Puskas Contender: Driss El Jabli’s Rabona Strike Shakes Up the Race

In a sport where the most spectacular moments often come from the feet of creative midfielders or clinical strikers, it is rare to see a seasoned center-back steal the global spotlight. However, that is exactly what happened in the Moroccan First Division this weekend.

Driss El Jabli, the experienced defender for MAS Fez, has ignited a firestorm of conversation across the football world after scoring a goal that many are already calling a lock for the Puskas Award. In a high-stakes clash against Wydad, El Jabli delivered a moment of pure technical brilliance that not only secured a victory for his side but similarly positioned him as a direct rival to one of the season’s most celebrated strikes.

A Moment of Pure Magic

The match between MAS Fez and Wydad was a tense affair, with the deadlock remaining unbroken until the final moments. Just as the game seemed destined for a draw, El Jabli took matters into his own hands. Positioning himself outside the penalty area, the 28-year-old Moroccan defender unleashed a “rocket” of a shot executed with a daring rabona technique.

The strike flew past the Wydad defense and into the net, sealing a 1-0 victory for the home side. The sheer audacity of a center-back attempting—and perfecting—a rabona from distance has left fans and analysts stunned, with the goal quickly trending across social media platforms.

Le but de fou du MAS de Fès face au Wydad 😮‍🔥 pic.twitter.com/ojPNoQk52Z — Ar 🇲🇦 (@Maroc12s) April 12, 2026

The Puskas Race: El Jabli vs. Arda Güler

For much of the season, the conversation surrounding the Puskas Award—given annually to the most beautiful goal scored in the world—has been dominated by Arda Güler. The Turkish star’s extraordinary 68-meter strike from his own half against Elche was widely considered the benchmark for this year’s honor.

However, the emergence of El Jabli’s rabona has shifted the narrative. While Güler’s goal was a marvel of distance and precision, El Jabli’s strike offers a different kind of brilliance: technical audacity and high-pressure execution. Social media users have been quick to compare the two, debating whether the raw distance of Güler’s effort outweighs the stylistic complexity of the Moroccan defender’s winner.

For those unfamiliar with the rabona, it is a move where the kicking leg wraps around the standing leg to strike the ball. It is typically reserved for crosses or low-risk flair plays; seeing it used as a primary weapon for a long-range goal by a defender is almost unheard of in professional football.

League Implications and High-Profile Opposition

Beyond the individual brilliance of the goal, the result has significant ramifications for the Moroccan First Division standings. With this victory, MAS Fez has climbed to the top of the table, reaching 31 points and holding the leadership position with a game in hand.

The win is made even more impressive by the quality of the opposition. Wydad, a powerhouse in African football, boasts a squad featuring world-class talent including Hakim Ziyech and Nordin Amrabat. Despite the presence of such influential figures, Wydad was unable to answer El Jabli’s strike, leaving them in third place with 30 points.

For a global audience, this result highlights the growing competitiveness and technical quality found within the Moroccan league, proving that world-class moments can happen far outside the traditional European powerhouses.

Analysis: Why This Goal Matters

From a tactical perspective, El Jabli’s goal is an anomaly. Defenders are trained to be the safety net, the ones who prevent goals rather than create them with flamboyant technique. When a player of El Jabli’s profile produces a moment of this caliber, it transcends the match result and becomes a piece of footballing art.

The Puskas Award often rewards goals that combine difficulty, beauty, and importance. El Jabli’s strike hits all three: it was a technically challenging rabona, aesthetically stunning, and served as the match-winning goal in a top-of-the-table clash.

As the season progresses, the football community will be watching closely to see if any other contenders emerge, but for now, the race for the Puskas Award has grow a fascinating duel between the long-range precision of Arda Güler and the technical audacity of Driss El Jabli.

The next official update on the Puskas nominations will be key in determining if this Moroccan masterpiece makes the official shortlist. Until then, El Jabli has ensured that MAS Fez—and the Moroccan league—are firmly on the global map.

Do you think El Jabli’s rabona beats Arda Güler’s 68-meter strike for the Puskas Award? Let us know in the comments below.