Patrick Yazbek (born 5 April 2002) is an Australian professional soccer player who plays as a defensive midfielder for Major League Soccer club Nashville SC and the Australia national team.
Early life Yazbek was born in Liverpool, New South Wales, Australia, and is of Lebanese descent. His father was born in Lebanon, while his mother was born in Australia to Lebanese parents.
Having begun playing soccer aged three, Yazbek joined Austral Soccer Club's under-5s. In 2010, he moved Football NSW's "Skill Acquisition Program". Yazbek then played for other youth teams, namely Club Marconi, Sydney United, Western Sydney Wanderers and Sydney FC.
Club career
Sydney FC After making the bench a few times during the 2020–21 A-League season, Yazbek signed a two-year scholarship contract with Sydney FC in July 2021.
He made his senior debut in the 2021 FFA Cup round of 32, in a 4–2 victory over Sydney Olympic. Yazbek's A-League debut came on 12 December 2021, as a substitute in a 2–0 defeat to Central Coast Mariners. On 19 December, he made his starting debut for Sydney FC in a 2–1 win over Wellington Phoenix.
Viking FK On 2 February 2023, Norwegian Eliteserien club Viking announced the signing of Yazbek. On 15 April 2023, he scored his first goal for the club in a 2–0 home win against Lillestrøm.
Nashville SC On 22 July 2024, Yazbek joined Major League Soccer club Nashville SC. He made his league debut on 24 August against Austin FC but was removed from the match in the first half. Yazbek was suspended for the following two matches for a violation of the league's anti-discrimination policy. According to Outsports, the suspension was a result of Yazbek's use of a homophobic slur during the match after a foul was called against him.
International career
Youth Yazbek was selected for the Australia national under-23 team ahead of their qualifiers for the 2022 AFC U-23 Asian Cup. He played in both of Australia's games against Indonesia in October 2021, helping his side qualify for the final tournament. In the 2022 AFC U-23 Asian Cup, Yazbek played six games; Australia finished in fourth place, losing the third place match against Japan.
Senior Yazbek was named in the Australia squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against Lebanon, the country from which his parents were from and who he was also eligible to represent. Lebanon manager Miodrag Radulović criticised Yazbek for his decision to represent Australia, saying he "would be better to be one of the leaders in our team than sitting on the bench [for Australia]." Yazbek did not feature in the first match at Western Sydney Stadium on 21 March, instead making his debut on 26 March at the Canberra Stadium, providing one assist for John Iredale in a 5–0 victory.
Ahead of Australia's 2026 World Cup qualification matches against China and Japan, Socceroos coach Tony Popovic called up Yazbeck as an injury replacement for Massimo Luongo and Connor Metcalfe.
Style of play In 2021, Yazbek described himself as a "hardworking box-to-box midfielder".
Personal life Yazbek grew up as a Sydney FC supporter. He studied at Holy Spirit Catholic Primary School in Carnes Hill and at Clancy Catholic College in West Hoxton. As of 2021, he was a Construction Management student at the University of New South Wales.
Career statistics Club
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational cupContinentalOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsSydney FC Youth2020NPL NSW110———1102021NPL NSW121———1212022NPL NSW00———00Total231———231Sydney FC2020–21A-League00———002021–22A-League1414070—2512022–23A-League140300010180Total281707010431Viking2023Eliteserien26230——2922024Eliteserien14020——160Total40250——452Nashville SC2024MLS7000——702025MLS9000——90Total16000——160Career total107412070101274
References
External links
Patrick Yazbek at GameDay