Rabat – British newspaper The Guardian has named Moroccan international Abdellah Ouazane in its annual Next Generation selection for players born in 2009, thus ranking him among the 60 most promising young footballers in the world today.
The recognition puts Ouazane among a generation of teenagers regarded as some of the most exciting prospects in world football. At just 17, the Ajax midfielder has already made the jump from academy football to the first team and has earned his first senior call-up for Morocco.
From Amsterdam to the Atlas Lions
Ouazane was born on January 15, 2009 in Amsterdam and grew up in the Netherlands. His football journey began at AVV Zeeburgia, an Amsterdam-based club with a strong youth tradition, before he joined the Ajax academy in 2016, when he was seven.
Although born and raised in the Netherlands, Ouazane has Moroccan roots and eventually chose to represent Morocco.
His international pathway initially included the Netherlands at Under-15 level, but he later switched his international allegiance to Morocco. He represented the Atlas Lions at youth level and was already playing for Morocco’s Under-17 side before making the move to the senior team.
The decision was not a last-minute one. Ouazane had spoken about his desire to play for Morocco and had made clear that representing the country was one of his ambitions. When Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahbi began following his progress closely, the possibility of a senior call-up moved rapidly from a long-term objective to reality.
A rapid rise at Ajax
Ouazane has spent most of his football life inside the Ajax system, progressing through its youth teams before moving into Jong Ajax and eventually making his first-team breakthrough.
Ajax signed him to his first professional contract in August 2025, keeping him at the club until June 2028. At the time, Ajax described him as a creative attacking midfielder capable of connecting midfield with attack, creating chances through his passing and dribbling and contributing goals and assists.
Ouazane himself has described his preferred role as a No. 10, although his versatility allows him to operate as an eight, winger or even further forward. His ability to use both feet, carry the ball and attempt difficult passes has become one of the defining characteristics of his game.
His development accelerated during the 2025-26 season. He made his Ajax first-team debut and subsequently continued to receive opportunities with the senior side.
His breakthrough has become even more significant during the opening months of the 2026-27 campaign. Eredivisie statistics show him featuring seven times in the league, including two starts, while he has also been involved in Ajax’s European campaign.
The Real Madrid chapter
Before establishing himself at Ajax, Ouazane came close to making one of the biggest moves possible for a young footballer.
In the summer of 2025, Real Madrid reached an agreement to sign the Moroccan youngster. But the move collapsed after the player did not pass the Spanish club’s medical examination. Real Madrid did not publicly disclose the details of its decision.
The failed transfer was a major setback for the teenager, who had been expecting to move to Madrid. However, Ajax offered him another route forward.
Ouazane ultimately returned to Amsterdam and signed a professional contract with Ajax. He later described the failed transfer as a difficult experience but also as an important lesson about the football business.
From Morocco youth level to the senior team
Ouazane’s progress at club level eventually earned him his first senior call-up from Ouahbi in September 2026.
He made his Morocco senior debut against Gabon, coming on during the 2-0 victory in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match. At 17 years old, the appearance made him one of the youngest players to represent the Atlas Lions at senior level.
His rapid development has also been reflected in his estimated market value.
According to Transfermarkt figures, Ouazane’s market value increased from €1.5 million to €8 million in October 2026 following his breakthrough with Ajax and his first Morocco senior call-up. That represents an increase of €6.5 million in a matter of months.
