Yassir Zabiri says Spain-bound move suits his game after France struggles

Yassir Zabiri says his move to Racing Santander will allow him to return to the style of football that best suits him after a difficult season in France.

The Morocco international made the comments at his first news conference with the Spanish club on Wednesday, having chosen to continue his career in Spain after spending last season with Stade Rennais in Ligue 1.

Zabiri is set to discover the Liga this season with Racing Santander. The forward was joint top scorer at the FIFA U20 World Cup almost a year ago and is now preparing for a new chapter in Spanish football.

He used his presentation to explain why he opted for the move, while also reflecting on his experience in France and the reasons he found it difficult to make the same impact there.

“When I left for Portugal, it went well because it is a bit the same style of play as here. Then, when I went to France, it was different. It is not intense, but there are a lot of duels. We do not really play together and we look for depth a lot. That did not help me because it is not my style. My style was Spain or Portugal,” said the Morocco forward.

The 20-year-old’s account suggests that the tactical and physical demands he encountered during his time in France were not a natural fit for his preferred way of playing.

Zabiri contrasted that experience with the football he had previously found in Portugal and expects to encounter in Spain, where he believes the game is closer to his own qualities.

His move to Racing Santander gives him the opportunity to establish himself in a new country after his spell with Stade Rennais. The club will hope his record at youth international level can translate into goals in the Liga.

Zabiri’s performance at the U20 World Cup, where he finished among the competition’s leading scorers, helped raise his profile before his move to Spain. He will now look to build on that form and make an impression with Racing Santander.

His first media appearance provided an early indication of what he wants from the next stage of his career: a team and competition that allow him to play in a way that feels familiar.

After a season in which he struggled to adapt to the demands of Ligue 1, Zabiri believes the move to Spain represents a better match for his football.