Nabil Fekir provides moments of pure magic. On LaLiga Santander Matchday 28, during Real Betis’ home match against Levante UD, he scored a superb solo goal that Maradona himself would have been proud of. But his contribution to the team goes much further. With three goals and six assists this season-with just 10 games remaining-, the French international has been key to the Verdiblancos good season. Manuel Pellegrini’s team is entering the final stage of LaLiga Santander 2020/21 fighting to qualify for European competitions, with Fekir leading the charge.
Here are five things you might not know about the attacker, who won the World Cup in 2018:
- Nabil Fekir grew up in Jaques Monod, a suburb of Villerbaunne in Lyon (France). A neighborhood where opportunities are scarce. From a very young age he stood out with the ball at his feet and that led to him receiving the call from Olympique de Lyon at just 12 years old.
- The French midfielder has a small scar on his face after a bowl of boiling oil fell on him when he was a child.
- At just 14 years old, Olympique de Lyon passed on the opportunity to sign Fekir as he suffered from Osgood-Schlatter Disease, a disease that causes swelling and pain in the legs during adolescence. After playing for other teams, Lyon got him back by including his driver’s license fee in the contract.
- Fekir is the third world champion to play for Real Betis, after Nery Pumpido (Argentina 1986) and Denilson de Oliveira (Brazil 2002).
- This 2020/21 season, as of Matchday 28, Nabil Fekir ranks third for most completed dribbles in LaLiga Santander.
