Yassir Zabiri’s instant Liga impact vindicates Spain move

Yassir Zabiri has scored five goals in his first five appearances for Racing Santander, with two Man of the Match awards, as the Morocco forward’s decision to move to Spain begins to look thoroughly justified.

The 21-year-old, on loan from Rennes, scored twice as Santander came from behind to beat Alaves 2-1. He levelled in the 38th minute before striking again in the 53rd to complete the comeback.

The performance came only two weeks after Zabiri scored a hat-trick against Elche in his first Liga start. His latest display means he has now scored in each of his five matches and collected a second Man of the Match award this season.

“He is on cloud nine. Five matches, five goals,” said Santander manager Jose Alberto, while also stressing that his young forward still had areas of his game to improve.

Zabiri’s rapid start in Spain represents a sharp contrast to his initial experience at Rennes. He joined the French club in February after playing six matches for Famalicao, without starting any of them.

However, his move to Spain was not a random change of scenery. Zabiri had identified the Spanish and Portuguese styles as better suited to his strengths when he was presented as a Santander player.

“In France, football is much more based on duels than collective play. That did not suit my style,” he said. “I understood that my profile adapted much better to Spanish or Portuguese football.”

So far, his performances have supported that assessment.

Zabiri is mobile and particularly effective when he can combine with team-mates. He appears more closely connected to Santander’s attacking play, having settled into Liga football far more quickly than he adapted to the demands of the French game.

There are still aspects of his game that require development. Physical contests remain an important part of football in every country, and Zabiri will need to improve in that area if he is to establish himself in the Morocco national team, where African matches can present a significant physical challenge.

His progress will also be relevant when he returns to Rennes. The French club will have to decide whether to keep him, particularly if Esteban Lepaul leaves next summer.

For now, the move to Spain is producing precisely the outcome intended: restoring Zabiri’s confidence and helping develop a striker whose potential became clear during Morocco’s triumph at the U20 World Cup.

After five matchdays, his Liga breakthrough is increasingly difficult to dismiss as a coincidence.