At 19, Ayyoub Bouaddi is regarded as one of the biggest prospects in Moroccan football, and the Manchester City midfielder has revealed that Andres Iniesta was the player who inspired him most during his childhood.

Speaking in an interview with his club, the Morocco international looked back on the footballers he admired while growing up. Asked to name his biggest influence, Bouaddi immediately chose the former Spain and FC Barcelona midfielder, explaining that he had discovered much of Iniesta’s brilliance through online videos.

“‘Andres Iniesta. He is the player I watched the most,’” Bouaddi said in fluent English.

He added: “‘I didn’t see him play that much, but what I did see was incredible. I grew up in the generation of YouTube compilations. Every day, when I was young, I would type “Iniesta skills” into YouTube.’”

Bouaddi’s comments highlight the age gap between the two midfielders. Iniesta left FC Barcelona in 2018, when Bouaddi was only 11. Rather than regularly watching him live, the young Moroccan became familiar with the 2010 World Cup winner through compilations of his ball control, close control, dribbling, vision and decisive goals.

The interview ended with a lighter moment when Bouaddi was asked whether he had ever watched compilations of his own performances. Looking slightly embarrassed, he admitted that he had seen a few, but did not elaborate.

His admiration for Iniesta is understandable given some of the qualities they share, even though the two players differ in build and playing style. Bouaddi’s influence on matches comes less from physical strength than from his reading of the game, technical ability and confidence in tight areas.

The teenager began to make his name with LOSC before completing his move to Manchester City, where he is continuing his development at the highest level. He has also attracted attention with the Lions of the Atlas, including during the 2026 World Cup, and is viewed as part of the future of Morocco’s midfield.

Bouaddi still has a considerable distance to travel before he can be compared with his Spanish idol. But the influence of Iniesta is clear in the lesson he has taken from him: in midfield, technique and intelligence can make the decisive difference.