Morocco’s Bounou Becomes First to Win LaLiga Santander African MVP

Rabat – Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou became this week the first to lift the prestigious LaLiga Santander African MVP Trophy, which rewards the best African player in the Spanish league.

The winner of the MVP award is chosen by popular vote, and Bounou received the most votes in a poll in which “over 30,000 fans from all over Africa, as well as from Spain, France and the US in particular, participated,” Sevilla FC said in a statement.

The Moroccan goalkeeper, who conceded 24 goals in 31 league matches this season, was voted African MVP ahead of Gabon’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (FC Barcelona), Nigeria’s Chukwueze and Senegal’s Boulaye Dia (Villarreal CF), and the Central African Kondogbia (Atletico de Madrid).

Bounou shared his happiness with fans after winning this title, emphasizing that it is a “great honor” for him as an African player in LaLiga. He also thanked his teammates and coaching staff, “who are by my side and who work every day and without them it would certainly not have been possible.”

LaLiga Southern Africa managing director Marcos Pelegrin also commented on Bounou’s recent achievement, describing him as a “worthy” goalkeeper to receive this award.

The unprecedented achievement adds to Bounou’s remarkably positive influence on Sevilla since he transferred to the Spanish club in summer 2019.

In January this year, the 31-year old goalkeeper won the Mid-Season MVP Award after conceding 13 goals in 20 games. This trophy is also given to the best African player in the competition in the first half of the season.

The award is an acknowledgement of the increasingly important contribution of African players to the growth of LaLiga.

Bounou also made history last month by becoming not only the first Sevilla player but also the first Moroccan and Arab to win the Zamora Trophy for the best goalkeeper in LaLiga.

Bounou is also a key player in Morocco’s national team, who are currently playing the qualifiers for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and who have already secured their spot to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.