Real Madrid in the equation: Zabiri's discoverer says Barcelona's interest did not surprise me
With statistics and tactical intelligence: "he is like Mbappé and Yamal"
Yasser Zabiri's name has started to carry real weight in the European transfer market. The Moroccan striker has become one of Spanish football's standout discoveries in a Racing Santander shirt, and he's now caught the eye of several major clubs, Barcelona among them.
For Maimoun Mokhtari, the Catalans' interest comes as no surprise. Few coaches know Zabiri's game better, having worked with him for six months at the Mohammed VI Academy and Ittihad Touarga.
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Zabiri and Barcelona? 'This news didn't surprise me'
The Spanish newspaper Sport carried Mokhtari's interview with the website "Afrique Foot", in which the Moroccan coach addressed the reports linking Yasser Zabiri with Barcelona.
"I read this news, and frankly it did not surprise me," he said. The coach then went further, drawing a striking comparison between Zabiri and some of the biggest names in world football. "The level Zabiri is producing in Spain makes him close to players like Kylian Mbappé or Lamine Yamal, in some aspects and looking at his statistics," he added, stressing that "the numbers speak for themselves."
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Zabiri and the pinnacle of European football: a skill not every striker possesses
Mokhtari believes the Moroccan striker possesses the potential to play at the highest levels, and said: "Zabiri could in the future move to a very big European club, whether Barcelona, Real Madrid, Manchester City or any other team of that calibre."
Zabiri's goalscoring ability drew particular praise from the coach, who explained: "Zabiri is a hard-working player who spares no effort. He has a talent not possessed by all strikers. When he enters the penalty area, he is capable of converting 9 out of 10 chances into goals."
His tactical intelligence impressed the coach just as much. "He knows when to break into the spaces behind the defenders, how to move behind the defensive lines, and how to call for the ball in the available spaces. He reads situations before they develop."
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"He was an ideal lad": moving to La Liga was an excellent decision
Mokhtari believes Zabiri's move to Spanish football proved a decisive step in his career, coming after a difficult spell with Rennes. "His loan to Spain was an excellent decision, as the Spanish league suits his abilities far better," he explained.
Casting his mind back to the player's formative years, the coach praised his character and commitment. "He was an ideal boy, serious, disciplined and persistent, and he never grew tired of working," he said. Barcelona are now circling, and Mokhtari signed off with a message about the striker's future: "I am convinced that we have not yet seen the best version of Yasser Zabiri."
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