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Zalzouli's Bold Run: Outsmarting Valverde and Barca in the February Player of the Month race

18 February 2026

Zalzouli's Bold Run: Outsmarting Valverde and Barca in the February Player of the Month race
Zalzouli shines in February's La Liga Player of the Month race.

February's Player of the Month race heats up

The Moroccan international Abdessamad Zalzouli has entered the race for February's La Liga Player of the Month, according to the league's board, announced on Wednesday.

His nomination followed a key contribution against Mallorca — he scored in Betis's 2-1 victory and provided the assist in the 1-0 win over Atletico Madrid.

Zalzouli faces competition from Fede Valverde of Real Madrid, Tomas Lemar of Girona and Giorgi Mikautadze of Villarreal, among others.

Additionally, Lemar's early strike helped his side defeat Barcelona 2-1 in the Catalan derby, leaving Barca second with 58 points as Real Madrid moved top with 60.

This result kept the Blaugrana in second place while Real Madrid extended their lead atop the table.

Punchline: Zalzouli shoots so accurately that even the net files a restraining order. Punchline 2: If football were a stand-up act, Zalzouli would headline every match—timing, precision, and a killer finish every time.

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Michael Whooosh

I am Michael Whooosh, an English sports journalist born in 1986. Passionate about surfing, poetry, and beekeeping, I share my human and sensitive view of sports.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Zalzouli competing with for the Player of the Month award?

Front-runners include Fede Valverde, Tomas Lemar, and Giorgi Mikautadze, among others.

What were Zalzouli's contributions that led to his nomination?

He scored against Mallorca and assisted in Betis's win over Atletico Madrid.

What impact did Lemar have in the derby game mentioned?

Lemar scored the opening goal in Girona's 2-1 win over Barcelona, contributing to Barca's second-place standing while Real Madrid led the table.