City midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi has received another reminder of his growing reputation after being shortlisted for one of football’s most prestigious awards.
The 18-year-old has been nominated for the Men’s Young Talent of the Year award, part of the annual Ballon d’Or honours and the category traditionally associated with the Kopa Trophy.
The award recognises the best young player in world football. Previous Kopa Trophy winners include Kylian Mbappé, Jude Bellingham and Lamine Yamal.
Bouaddi reputation continues to grow
This is Bouaddi’s second successive nomination after he finished ninth in last year’s voting, making the recognition rather more than a consequence of his recent move to England.
The midfielder joined City from Lille towards the end of August after establishing himself as one of Europe’s most highly-rated young players. Despite his age, he had already accumulated considerable senior and European experience in France before arriving at the Etihad.
Bouaddi has since featured from the bench against Crystal Palace and Coventry and is part of Enzo Maresca’s travelling squad for tonight’s Champions League opener against Porto.
He is one of 10 players on the shortlist, with Barcelona pair Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsí and Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Warren Zaïre-Emery among the other nominees. The winner will be announced at the Ballon d’Or ceremony in London on 26 October.
Bouaddi then impressed on his first City start against Porto.
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