As every week, OneFootball shines a spotlight on a young talent on the rise.
This week, we're heading to Alsace to introduce you a bit better to one of the gems currently making waves in Ligue 1.
After another outstanding match against OL, with an assist and a penalty earned at the end of the game thanks to a devastating nutmeg on Clinton Mata, Samir El Mourabet continues to impress.
Yet, the journey of the Strasbourg youngster is far from conventional, and is also a great story of redemption.
While playing in the youth ranks at Strasbourg, El-Mourabet was already standing out thanks to his technical skills and vision of the game. However, at the end of his U13 season, RCSA decided to let him go, notably due to weight issues.
The young Alsatian then decided to bounce back at Pierrot-Vauban. But as reported by L'Équipe, he was quickly spotted by the FFF, who offered him a place at the Lyon Espoirs center for futsal in the summer of 2020.
The gamble was risky, but El Mourabet decided to take it. For two years, he worked on his technique and physique, until he was promoted to the French national youth team.
But the Strasbourg native never forgot his dream and rejoined the Strasbourg academy in 2022.
Patiently, the young midfielder waited for his moment to show his qualities to the world. Nurtured by Liam Rosenior, he only made two appearances in the Coupe de France in previous seasons.
It is finally this year that the Strasbourg prodigy has exploded onto the scene. Thanks to his positioning and technical skills, the Moroccan youth international quickly established himself in the Alsatian midfield, becoming a key player.
This season, the midfielder has already played 30 matches in all competitions and notably scored his first professional goal last November against Crystal Palace (2-1).
A key figure in Strasbourg's midfield at just 20 years old, Samir El Mourabet can legitimately lay claim to the title of revelation of the season.
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇫🇷 here.