Giroud predicts Bouaddi to Real Madrid if Moroccan fixes his only flaw

Olivier Giroud has set the bar very high for Ayyoub Bouaddi: questioned by the BBC as a consultant during the 2026 World Cup, the former France striker said the LOSC midfielder could join Real Madrid as early as next season, provided he corrects one specific aspect of his game.

At 18 years old and freshly integrated into the Morocco national team by Mohamed Ouahbi, Bouaddi immediately established himself in the starting eleven of the Atlas Lions. His World Cup extends an already impressive 2025-2026 season at Lille, where he trains daily alongside Giroud.

“I’m impressed by his maturity. He’s very well surrounded. His head is in the right place in the sense that he’s calm, he’s confident. He always stays true to himself. It’s a gift to have him in your team,” said France’s second all-time leading goalscorer.

Giroud identifies a gap to fill nonetheless. “The only thing he needs to improve, and he knows it because we’ve teased him about it a lot this season in the team, is his finishing. He needs to be more aggressive in front of goal. If he manages that, he’ll play at Real Madrid next year. Let’s give him time and space.”

On the question of a potential transfer, Giroud makes no secret that Lille will struggle to keep their young midfielder. “It’s going to be difficult to keep him. His transfer will be above 60 or 70 million euros. That’s the market price now. He’s a complete player, versatile. He’s everywhere, a bit like N’Golo Kanté.”

Words that sum up both the enthusiasm generated by Bouaddi and the limits he still has to overcome to confirm an already exceptional trajectory at 18 years old.