Yasser Zabiri nominated for La Liga Under-23 Player of the Month award

Yasser Zabiri has been nominated for La Liga’s Under-23 Player of the Month award for September 2026 after making a striking start to his first season in the competition with Racing Santander.

The official La Liga account on X announced the five-player shortlist on Wednesday. The award is being presented in partnership with Riyadh Season.

Zabiri is joined among the nominees by Villarreal midfielder Alberto Moleiro, Barcelona defender Pau Cubarsi, Sevilla winger Miguel Sierra and Celta Vigo player Yoel Lago.

The nomination is Zabiri’s second in succession after he was included on the shortlist for August. That award was won by Espanyol player Javi Hernandez.

The 21-year-old forward has scored six goals in six La Liga appearances for Racing Santander, where he is playing on loan from French club Stade Rennais. His goals include a hat-trick against Elche, two against Alaves and one against Barcelona.

Zabiri’s performances have strengthened his reputation as one of the most promising emerging talents in Moroccan football. He helped Morocco Under-20s win the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile, scoring five times during the tournament.

Two of those goals came in the final, when Morocco beat Argentina 2-0. Zabiri also received the Silver Ball award for his performances in the competition.

His rise has also led to a first call-up to the Morocco senior squad for the current international camp. The team will play two Africa Cup of Nations matches against Gabon and Lesotho before facing Ghana in a friendly.

Barcelona’s Pau Cubarsi, 19, is the other standout name on the shortlist. The defender has already won the Under-23 Player of the Month award, taking the prize in April 2026.

The winner of the September award will be selected from the five nominees: Zabiri, Moleiro, Cubarsi, Miguel Sierra and Yoel Lago. La Liga published the shortlist on social media and asked supporters to choose their favourite candidate.