Moroccan striker Yassir Zabiri scored a winner six minutes from full time as Racing Santander beat Espanyol 2-1 in La Liga on Saturday, October 24. It was his eighth league goal in the first 10 rounds of the season, according to AFP.
File photo, for illustration.
Yassir Zabiri’s La Liga season so far
Zabiri has made an eye-catching start to life in Spain’s top flight. He scored a hat-trick in his first La Liga start against Elche, added two goals against Alavés and also found the net against Barcelona. On October 12, Morocco World News reported that he had seven goals in eight league appearances, level with Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappé in the scoring standings, while Barcelona’s Raphinha led with 12.
That tally came in a 2-2 draw with Valencia, when he equalised in the 32nd minute. The Espanyol winner takes him to eight, closing in on the target of 10 goals he set when he arrived.
Key facts about the Moroccan forward
- Born in Marrakech and trained at the Mohammed VI Football Academy.
- Won the Golden Boot at the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile with five goals, including both in Morocco’s 2-0 final win over Argentina.
- Signed by Stade Rennais from Famalicão in February 2026.
- On a season-long loan at Racing Santander until June 30, 2027, with no option to buy; he remains under contract at Rennes until 2029.
Barcelona dream and what comes next
Zabiri has spoken of a long-held ambition to play for Barcelona, and Hespress notes that his form brings that dream closer. No concrete interest or transfer talks have been reported. Spanish daily Marca has said Racing could seek an agreement giving them priority if Rennes decide to sell.
For Moroccan fans, his rise is another sign of the pipeline from the national academy to Europe. Read how Real Madrid beat Barcelona in El Clásico this weekend, and see the three Moroccans on the 2026 Ballon d’Or lists. More in our Culture and Sport section.
Sources: Hespress English, Morocco World News
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