User:Soccermarket/Zineb Rechiche

Rechiche grew up in Rabat and left her hometown at the age of 13 to pursue her dream of becoming a professional footballer. She began training in France with Paris Saint-Germain U-16 Girls and FC Massy 91 U-14 Boys. Her talent was quickly recognized, and at age 16, she signed her first professional contract with COMB Bagneux(France) in 2005, following the recommendation of the club’s honorary president.

Rechiche holds a trilingual bachelor’s degree in market finance (French, English, Spanish) from HEC Montréal(Canada). While playing professionally in Spain, she continued her academic pursuits and later graduated from ICADE Business School at Universidad Pontificia Comillas (Spain), further strengthening her profile in international finance and business management.

She is the daughter of Abdelmajid R’chich, a pioneer of Moroccan cinema and renowned film director. Fluent in Arabic, French, Spanish, and English, she taught herself Spanish at the age of 12 by reading and watching news about her childhood favorite team, Real Madrid CF. In a 2010 interview with Uruguayan journalist Pablo Gobba during the FIFA World Cup in South Africa, she credited this self-driven learning to her admiration for Spanish football legend Raúl González Blanco.

Rechiche enjoyed an international playing career spanning nearly two decades. After her early years in France, she moved to Canada in 2007, signing with Montreal Elite Concordia (Canada) and later playing for the Carabins of Université de Montréal. Her career continued across North America, Europe, and the Middle East, with stints at:

• Atlético Madrid (Spain)
• CF Pozuelo de Alarcón (Spain)
• Juvisy FCF (France)
• Chicago BCU (USA)
• Atlanta Silverbacks (USA)
• FC Zürich (Switzerland)
• Abu Dhabi Country Club (UAE)

She represented the Morocco women's national team, establishing herself as a key figure in the growth of women’s football in the country.

Known for her finishing ability, long-range passing, and precision from set pieces, Rechiche began her career as a striker but transitioned to an attacking midfield role, where her vision and tactical intelligence made her an indispensable playmaker.

While competing at the highest level in football, she simultaneously pursued a corporate career. From 2012 to 2014, she completed the General Electric Financial Management Program (FMP)—a Harvard-affiliated leadership program for top finance talent. She then joined the General Electric Corporate Audit Staff (CAS) from 2014 to 2017, a highly selective global program focused on strategy, compliance, and operational excellence. During this time, she also held leadership roles at General Electric and later Baker Hughes, managing cross-functional business operations.

She officially retired from professional football in 2023 at Abu Dhabi Country Club, and immediately became the first Arab woman in the Middle East to obtain a FIFA Football Agent licence.

Following her retirement, Rechiche chose to remain in the football industry, drawing on her dual expertise in sport and corporate leadership. She founded ZYA, a next-generation athlete representation and football consultancy agency that she chairs. Built on a “By Players, For Players” model, ZYA offers elite, holistic services to both male and female athletes, combining legal, financial, performance, wellness, and personal development support.

In addition to player representation, ZYA also advises football clubs and federations, providing strategic consulting on governance, sponsorship, innovation, and international expansion. The agency works closely with rights holders to align commercial objectives with competitive performance and long-term sustainability.

Rechiche is a vocal advocate for the advancement of women in football and sports leadership. She is committed to promoting equal representation and building systems that empower female athletes at both grassroots and elite levels. Her mission focuses on transforming the structural narrative around women in football and helping talent from emerging markets gain visibility and opportunity on the global stage.

Zineb Rechiche’s path from international player to pioneering football agent and founder has positioned her as a trailblazer in the sports industry. Her story embodies ambition, resilience, and reinvention. She continues to serve as a role model for aspiring athletes and professionals, particularly in the Arab world, advocating for inclusive excellence and long-term transformation in football.