Moestafa El Kabir (Arabic: مصطفى الكبير; born 5 October 1988) is a Dutch-Moroccan[1] former professional footballer who played as a forward.

Starting off his career with NEC in the Netherlands in 2008, he went on to play for clubs in Sweden, Italy, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Japan before retiring in 2022.

[3][5] After leaving Ajax, he was offered a contract by rivals, Feyenoord, but the trauma of the abdominal muscles prevented him from joining the club.

[2] But in the summer of 2008, El Kabir left FC Utrecht to sign with Eredivisie side NEC on 3 June 2008, starting his professional career.

[12] Since making his debut for the club, El Kabir received a handful of first team football, mostly coming from the substitute bench.

[16] A month later on 22 September 2009, El Kabir scored his first goal for the club, in a 3–2 win against FC Eindhoven in the second round of the KNVB Beker.

[18] While serving a suspension, it was announced on 9 November 2009 that El Kabir was dropped from the first team, due to his continuous disciplined over his weight problems and never played for the club again.

[19] It was announced on 8 February 2010 that El Kabir was told he would not be playing any more matches for NEC, as result of disciplinary action, and even allowed to leave the club despite having two years left to his contract.

[21] It was announced on 7 March 2010 that El Kabir moved to Sweden, joining new promoted Allsvenskan side Mjällby AIF, signing a two–year contract.

"[23] El Kabir made his Mjällby AIF debut, starting a match and played 75 minutes before being substituted, in a 0–0 draw against AIK in the opening game of the season.

[36] Despite being sidelined throughout the 2010 season, El Kabir continued to be in the first team regular for Mjällby AIF, playing in an attacking position.

At the start of the 2011 season, El Kabir continued to be in the first team regular despite transfer speculation over his future at Mjällby AIF.

[39] After being sidelined for one match, El Kabir scored twice on his return to the starting line–up, helping the side win 3–0 against IFK Norrköping on 30 April 2011.

[41] In a follow–up match against Gefle, however, El Kabir suffered an injury in early first half and had to be substituted in the 24th minute, in what turned out to be his last appearance for the side this season, as Mjällby AIF drew 0–0.

[44] Despite this, it wasn't until on 12 August 2012 when El Kabir made his first appearance for the side, coming on as a 64th-minute substitute and set up the club's second goal of the game, in a 4–2 loss against IFK Göteborg.

[48] On 5 April 2011, Cagliari's President Massimo Cellino announced they signed El Kabir on loan for the 2011–12 Serie A season.

[53] After recovering from his muscle injury strain in late–December, it wasn't until on 8 January 2012 when El Kabir returned to the first team, coming on as an 83rd-minute substitute, in a 3–0 win against Genoa.

[58] El Kabir made his Häcken debut in the Svenska Cupen against Falkenberg and set up the club's only goal of the game, as they lost 2–1.

[64] He played an important role in the first leg of UEFA Europa League Second Qualifying Round, setting up both goals, in a 2–2 draw against Sparta Prague.

[72][73] Amid the transfer speculation, El Kabir started the season well when he scored three times in the Svenska Cupen against Örgryte and Mjällby AIF (twice).

In July 2014, El Kabir joined Al Ahli SC on a one-and-a-half-year contract for a reported fee of SEK 8 and 9 million.

[87] A month later on 7 March 2015 against Kayseri Erciyesspor, El Kabir provided four assists in the club's four goals of the game, as they won 4–2.

[92] Having become a first team regular, playing in a striker position, El Kabir went on to make eighteen appearances and scoring five times in all competitions.

[105] El Kabir made his first start for the side, playing 66 minutes before being substituted, in a 1–0 win against Albirex Niigata on 27 August 2016.

[110] Two days after leaving Japan, El Kabir returned to Turkey to sign for Antalyaspor on a two–year and a half contract.

[111] El Kabir made his Antalyaspor debut on 12 February 2017 against Konyaspor and scored the opening goal of the game, in a 1–1 draw.

[114] Despite being on the sidelines on three occasions later in the 2016–17 season, El Kabir was a first team regular, as he made eleven appearances and scoring three times in all competitions.

[124] Although he was sidelined on two occasions, including being sent–off for a second bookable offence in a 2–0 loss against Malmö on 20 May 2018,[125] he went on to make eight appearances and scoring two times in all competitions.

[142] After making two appearances, it was announced on 13 January 2020 that El Kabir left Çaykur Rizespor by mutual consent.

[153][7] However, lack of recognition from Morocco led El Kabir to change his mind, saying he's open to play for Sweden instead.