Four years after Morocco captured the world's imagination with their historic run to the 2022 World Cup semi-finals, the Atlas Lions are turning heads again — this time with an 18-year-old who is threatening to steal the entire tournament.

Ayyoub Bouaddi, a holding midfielder for Lille, announced himself to a global audience with a commanding performance in Morocco's opening group-stage match against Brazil. He registered more touches (87) and completed more accurate passes (60) than any other Morocco player, outshining established midfield heavyweights Casemiro and Bruno Guimaraes in the process.

Interest from the biggest clubs in Europe

His display triggered immediate interest from some of the most powerful clubs on the continent. Manchester City, Arsenal, Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Paris St-Germain are all understood to be monitoring the teenager, according to BBC Sport.

Sources have told BBC Sport that Bouaddi features on Manchester City's list of targets. City have already agreed a club-record deal worth £116m to sign Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest, but the Moroccan youngster could represent a further midfield addition. Lille are reported to have placed an asking price of between £69m and £86m on Bouaddi.

Former Morocco international Hassan Kachloul believes the hype is warranted.