Yassir Zabiri believes confidence has been one of the biggest factors behind his recent progress, both at club level in Spain and with the Morocco national team.
The young forward has enjoyed an encouraging start to his new experience in Spanish football, where the trust shown by his coach and teammates has allowed him to play with greater freedom and express his qualities on the pitch.
Now with the Atlas Lions, he has found another environment where support and togetherness have helped him feel comfortable from the beginning.
Confidence Has Opened the Door in Spain
Since moving to Spanish football, Zabiri says he immediately felt supported by the people around him.
That backing gave him the freedom to play with confidence and show the qualities that made him an exciting prospect for the future.
For the Moroccan, the relationship between a player, his coach and his teammates can make a significant difference.
When a player knows that those around him believe in his abilities, it becomes easier to take responsibility, make decisions and play without hesitation.
That sense of trust has helped him produce the level of performances he was hoping to achieve.
A Familiar Environment With the Atlas Lions
Despite being one of the younger members of the national team setup, the forward does not feel like a complete newcomer.
His current presence at the Mohammed VI Football Complex is not his first experience with the national setup, meaning he already knows several members of the squad.
That familiarity has made his return much more comfortable and allowed him to settle into the group quickly.
Rather than feeling like an outsider, he has found himself surrounded by players he already knows and an environment that encourages new faces to integrate naturally.
Experienced Players Helping the Younger Generation
One of the aspects Zabiri highlighted was the role played by the more experienced members of the squad.
According to the youngster, senior players make a genuine effort to help new arrivals feel comfortable, offering support both on and off the pitch.
That relationship goes beyond competition for places.
Inside the national team, experienced internationals can help younger players understand the demands of representing Morocco while creating an atmosphere where everyone feels part of the same group.
For Zabiri, that support has been an important part of his integration with the Atlas Lions.
Preparing for the Gabon Challenge
Attention has now turned toward Morocco’s opening AFCON 2027 qualifier against Gabon.
The preparations have been progressing positively at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Salé, where the squad has access to the facilities and resources needed to prepare properly for the opening match.
The objective is clear: start the qualifying campaign with a positive result on home soil.
For the young forward, it will be another opportunity to show what he can offer while continuing to gain experience alongside some of Morocco’s most established internationals.
A Message of Gratitude to Moroccan Fans
Zabiri also took the opportunity to thank the Moroccan supporters for the backing they have given him.
The support of the fans has followed him through different stages of his career, and he expressed his appreciation for their encouragement in both good and difficult moments.
Now, he wants to experience that support from the stands once again.
He called on Moroccan supporters to come out in force on Friday and get behind the Atlas Lions
as they begin their journey toward AFCON 2027.
Building Confidence With the Atlas Lions
For Zabiri, the next step is about turning the confidence he has developed in Spain into performances with the national team.
His early experience with the squad has already given him a sense of belonging, while the support of his teammates has made the transition easier.
With Gabon waiting in the opening qualifier, the young Moroccan now has the chance to continue his development on an international stage, surrounded by a group that has made sure he knows he is not alone.