One to Watch: Abdelhamid Aït Boudlal's renaissance under Franck Haise
Last weekend, Stade Rennais boosted their European qualification hopes with a convincing win over Strasbourg, courtesy of goals from Esteban Lepaul, Breel Embolo, and Musa Al-Taamari. It marked the Breton side’s sixth victory since mid-February, with Haise becoming the first manager to win his first four away matches since Christophe Galtier did so with Paris Saint-Germain in 2021. Among the players to have surged back into prominence is Abdelhamid Aït Boudlal; a defender whose trajectory now feels firmly pointed upwards.
At the age of 20, the 2025-2026 season has been a real launchpad for Aït Boudlal as a serious defender and no longer just a prospective young player. Confirmed in a back four despite the return of Anthony Rouault, the Moroccan international has established himself as a natural fit in Haise’s system. The Rennes coach has been clear in his assessment: “He was very good in Brest, and he’s been very good in training for a while. He has huge potential.”
Rennes are already resisting significant European interest and are instead looking to extend his deal beyond 2028, viewing him as a cornerstone of their future. His profile is that of the modern central defender. He is powerful, quick, and progressive in possession. There are still moments of inexperience. He can take risks and occasionally lose concentration, but the upside is unmistakable.
Against Angers, he dominated duels with nine won, and remained secure in possession, driving forward with the ball. During that game he had completed more dribbles than any player of the pitch. Against Strasbourg last weekend, the Moroccan had a 91% passing success rate from out the back.
A pathway shaped in Morocco… then Ligue 2 BKT
Aït Boudlal has come from one of African football's most prestigious development systems in the Mohammed VI Football Academy, the same institution that has developed the likes of Nayef Aguerd, Youssef En Nesyri and Azzedine Ounahi in the past.
Born in Marrakech, he joined the academy at 12 and faced a difficult early transition away from family. “The adaptation was difficult. I cried at the beginning being far from my family,” he admitted.
His pathway accelerated through youth international levels, where he captained Morocco’s U17 side, before a pivotal loan spell at Amiens SC helped refine his game physically and tactically. “Ligue 2 is difficult with a lot of duels. It helped me evolve,” he explained.
His rapid progression has not gone unnoticed at international level.v After debuting in November under Walid Regragui, Aït Boudlal earned a place in Morocco’s Africa Cup of Nations squad, a landmark moment in a career still in its infancy.
The emotion was clear. “I felt a lot of pride. It gives me confidence to continue working.” Representing his country remains a central ambition. “Playing for the national team has been my objective since Mohammed VI.”
Within the squad, he is already learning from elite figures such as Achraf Hakimi and Romain Saïss, while also citing Nayef Aguerd as a key inspiration.
The Haise effect
Under Franck Haise, the Moroccan has found real progress and clarity. Reintroduced into the starting XI amid suspension-related changes, he has seized his opportunity and made himself difficult to drop, even at the expense of more experienced options. For Rennes, Aït Boudlal is a player to build around for the future, especially with the departure of French defender Jérémy Jacquet to Liverpool already confirmed for the summer.
If their push for European football succeeds, it may not only secure the club’s immediate future, but also convince one of Europe’s most coveted young defenders that his next step is best taken in Brittany.
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