarter-final stage.
Ivory Coast prodigy Yan Diomandé also retains fourth place. The RB Leipzig winger has been among the tournament’s standout performers. Liverpool reportedly offered €100 million (€80 million plus €20 million in bonuses) to sign him, but the bid was rejected. Leipzig are demanding €130 million to part ways with Jürgen Klopp’s protégé.
Born in Abidjan, Diomandé never knew his father. At just 15 years old, he moved alone to the United States—having taught himself English online—where he received a full scholarship at a football academy in Florida. After dazzling in American youth competitions, he earned moves to Spain’s Leganés and then RB Leipzig, where he has been nicknamed “The German” because of his discipline and professionalism.
It is worth recalling once again that Lamine Yamal won the 2024 Golden Boy award at just 17 years of age. As was already the case last December, when Désiré Doué claimed the trophy, the competition rules prevent previous winners from winning it again. Nevertheless, it is telling that Yamal continues to top this year’s ranking of 100 candidates by a wide margin.
The Barcelona star of Spanish and Moroccan heritage will remain eligible through the penultimate update, after which he must be removed from the rankings and will not feature on the final shortlist of 25 players—the top 20 in the rankings plus five wild cards—from which the new Golden Boy winner will be selected by our prestigious international jury of 50 sports journalists representing Europe’s leading media outlets.
There are 16 new entries in this latest ranking update, all occupying positions between 63rd and 100th. The biggest mover is Mainz defender Kacper Potulski, who climbs 21 places from 82nd to 61st. Italy’s Samuele Inácio also makes significant progress, gaining 17 places to move from 88th to 71st.
