Former Inter Milan and Chelsea head coach Antonio Conte recently singled out three athletes who left a lasting impression on him throughout the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Among his top picks was Ayyoub Bouaddi, the young Moroccan midfielder currently linked to a move to Arsenal. Bouaddi gained significant attention after helping his nation reach the quarter-finals before their elimination by France, following a breakout season with Lille.
Conte mentioned Bouaddi alongside two other African talents, an Egyptian winger named Hassan and an Ivorian midfielder named Oulai, both of whom performed well during the tournament’s knockout stages. During a conversation with La Gazzetta dello Sport, the Italian manager also analyzed the semi-final matchup between England and Argentina.
He offered high praise for Harry Kane and Lautaro Martinez, noting Kane’s ability to transition from a classic striker to a playmaker. Conte lauded Kane’s technical ability and noted his long-overdue success at Bayern Munich. Regarding Martinez, Conte emphasized his essential impact on Inter Milan and his willingness to sacrifice personal glory for the Argentine national team, crediting coach Lionel Scaloni for successfully managing his star players.
