Bouaddi stars on first Man City Champions League start — SkimNews
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- Ayyoub Bouaddi made his first Manchester City start in the Champions League against Porto at age 18 years and 341 days, becoming the fourth-youngest player to start a UCL match for the club.
- Manchester City signed Bouaddi from Lille for £86m this summer, making him the most expensive teenager in Premier League history.
- Bouaddi completed 54 of 55 passes and led both teams in dribbles (4), possessions won (7), and duels contested (13).
- Erling Haaland, who scored both City goals, called Bouaddi "a gem" and praised his "amazing" recent training performances, while playfully criticizing one missed through-ball in the second half.
- Enzo Maresca highlighted Bouaddi's maturity, noting he speaks French, English, and Spanish "perfect" and stayed calm under pressure inside his own box after losing the ball.
- Pat Nevin on BBC Radio 5 Live called Bouaddi "very special" and "an absolute no-brainer," suggesting City fans need not worry about replacing departed midfielder Rodri.
Why it matters: City spent £86m on Bouaddi as a long-term Rodri heir, and his composed Champions League debut — 54 of 55 passes completed plus team-leading totals in duels (13) and dribbles (4) — provides the first competitive evidence that the club's record teenage outlay could deliver a world-class midfielder.
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