Casablanca – Yassir Zabiri has spoken about the excitement of receiving his first call-up to Morocco’s senior national team.
He described his early days with the Atlas Lions as a major step in his career.
The 21-year-old forward was included in Mohamed Ouahbi’s 29-man squad for the opening matches of Morocco’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying campaign, earning his first senior selection after making an impact with Spanish side Racing Santander.
Speaking to the Royal Moroccan Football Federation’s (FRMF), Zabiri reflected on the confidence he received after moving to Spain and how it helped him settle into his new surroundings.
“It is a great emotion. Being part of a team that gives you confidence and pushes you to improve is what happened to me in Spain. I quickly adapted to the team and gave my best. I thank them,” Zabiri said.
The forward has enjoyed a strong start to life at Racing Santander, where he is playing on loan from French club Rennes. His performances have helped earn him a place in Morocco’s senior setup and attracted attention ahead of the start of the AFCON qualifiers.
The transition to senior football
Zabiri also spoke about his transition into the national team, saying his familiarity with several players in the squad has helped him feel comfortable despite being a newcomer to the senior side.
“When you come to the national team, you don’t feel small. The older players help you adapt quickly,” the player said.
The Moroccan forward added that the environment around the Atlas Lions has made the transition easier, with the squad providing everything needed to prepare for the upcoming fixtures.
“I know many players in the national team. They help us adapt. We have everything we need here,” Zabiri said, while also thanking Moroccan supporters for their backing through both good and difficult moments.
Zabiri now has the opportunity to make his senior international debut as Morocco prepare to begin their 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign.
The Atlas Lions will host Gabon on September 25 at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat before travelling to Bloemfontein, South Africa, to face Lesotho four days later. Morocco will then meet Ghana in a friendly in Tangier on October 4.
The upcoming matches will mark the beginning of a new chapter for Yassir after his breakthrough at youth international level and his move to Spanish football.
