Real Madrid eyeing U-20 World Cup Golden Ball winner dubbed the ‘Moroccan Cristiano Ronaldo’ | OneFootball

Real Madrid are always on high alert when it comes to young talent making waves across the globe, with the view of signing them and turning them into stars.

It is a transfer strategy that they have stuck by in recent years, signing special talents like Vinicius Jr., Rodrygo, Eduardo Camavinga, Jude Bellingham, Arda Guler, Endrick, and more recently, Franco Mastantuono.

Despite the team going through a transition phase, Real Madrid are not planning to move away from the strategy and have several exciting young players on their radar.

Othmane Maamma a target for Real Madrid

One such player who is highly admired by Real Madrid, according to Defensa Central, happens to be Watford winger Othmane Maamma.

Known as the ‘Moroccan Cristiano Ronaldo’, he was the standout player at the most recent FIFA U-20 World Cup in 2025 and Real Madrid are considering making a move for him.

The Watford forward was the star of the U-20 World Cup and led his national team to victory, winning the Golden Ball for the Best Player of the Tournament.

Othmane Maamma on Real Madrid’s radar. (Photo by Jasper Wax/Getty Images)

Having come through the ranks at Montpellier, Maamma joined Watford last summer and has three goals and one assist from 10 matches in the EFL Championship.

Real Madrid, along with clubs such as Manchester United, Liverpool and Newcastle United, among others, have taken note and are very interested in signing him.

Given the growing interest in the 20-year-old attacker, Los Blancos may be forced to act in January to prevent Maamma from leaving Watford for another English club.

After all, Real Madrid believe he is one of the best U-20 footballers at present and that he fits perfectly into their transfer policy. As such, one option being considered is to secure the player and then loan him back to Watford until the end of the season.

Meanwhile, Watford accept that sooner or later they will lose Maamma. However, they want to maximise the fee and are currently seeking at least €15 million.