Zabiri takes 5 LaLiga goals to Camp Nou: the breakout star faces Barcelona

Yassir Zabiri steps into the Spotify Camp Nou on Wednesday as the face of this season's fast start in Spain. Five goals in the opening five matchdays with Racing de Santander have made the 21-year-old the most exciting newcomer in the top flight. And he does it in Barcelona, the city he once identified as the place that would fulfil his football dreams.

• Zabiri has scored 5 goals in 5 LaLiga games, one every 56 minutes.
• He arrived on loan from Rennes after two seasons at Portuguese side Famalicao.
• He won the Silver Ball at the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup with Morocco.
• As a child, he said his goal was to play for Barcelona.
• His scoring has powered Racing's return to the elite after 14 years.

The goal ratio that makes Zabiri LaLiga's biggest surprise

Five matches have been enough for the Moroccan striker to reach half of the target he set when he signed for Racing: ten goals. A strike every 56 minutes is a remarkable rate, especially for a player adapting to Spanish football for the first time. The tally could have reached six, level with Lamine Yamal, Raphinha and Mbappé, but a controversial decision ruled out a goal against Rayo.

Both of the Cantabrian club's wins carry his signature. Against Elche, in his first LaLiga start, he pressed goalkeeper Matías Dituro into a costly error, struck again with a run off the back shoulder and completed a hat-trick with a bicycle kick. Against Alavés, his instinct and finishing sparked the 2-1 comeback.

From U-20 World Cup glory to a straight loan in Santander

Born in Marrakech and developed at the Mohamed VI Academy, Zabiri joined Famalicao in August 2024 on a contract running to 2028. His breakthrough came months later at the Under-20 World Cup: five goals and an assist, including two in the final against Argentina, earned him the Silver Ball and sent his market value soaring.

In February 2026, Rennes reduced Famalicao's initial €17m asking price to €10m, beating interest from Benfica, Sevilla and Atalanta. He signed with the Breton club until 2029, and Racing was chosen as the right environment for his development. The deal was completed as a straight loan without a purchase option.

My target is to score 10 goals

A modern forward who reads space brilliantly

At 1.82 metres and 73 kilograms, Zabiri is no static number nine. He works off the ball, presses aggressively, attacks space and opens passing lanes for Racing's creators, with veteran Sergio Canales as the benchmark. Head coach José Alberto López praised his reading of space against Alavés, particularly the areas either side of the pivot and behind the back three, as well as his finishing.

Sporting director Chema Aragón summarised the forward's game in a single line: 'He runs in behind and finishes.' That eye for talent in late July allowed the club to lean on the sharpness of its striker to extend its stay in the elite.

The Barça factor: a childhood dream and a Camp Nou test

Long before his move to Spanish football was decided, Zabiri made his ambitions clear. 'My goal is to play for Barça. Since I was a child I have loved Barça,' he said. On Wednesday, he faces the club of his dreams on one of football's grandest stages, with a chance to keep building a story at its very beginning.

Rennes chose to develop him outside Ligue 1. Zabiri himself admitted in early August that, despite his solid spell in Portugal, French football was tougher for his style because of the physical battles, and predicted LaLiga would suit him better. Five matchdays later, he looks vindicated.

What Racing have at stake at the Camp Nou

Racing are back in the top flight after 14 years, and every point matters in the survival fight. The Camp Nou represents a massive test for José Alberto López's side, who travel with the energy of their striker and the composure of Canales. Taking something from Barcelona would provide a huge emotional boost to a hungry, unburdened project.

Frequently asked questions about Zabiri and his Camp Nou test