Moroccan forward Soufiane Rahimi, one of Al Ain’s most dynamic attacking forces, is gearing up to represent the Emirati giants at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, scheduled to run from June 14 to July 13.
Excitement is building among Al-Zaeem supporters, who are hopeful their star will continue his dazzling form on the global stage.
Rahimi joined Al Ain in August 2021 on a four-year deal and quickly made his mark. His impressive performances earned him a contract extension through 2028.
He played a pivotal role in Al Ain’s triumphant 2023-24 AFC Champions League campaign, finishing as the tournament’s top scorer with 13 goals in 13 matches. His clinical finishing helped secure the club’s final title under the competition’s former format.
With Togolese striker Kodjo Laba sidelined by injury, Rahimi stepped up impressively under Argentine coach Hernan Crespo. Transitioned from his usual left-wing position to a central attacking role, Rahimi thrived as a centre forward.
His standout season included tying the record for most goals in a single AFC Champions League campaign (13), matching feats previously achieved by Baghdad Bounedjah (2018), Muriqui (2013), and Adriano (2016).
He also topped the competition’s scoring charts by a margin of five goals.
Domestically, Rahimi netted 23 goals in 40 appearances last season, a remarkable tally given Al Ain’s inconsistent domestic presence over the past three years.
On the international front, Rahimi has been equally impressive. He led Morocco to the African Nations Championship (CHAN) title in 2020, where he was named both the tournament’s top scorer and best player.
More recently, he played a crucial role in Morocco’s bronze-medal finish at the 2024 Paris Olympics, scoring eight goals in six matches—emerging as the tournament’s leading scorer ahead of Spain’s Fermín López and France’s Jean-Philippe Mateta.
As Al Ain prepares for a tough Group G at the Club World Cup—featuring Manchester City, Juventus, and Wydad Casablanca—fans will be counting on Rahimi to deliver another round of top-class performances on the world stage.
