The long-running saga is finally over. Ayoub Bouaddi, the 18-year-old Lille midfield sensation, has officially chosen his international future—and the answer is Morocco.

Late Friday evening, the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) confirmed what many had been anticipating: Bouaddi will wear the red and green of the Atlas Lions. Born in Senlis, France, the prodigy had kept both the French Football Federation (FFF) and the FRMF on edge as he weighed his options.

For Bouaddi, it was a decision rooted in heritage. The former captain of France's U-21 team now joins a growing list of dual nationals—players born in France, Spain, or the Netherlands—who have pledged allegiance to Morocco. He'll line up alongside stars like Achraf Hakimi and Brahim Diaz, adding even more firepower to a squad that has captured global attention.

With the 2026 World Cup on the horizon, Bouaddi is expected to make his senior debut for Morocco next June. For fans of the Atlas Lions, this is a major win—and a statement that the team's pull is only growing stronger.