At least 32 footballers who ply their trade in the Spanish top-flight league LaLiga Santander have been lined up for the African MVP Award this season.

However, Moroccan striker Youssef En-Nesyri who anchors for Sevilla FC has emerged as one of the frontrunners after a scintillating second half of the season.

Sevilla FC and En-Nesyri had a sluggish start to their La Liga Santander campaign, but En-Nesyri was an inspired man as he headed for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar and led Morocco to a first FIFA World Cup semi-final appearance for an African country.

En-Nesyri scored three goals in Qatar, the most notable one a stunning header in the quarterfinal against Portugal, in which he leaped high into the Doha sky to head home the only goal in a famous 1-0 win for the Moroccans.

The tournament proved to be a huge spark for En-Nesyri, who went on to score 16 goals in all competitions for Sevilla FC in 2023 to propel them up the La Liga Santander table and away from what was a relegation battle in the first half of the season.

His eight goals in 29 appearances this season, which have seen him pick up the LaLiga Santander April Player of the Month award have established him as one of the top strikers in the world.

En-Nesyri was also a major figure in Sevilla FC’s now customary but still remarkable run in the UEFA Europa League, playing a big part in dumping out Manchester United and Juventus FC in the knockouts and inspiring Sevilla FC to a seventh final - a tournament they have made their own over the years with a record-breaking six title wins since 2006.

The other two players that may give En-Nesyri a run for his money include Villarreal’s cult hero and Nigerian Super Eagles striker Samuel Chukwueze and Bilbao-born Ghana international Inaki William.

Chukwueze, the popular Nigerian Super Eagles attacker has scored six goals for Villarreal CF this season – including two sensational strikes in a 3-2 win against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu which generated headlines around the world – and created five more to underline his importance for the Yellow Submarine.

Chukwueze has formed a formidable partnership with Senegalese international Nicolas Jackson, who is a star in the making with 10 goals and three assists in 34 games in all competitions for Villarreal CF this season.

Inaki, by mid-May the 28-year-old Black Star had scored nine goals with two assists in 32 games for Athletic Club and he has always been a key figure for the Basque team.

Williams was named LaLiga Santander mid-Season African MVP in January after overwhelmingly receiving the bulk of votes from a jury of football journalists and fans.

The Laliga delegate for Ethiopia, Kenya, and Uganda, Alvaro Abreu Puig described the award as a good description for the presence of African football in Laliga. 

“It’s a unique campaign to promote the African presence in Spanish football,” Alvaro said. “The award is also a role model for those young players believing in the dream of playing in the top leagues.” 

Last year’s LaLiga Santander African MVP, Yassine ‘Bono’ Bounou, has not yet been able to replicate last season’s heroics regularly, underscored by keeping just five clean sheets in his 24 games for Sevilla FC, but the Moroccan shot-stopper has certainly shown the class that sees him so highly regarded in European football.

Bono became the first African to record three clean sheets in a single FIFA World Cup last year in Qatar and while En-Nesyri was grabbing the headlines up front, Bono grabbed the plaudits for a stunning display in keeping Cristiano Ronaldo and Joao Felix at bay in what was his 50th appearance for his country.

Bono may not have done enough to defend his LaLiga Santander African MVP crown, but he is certainly a credit to LaLiga Santander.

A jury of 35 top African journalists has convened to decide the end-of-season LaLiga Santander African MVP, while there is also a public vote to decide the winner.