There is no direct translation in French for the term ‘Wonderkid’. Essentially, it is ‘Un Enfant Prodige’ (Prodigy Child). In Dutch, however, it is ‘Wonderkind’. It is a term that by now, regardless of what language, Rayane Bounida will be comfortable with.
Earning comparisons to Lionel Messi and Zinedine Zidane from the age of 12, the 19-year-old is keeping his feet firmly on the ground at the Amsterdam Stadium and developing nicely. His progression from the youth academy and Jong Ajax has followed a similar path to many talents who successfully make the leap to the senior side.
Belgian born, though with Moroccan heritage, Bounida joined the academy at Anderlecht, aged seven and earned rave reviews on YouTube for his close control and trickery. After rejecting offers from both PSG and Manchester City, he joined Ajax in 2022 where he has continued his development.
Hazard The Inspiration
Growing up in Belgium, his idol was naturally Eden Hazard which appears obvious when you watch how he plays. Technically elite, Bounida thrives with the ball at his feet and he combines the flair of street football with positional intelligence learned in the Ajax academy.
Naturally left-footed he can occupy any attacking midfield position with ease, while his low centre of gravity and skill in one-on-one situations make him difficult to contain. His highly instinctive nature almost resembles that of Hazard’s in his prime; Bounida can feint, swerve and glide past opponents, all helped by his rapid footwork. In time, he could become one of the most effective, naturally instinctive number 10s in Europe.
Obviously, there are parts of his game he still needs to hone; namely his positional sense, though also his practical decision-making, though given his nature and ability to pull off ‘the impossible’ you would be forgiven for thinking there are elements of these teachings that are for someone of his ability, essentially redundant.
A World Class Star In The Making
Should Bounida carry on the right path, there is absolutely no reason why he cannot become a world class talent; definitely on the same level as Hazard and it should not be long until a major European club pounces for him.
Currently, he is gradually being blended into the Ajax senior side and it will be interesting to see whether the next permanent manager gives him more game time and expedites his development, following the recent sacking of John Heitinga.
For Ajax, the two or three years will be interesting because the club has an abundance of youth talent that can form the nucleus of a very good senior side that is capable of winning titles and even going on a European run similar to the one they experienced in 2018/19 under Eric Ten Hag.
Bounida can be an instrumental factor behind this, should he continue to progress. Ultimately, there is no reason why he can’t reach the top; he has all of the traits required to do so along with the right environment in which to excel. The only question is; how badly does he want it?