Moroccan Magic: Driss El Jabli’s Stunning Rabona Sparks Puskás Award Buzz

In the world of professional football, the rabona is typically the playground of flashy wingers and creative midfielders—players who thrive on flair and the occasional moment of unnecessary extravagance. It is rarely the weapon of choice for a centre-back. However, Driss El Jabli has just shattered that convention in spectacular fashion, scoring a goal that has the global football community questioning if we have already seen the 2026 Puskás Award winner.

Playing for Maghreb Fez in a high-stakes Botola Pro clash against Wydad Casablanca, the 28-year-old defender produced a moment of pure technical audacity in the 80th minute to seal a 1-0 victory. The strike was not merely a feat of agility. it was a clinical, powerful finish that defied the traditional expectations of his position.

The sequence began near the edge of the penalty area. After receiving a pass from Adam Brika, El Jabli controlled the ball cleanly, standing roughly a meter outside the box. Instead of opting for a conventional strike or a measured pass, he wrapped his kicking leg behind his standing leg and unleashed a powerful rabona. The ball curled with precision and pace, flying into the far top corner of the net.

The reaction was immediate. Stunned by his own brilliance, El Jabli leapt over the advertising boards to celebrate with his teammates. For the Wydad Casablanca defense, including 39-year-old former Eredivisie winger Nordin Amrabat, there was little to do but watch the ball fly past. The timing was particularly cruel for the visitors, coming just a minute after former France international Wissam Ben Yedder had entered the match as a substitute.

For those unfamiliar with the terminology, a rabona is a move where the player strikes the ball by wrapping their kicking leg around the back of their supporting leg. While often used as a crossing tool or a trick in futsal, scoring a goal from distance with this technique—especially one with the velocity and accuracy El Jabli displayed—is an extreme rarity in top-flight football.

The goal did more than just go viral on social media; it had tangible implications for the Botola Pro standings. The 1-0 win propelled Maghreb Fez to the top of the table with 31 points, placing them just ahead of AS FAR. In a league where every point is contested with intensity, a defender scoring a match-winner of this caliber provides a massive psychological boost to the squad.

The conversation has now shifted toward the Puskás Award, the annual FIFA honor given to the player who scores the most beautiful goal of the year. While it is early in the calendar, the sheer improbability of El Jabli’s strike makes it a serious contender. To put it in perspective, the football world has seen iconic rabonas before—Erik Lamela has stunned crowds in the North London derby and the Europa League, and Mario Balotelli once produced a famous step-over and rabona finish. Yet, the power generated by El Jabli from a stationary position outside the box adds a layer of difficulty that separates this goal from mere flair.

From a technical standpoint, the goal is a masterclass in balance and timing. Most rabonas lack the power to beat a professional goalkeeper from 20 yards; they are typically “placed” rather than “struck.” El Jabli, however, managed to combine the trick with genuine pace, ensuring the ball reached the top corner before the keeper could react. This blend of precision and purpose is exactly what typically catches the eye of the Puskás voting committee.

Beyond the aesthetics, the goal highlights the unpredictable nature of the Moroccan league. Seeing a centre-back capture such a risk in the 80th minute of a tight game speaks to a level of confidence and technical proficiency that is rarely seen in defensive players. It transforms the narrative of the match from a tactical stalemate into a highlight reel that will likely be replayed for years to come.

As Maghreb Fez celebrates their ascent to the top of the standings, Driss El Jabli finds himself thrust into a global spotlight. Whether the goal ultimately secures the Puskás Award or not, it has already achieved something significant: it reminded fans that football can still produce moments of genuine, unscripted magic.

The next checkpoint for Maghreb Fez will be maintaining their lead at the top of the Botola Pro as the season progresses. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if El Jabli can pair his defensive duties with more moments of offensive inspiration.

Do you think El Jabli’s strike is the best goal of the year so far? Let us know in the comments.