Azzedine Ounahi, the 25-year-old Moroccan midfielder, scored a crucial goal for Girona's 1-1 draw against Real Madrid in LaLiga. His standout performance helped the Catalan side earn a vital point in their battle to escape the relegation zone. The player, signed this summer, has netted three decisive goals so far this season.
On Sunday, in a LaLiga match, Girona drew 1-1 with Real Madrid thanks to a goal by Azzedine Ounahi just before halftime. This strike allowed Míchel's team to secure an essential point as they fight to leave the relegation spots. Ounahi, from Casablanca, has been a revelation since joining the Catalan club for six million euros until 2030.
His career took off at the 2022 Qatar World Cup, where he shone in the round-of-16 clash against Spain. There, Luis Enrique praised him: “I was pleasantly surprised by the number 8, I don't remember his name, sorry. My goodness, where did that boy come from? He plays really well.” Trained at the Mohammed VI Academy, he moved through Strasbourg's reserves, Avranches, and Angers before signing with Olympique de Marseille in 2023. However, injuries and lack of minutes hampered his impact: only 153 minutes in nine games in the first half-season, and under 2,000 in 35 the following year.
A loan to Panathinaikos in Greece improved his stats with five goals and seven assists in 37 appearances, but it did not solidify his progress. At Girona, his adaptation has been swift: in addition to the Madrid goal, he scored against Athletic Club and Real Oviedo, all leading to crucial draws. Coach Míchel noted: “He is a differential player; sometimes I need more from him.” President Delfí Geli emphasized: “Azzedine has already shown his quality and what he can bring to the team. He had the patience to wait for Girona”.
Ounahi acknowledged early hurdles: “It hasn't been easy to arrive at Girona. Physically, I'm not yet at 100 percent; it's been over three months since I played 90 minutes. But I'm very happy. It's a club where I want to progress and grow.” Off the field, he supports protests in Morocco against investment priorities for the 2030 World Cup, sharing images of police repression on Instagram. His contributions have brought hope to Girona amid a tough start.