Nabil Fekir

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Lore & Background

Fekir's bond with Betis was forged through moments of brilliance and controversy. He scored the opening goal in a 2-1 home win over Sevilla in the Copa del Rey last 16 in January 2022, a match that was abandoned after a metal bar thrown from the crowd struck Sevilla's Joan Jordán, then completed behind closed doors the next day. That same season, he helped Betis win the Copa del Rey. However, his time was also marked by disciplinary issues: he was sent off multiple times, including after just 11 minutes against Athletic Bilbao in April 2021, and for an elbow on Papu Gómez in a derby draw in November 2022. Despite these incidents, his technical elegance and key contributions in big matches made him a memorable figure for the club.

In Their Own Story

The Benito Villamarín erupted on 15 January 2022. Fekir had just scored the equalizer in the Seville derby, a crucial goal in the Copa del Rey last 16. But the joy was short-lived. A metal bar thrown from the crowd struck Sevilla's Joan Jordán, forcing the match to be abandoned. The game was completed behind closed doors the next day, with Betis winning 2-1. It was a chaotic, unforgettable moment that defined Fekir's time at the club — a blend of on-field magic and off-field drama that would ultimately lead to a Copa del Rey triumph later that season.

Reader's Guide

Nabil Fekir's career at Real Betis began on 22 July 2019, when he signed a four-year contract for an initial €19.75 million. He made his La Liga debut on 18 August, playing the full 90 minutes in a 2-1 defeat to Real Valladolid, and scored his first goal a week later in a 5-2 loss to Barcelona. Over the next four seasons, he became a central figure, though his time was punctuated by red cards — including dismissals against Barcelona, Villarreal, Athletic Bilbao, Bayer Leverkusen, and Sevilla. His most significant achievement came in 2021-22, when he scored twice in the Copa del Rey run, including the equalizer in the derby win over Sevilla. He helped Betis secure sixth place in La Liga on the final day of the 2020-21 season, equalizing in a 3-2 comeback win at Celta Vigo. In January 2022, his contract was extended to 2026. He suffered an ACL injury in February 2023 and returned in November 2023, before leaving for Al Jazira in August 2024 for €6 million.

Did You Know?

• Fekir was released by Lyon's youth academy at age 14 for not being strong enough, but rejoined in 2011 after being tracked by scouts.
• He scored a hat-trick in a 4-0 Ligue 1 win at Caen on 29 August 2015.
• A €60 million transfer to Liverpool in June 2018 collapsed; Fekir later said the injury story was a cover and the move fell through due to his agent.
• In the 2021-22 Copa del Rey, Fekir scored the opening goal in a 2-1 derby win over Sevilla that was abandoned after a metal bar struck Sevilla's Joan Jordán, then completed behind closed doors the next day.
• Fekir played the last nine minutes of the 2018 FIFA World Cup final, a 4-2 win over Croatia, replacing Olivier Giroud.

The Lyon Prodigy and Captaincy

Nabil Fekir joined Lyon's youth academy at age 12, was released two years later for not being strong enough, then rejoined in 2011 after being tracked by scouts. He made his first-team debut on 28 August 2013 in a Champions League play-off loss to Real Sociedad. His first goal came on 27 April 2014 against Bastia. In the 2014-15 season, he became a regular, scoring 13 goals and providing 9 assists in Ligue 1, earning the Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year award and a spot in the Team of the Year. He scored a hat-trick in a 4-0 win at Caen on 29 August 2015, but missed most of the 2015-16 season with torn knee ligaments. On 23 February 2017, he scored another hat-trick and assisted a goal in a 7-1 Europa League win over AZ Alkmaar. In August 2017, following Maxime Gonalons' transfer, Fekir was named captain. He scored twice in a 5-0 win at Saint-Étienne on 5 November 2017, a match stopped for 40 minutes after he provoked the home fans. In 2017-18, he scored 18 goals alongside Memphis Depay (19) and Mariano (18). In June 2018, a €60 million transfer to Liverpool collapsed due to a knee issue; Fekir later said in September 2021 that the injury story was a cover and the move actually fell through due to his agent. He made 192 appearances for Lyon, scoring 69 goals.

Defining Moments of Drama

Fekir's career has been marked by intense drama. On 5 November 2017, after scoring his second goal in a 5-0 win at Saint-Étienne, he took off his shirt and brandished his name and number to the home fans, who threw objects and spilled onto the field. Referee Clément Turpin led players off, riot police restored order, and the match was stopped for 40 minutes before finishing in a virtually empty stadium. At Real Betis, he was sent off multiple times: on 9 February 2020 against Barcelona for two yellow cards (the second for dissent); on 1 July 2020 against Villarreal for a foul and dissent; on 21 April 2021 after just 11 minutes against Athletic Bilbao for a foul on Unai Vencedor; on 4 November 2021 in a 4-0 loss at Bayer Leverkusen for a confrontation with Kerem Demirbay (Betis captain Joaquín said his actions 'stain football'); and on 6 November 2022 in a 1-1 derby draw with Sevilla for an elbow on Papu Gómez. His most triumphant moment came in the 2021-22 Copa del Rey, where he scored the equalizer in a 2-1 derby win over Sevilla in the last 16 — a match abandoned after a metal bar struck Joan Jordán, then completed behind closed doors the next day.

International Glory and Global Moves

Nabil Fekir played 25 games for France between 2015 and 2020, scoring twice. He made his senior debut on 26 March 2015 against Brazil, replacing Antoine Griezmann for the final 16 minutes of a 3-1 defeat. He scored his first goal on 7 June 2015 in a 4-3 friendly loss to Belgium. On 4 September 2015, he made his first start in a 1-0 win over Portugal but ruptured three ligaments in his right knee, sidelining him for six months. He was selected for the 2018 FIFA World Cup squad and played the last nine minutes of the final, a 4-2 win over Croatia, replacing Olivier Giroud. After leaving Betis, he joined UAE side Al Jazira on 30 August 2024 for €6 million, scoring 19 goals in 55 games between 2024 and May 2026. Since July 2026, he has played for Saudi Pro League side Abha Club on a two-year contract.

The Liverpool Saga and Career Crossroads

One of the most significant 'what ifs' in Fekir's career was his near-transfer to Liverpool in June 2018. The English club negotiated with Lyon, offering a maximum €60 million. Fekir agreed personal terms, but the transfer collapsed due to a knee issue that appeared during the medical. In September 2021, Fekir revealed that the injury story was a cover explanation, and that the move actually collapsed due to his agent. This failed move kept him at Lyon for another season before his eventual departure to Real Betis in July 2019.

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