The former Barcelona striker believes the Morocco international has a big future after watching him deliver an eye-catching performance in City's victory.
“This Bouaddi boy impressed me a lot. How the boy plays! Barely 18 years old and a lot of football. He was everywhere on the field: moving, creating plays, taking apart... If he continues like this, this boy will go far,” Romário said.
Bouaddi, born in 2007, has begun to make an impression on Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca after arriving from Lille. He was handed his first Premier League start against Ipswich following an encouraging display in the Champions League defeat to Paris Saint-Germain.
City won 3-2, extending their perfect start to the league season to seven victories. Maresca became the first manager in Premier League history to win his opening seven matches in charge of a club.
Bouaddi had already caught the eye against PSG, coming on at half-time with City trailing 3-0 and helping to set up Erling Haaland for the Norwegian's second goal. His performance helped earn him a place in the starting line-up against Ipswich.
“When he is on the pitch, all the players around him improve. They become better players,” Maresca said of the teenager.
Bouaddi's contribution against Ipswich extended beyond his work in possession. He recorded 92 touches, won seven ground duels and completed seven passes that broke through the opposition's lines, underlining his ability to contribute on both sides of the game.
The midfielder also produced a moment that captured the imagination of the Etihad Stadium. In the closing stages, he collected the ball near his own corner and embarked on a run of more than 50 metres, slipping between Chuba Akpom and Jack Clarke before Leif Davis brought him down in the opposition half.
The run drew a huge response from the home crowd and quickly circulated online, providing another illustration of the confidence and technical ability that have attracted attention.
Bouaddi was delighted to be given the opportunity to start. “Of course I am very happy. This is football, I love playing. I want to play every game. But I know it's part of the process,” he said.
He also spoke warmly about playing alongside City's established stars. “It is easier to play with this type of footballers. Even if you sometimes make a bad pass, they fix everything.”
Manchester City's sporting director Hugo Viana said the club had tracked Bouaddi for a year before moving for him, with the midfielder's composure and ability on the ball central to their interest.
“We were clear that, if we signed a '6', it had to be him because of his calmness and great ball handling. He has great potential and can be a really important player,” Viana said.
Romário's praise adds to the growing attention surrounding a young player who is already making an impression in one of Europe's most demanding leagues.