Yassir Zabiri named September’s best U23 player in La Liga

17:04

Moroccan forward Yassir Zabiri has been named La Liga’s best Under-23 player for September, marking another significant milestone in a breakthrough season that has quickly placed the young striker under the spotlight in Spain.

The 20-year-old has made an immediate impact with Racing Santander, scoring six goals in six league appearances. His consistency in front of goal has made him one of the standout young attacking players of the campaign and earned him recognition from the Spanish championship, which highlighted his performances in an official video featuring some of his best moments.

Zabiri’s rise has been particularly striking given the speed of his adaptation to Spanish football. After announcing himself in August with a hat-trick in a single match, the Moroccan continued his scoring run in September, including a goal against Barcelona.

The award also comes at a time when interest in Zabiri is growing in Morocco. His recent involvement with the national team has further raised his profile, adding international exposure to an already promising club season.

A rapid rise through Moroccan football

Born in Marrakech, Zabiri developed his footballing foundations in Morocco before becoming one of the most notable graduates of the Mohammed VI Football Academy.

He began playing at KAC Marrakech, where he spent two seasons. His potential was identified at the age of 10, leading to his admission to the Mohammed VI Football Academy. He subsequently spent nine years within the academy system, developing before taking the next step into senior football.

His professional debut came with Union Touarga Sport in January 2024. From there, his career moved rapidly beyond Morocco, first taking him to Portugal with FC Famalicão and subsequently to France, where he joined Stade Rennais.

A new chapter in Santander

For the 2026-2027 season, Zabiri moved to Racing Santander on loan, a move designed to give him greater playing opportunities and accelerate his development at senior level.

The decision has already produced tangible results. His goals have made him a central attacking figure for the Cantabrian side, while his performances have also reinforced his reputation as one of Morocco’s emerging football talents.

His recent success is not entirely unexpected. Zabiri was the revelation and leading scorer of the latest FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile, a tournament that helped establish him as a player capable of performing on an international stage.

His September award in La Liga therefore represents another step in a rapidly developing career, as the Moroccan striker continues to build his reputation in one of Europe’s most closely followed domestic competitions.