Leonardo Zabala Explained

Leonardo Yassir Zabala Zeballos (born 23 May 2003) is a Bolivian football player who plays as central defender for Mexican club Cancún and the Bolivia national team.

Club career

Zabala began playing football at the age of four with local side .^[1] In September 2019, after representing Club Calleja, he joined Palmeiras after standing out in a local tournament.^{[2] [3]}

On 23 September 2021, Zabala signed a contract with Santos until December 2022, being initially assigned to the under-20s.^[4] On 7 June of the following year, he further extended his deal until December 2023.^[5]

On 16 March 2023, after already being involved in first team trainings, Zabala further extended his link until the end of 2025.^[6] Late in the month, he suffered a knee injury while on international duty, being sidelined for the remainder of the year.^[7]

On 25 July 2024, Santos announced that Zabala had left the club after rescinding his contract, and his signature for Liga de Expansión MX side Cancún.^[8] He made his senior debut on 17 August, coming on as a late substitute in a 0–0 home draw against Mineros de Zacatecas.

International career

On 9 October 2020, Zabala debuted for the Bolivia national team in a 5-0 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification loss to Brazil.^{[9] [10]}

Personal life

Zabala is the nephew of the Bolivian international footballer Wilder Zabala.^[2]

Career statistics

International

National team	Year	Competitive		Friendly		Total
		Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Bolivia	2020	1	0	0	0	1	0
	2023	0	0	1	0	1	0
Total		1	0	1	0	2	0

Notes and References

1. Web site: Liderados por 'lenda' Miguelito, bolivianos constroem uma família no Santos. Led by 'legendary' Miguelito, Bolivians build a family at Santos. UOL Esporte. pt-BR. 4 October 2022. 4 October 2022.
2. Web site: Leonardo Zabala, el boliviano que juega en Palmeiras y fue llamado a la selección. Leonardo Zabala, the Bolivian who plays at Palmeiras and was called up to the national team. El Deber. es. 10 August 2020.
3. Web site: Terceros, Uzeda y Zabala: el Proyecto Bolivia 2022 ya rinde sus frutos. Terceros, Uzeda and Zabala: the Proyecto Bolivia 2022 already reaps its rewards. Premium Sports. es. 9 November 2021. 30 August 2022.
4. Web site: Santos contrata jovem zagueiro boliviano que estava no Palmeiras. Santos sign young Bolivian stopper who was at Palmeiras. Lance!. pt-BR. 23 September 2021. 27 September 2021.
5. Web site: Santos assina novos contratos com bolivianos da base. Santos sign new contracts with Bolivians from the youth setup. Lance!. pt-BR. 7 June 2022. 30 August 2022.
6. Web site: Santos acerta renovação de contrato com Leonardo Zabala. Santos agree contract renewal with Leonardo Zabala. ge. pt-BR. 16 March 2023. 17 March 2023.
7. Web site: Zabala sofre lesão no ligamento cruzado e está fora da temporada. Zabala suffers a cruciate ligament injury and is out for the season. Diário do Peixe. pt-BR. 26 March 2023. 31 March 2023.
8. Web site: Santos FC e Leonardo Zabala assinam acordo para rescisão do contrato. Santos FC and Leonardo Zabala sign agreement for the rescision of the contract. Santos FC. pt-BR. 25 July 2024. 25 July 2024.
9. Web site: Brazil vs. Bolivia - 10 October 2020 - Soccerway. uk.soccerway.com.
10. Web site: Farías: "podemos visualizar una buena sub 20 y con posibilidades reales de pelear un cupo al Mundial". Farías: "we can visualize a good under-20 and with real possibilities to fight for a place in the World Cup". Federación Boliviana de Fútbol. es. 5 December 2020. 30 August 2022.