Jaouad Zairi
Jaouad Zairi | |
|---|---|
| Born | April 17, 1982 Taza, Morocco |
| Occupation | Professional footballer |
| Years active | 2000–2017 |
| Known for | Winger for Morocco national team and various clubs including Olympiacos |
Jaouad Zairi (; born 17 April 1982) is a Moroccan professional football player who operated primarily as a winger. Between 2000 and 2009, he was capped 34 times for the Morocco national team, contributing six goals during his international career.
Early life
Zairi was born in Taza, Morocco, and relocated with his family to the French city of Mâcon when he was two years old. He became part of FC Gueugnon's youth setup in 1997.
Club career
Beginning his career at the age of 15, Zairi joined French Ligue 2 club FC Gueugnon. In the summer of 2001, he signed with Sochaux, where he remained until 2008. During this period, in January 2006, he was loaned out to Saudi Arabian side Al-Ittihad. Subsequently, he spent the 2006–2007 season with Portuguese outfit Boavista F.C. before returning to France to play for FC Nantes in the 2007–2008 campaign.
For the 2008–09 season, Zairi transferred to Greek Super League club Asteras Tripolis. On 25 April 2009, Olympiacos confirmed his acquisition for the following season. He secured the 2010–11 Super League Greece championship title with Olympiacos. After two seasons at the club, manager Ernesto Valverde informed him that his contract would not be extended, allowing him to depart freely.
In July 2017, Zairi featured in a friendly match representing Indonesian team Persija Jakarta against Spanish side Espanyol.
International career
Zairi made his debut for the Morocco national team in 2000. He played an integral role in Morocco's run to the final of the 2004 Africa Cup of Nations, where they finished as runners-up after losing to regional rivals Tunisia. Additionally, he represented Morocco at the 2000 Summer Olympics.
International goals
- The scores and results list Morocco's goals first; the score column reflects the match score immediately following each goal by Zairi.
| No. | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 20 June 2003 | Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat, Morocco | Template:Fb | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2004 Africa Cup of Nations qualification |
| 2 | 8 February 2004 | Stade Taïeb Mhiri, Sfax, Tunisia | Template:Fb | 3–1 | 3–1 (a.e.t) | 2004 Africa Cup of Nations |
| 3 | 31 March 2004 | Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat, Morocco | Template:Fb | 3–0 | 3–1 | Friendly |
| 4-6 | 9 February 2005 | Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat, Morocco | Template:Fb | 1–0 / 2–0 / 5–0 | 5–1 | 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification |
Honours
Olympiacos
Morocco
- Runner-up: Africa Cup of Nations (2004)