Al-Tamari the late-season revelation driving Rennes' European push | OneFootball

Mousa Al-Tamari has ignited Rennes’ run-in, with three goals, one assist and three penalties won in the past five games. The Jordan winger sets the tone as Rennes host Paris FC in Ligue 1 at 21.00.

According to L'Équipe, the 28-year-old, contracted to 2028, has come to symbolise their late surge. A left-footed volley recalling Van Basten in 1988 underlined a season he rates just behind his standout 2018-19 with APOEL.

Franck Haise has portrayed him as an unpredictable menace. Al-Tamari arrived from Montpellier in January 2025 for €nine million.

He took off at Toulouse in the 2-2 on 29 October as Habib Beye used him at left wing-back. He then played on the right of a 4-3-3 in the 3-1 against PSG, and lately on the left in Haise’s 4-4-2.

A potent transition threat, he leads Rennes for high-intensity running and has adapted to new roles. Marc Brys cites rare acceleration and tactical growth, while Michel Der Zakarian notes better retention and combination play.

From Jordan to APOEL Nicosia and Louvain, he has become more decisive and dislikes the ‘Jordanian Messi’ tag. With 70 caps and 21 goals, he has seemed freer since qualifying to face Argentina, Austria and Algeria at the World Cup.

Rennes, fifth between Lille and Monaco, must respond after the 2-4 at Lyon. Their European fate turns on Sunday and at Marseille, and Haise could revert to 4-3-3 or pick Anthony Rouault over Abdelhamid Aït-Boudlal for added security.

Source: L'Équipe