Haaland Praises Bouaddi: "We Have a Gem"
Moroccan international Ayyoub Bouaddi's inclusion in Manchester City's starting lineup against Portuguese side Porto was not just a fleeting appearance, as the young midfielder caught attention with his performance in the match that ended with a 2-0 victory for the English team in the UEFA Champions League.
Bouaddi received special praise from his Norwegian teammate Erling Haaland, who spoke positively about the potential the 18-year-old displayed, confirming that his training performances over the past weeks have also been outstanding.
After the match, Haaland stated that Bouaddi "had a really great game," noting that he had discussed the player's level with the club's president during training sessions.
The Norwegian striker added, "In the past few weeks in training, I was telling the club president that he was amazing in everything. So I think we have a gem here, honestly."
Haaland's praise included a humorous observation about one moment in the match, revealing that he was expecting Bouaddi to pass him the ball during one of the second-half attacks when he found himself in a good position to score.
He explained, "I think he should have passed me the ball in the second half. I was completely alone, so I felt a bit angry, and that's why I told him that now," before adding jokingly that this moment represents a lesson for the young player to learn from, while also affirming that it does not diminish the value of his performance.
Haaland continued that Bouaddi had a good game except for that pass, indicating that the Moroccan player still has plenty of room to develop and learn, especially at the beginning of his experience with the first team.
Speaking about the development of young players within the team, Haaland emphasized that competing in a Manchester City shirt sets high expectations for players. He said, "Yes, we have to learn. They demand a lot from us, and we have to demand a lot from ourselves in every game. Manchester City must win matches, and that’s what we need to do at this club."
Haaland's comments came after an important away victory of 2-0, in a match he described as difficult, especially given the atmosphere created by the fans in the stadium.
While Manchester City emerged with a valuable win from Portugal, Bouaddi was one of the standout stories of the match, having earned his first start for the team and delivering a performance that led Haaland to describe him as a "gem" with a bright future at the club.
This early praise gives the Moroccan player a morale boost as he continues to carve his path within a team that prioritizes winning and continuous development both locally and in Europe.
