After a competitive La Liga season marked by close races across the league, here is the selected team of the season, broken down by position. Each position features a top performer and two runners-up, highlighting the exceptional talent on display.
Goalkeeper โ Joan Garcia โ Barcelona
Joan Garcia of Barcelona has earned the top spot in goal, marking his first Zamora Trophy. His performance this season saw him make more saves and prevent more expected goals than anyone else, proving crucial in Barcelona’s title challenge. His injury in the autumn directly correlated with a significant increase in goals conceded by the team, underscoring his importance.
2nd: Aaron Escandell โ His early season heroics were instrumental in Real Oviedo’s survival hopes.
3rd: Mat Ryan โ Key saves from Ryan were vital in Levante’s remarkable second-half comebacks, helping them avoid relegation.
Right-back โ Marcos Llorente โ Atletico Madrid
Marcos Llorente of Atletico Madrid is a deserving inclusion. His relentless drive, speed, and stamina make him a constant threat to opponents, and his defensive solidity was a cornerstone of Atletico’s campaign. He consistently provides whatever the team needs, making him indispensable.
2nd: Andrei Ratiu โ Displayed excellent form for Rayo Vallecano, showcasing the qualities of a winger in a right-back’s body.
3rd: Santiago Mourino โ A converted center-back, Mourino proved to be a rock-solid presence at right-back for Villarreal.
Centre-back โ Marc Pubill โ Atletico Madrid
Marc Pubill has been a standout defender for Atletico Madrid. His heroic performances in crucial knockout matches against Barcelona and Arsenal demonstrated his ability to perform at the highest level and even excel.
2nd: Pau Cubarsi โ Finished the season strongly, showing remarkable composure and consistency for Barcelona.
3rd: David Affengruber โ A revelation for Elche, his poise on the ball and defensive prowess were essential in their fight for survival.
Centre-back โ Florian Lejeune โ Rayo Vallecano
Veteran center-back Florian Lejeune had a sensational season, playing a pivotal role in Rayo Vallecano’s push for European qualification and their first major final. His masterful use of his body, balancing physicality with disciplined defending, and his clean tackles were exceptional.
2nd: Eric Garcia โ Showcased excellent versatility and overall performance for Barcelona, particularly in the first half of the season.
3rd: Zaid Romero โ A key figure in Getafe’s defensive strength, contributing significantly to their impressive defensive record.
Left-back โ Carlos Romero โ Espanyol
Carlos Romero has been recognized as the best left-back in Spain. Despite Espanyol’s season decline, Romero’s six assists and three goals, combined with improved defensive capabilities and attacking versatility, made him a standout performer.
2nd: German Valera โ His tireless running as an offensive wing-back was a constant example for Eder Sarabia’s side, driving many of Elche’s best counter-attacks.
3rd: Yuri Berchiche โ Despite a challenging season for Athletic Club, Berchiche consistently performed, offering defensive versatility and seven assists.
Central Midfielder โ Pedri Gonzalez โ Barcelona
Pedri Gonzalez is the creative heartbeat of Barcelona’s midfield. Despite a dip in April, he is a strong contender for Barcelona’s player of the season. His ability to control the game and dictate play is unparalleled, and Barcelona’s performance suffered significantly during his absences.
2nd: Arda Guler โ A bright spark for the future, Guler impressed with six goals and 14 assists, tying for third in La Liga assists despite limited starts.
3rd: Pape Gueye โ A player who embodies the term ‘Rolls-Royce’, Gueye is smooth, technically gifted, and incredibly difficult to dispossess.
Central Midfielder โ Luis Milla โ Getafe
Luis Milla has been a driving force behind Getafe’s surprising qualification for Europe. His joint-second place for assists (10) in a low-scoring team and his decisive solo goal highlight his immense contribution, accounting for a third of Getafe’s goals. He consistently makes the right decisions and is always in the right position.
2nd: Koke Resurreccion โ Against expectations, Koke proved to be Atletico Madrid’s best midfielder, rolling back the years with his influential performances.
3rd: Aurelien Tchouameni โ Provided stability for Real Madrid’s midfield, performing at a high level and continuing to lead even when the team struggled.
Central Midfielder โ Fermin Lopez โ Barcelona
Fermin Lopez has been a crucial player for Barcelona, stepping up during the absence of key teammates. Despite playing in various roles, he achieved an impressive 13 goals and 17 assists in 48 games, averaging a goal contribution every 92 minutes. His defensive bite and work rate were also vital for the team.
2nd: Pablo Fornals โ Carried Real Betis through the first half of the season, taking on increased defensive responsibilities.
3rd: Aleix Febas โ The orchestrator of Elche’s successful season, Febas’s influence was so significant that opponents had to gameplan around him.
Forward โ Lamine Yamal โ Barcelona
Lamine Yamal has had a remarkable season, finishing with 42 goal contributions in 45 appearances. He has become Barcelona’s go-to solution and a true leader, with his exceptional talent now the focus for building a Champions League-winning team.
2nd: Antoine Griezmann โ Atletico Madrid’s most talented and arguably best player, his intelligence and skill remain unmatched.
3rd: Williot Swedberg โ Showcased his arrival as a top talent with 10 goals and seven assists, proving to be a joy to watch.
Forward โ Vedat Muriqi โ RCD Mallorca
Vedat Muriqi’s 23 goals were a valiant effort to keep RCD Mallorca in La Liga, but ultimately fell short. He was responsible for over half of the team’s goals and outscored Kylian Mbappe in open play. His performance this season was undoubtedly the best of his career.
2nd: Carlos Espi โ Levante’s miraculous survival was heavily influenced by Espi’s lethal finishing, directly contributing to 11 points.
3rd: Toni Martinez โ A decisive player in the second half of the season, his 14 goals were crucial in keeping Alaves in the top flight.
Forward โ Kylian Mbappe โ Real Madrid
Despite a quieter second half of the season, Kylian Mbappe was instrumental in Real Madrid’s success in the first half, scoring over half of their goals. He finished the season with 42 goals and seven assists in 44 appearances, securing the Pichichi award for his 25 La Liga strikes.
2nd: Vinicius Junior โ Finished the season strongly, rediscovering his devastating form under Alvaro Arbeloa.
3rd: Ez Abde โ Stepped up significantly for Real Betis, taking on the mantle and carrying the team through numerous matches.
Manager of the Year โ Inigo Perez โ Rayo Vallecano
Inigo Perez has achieved something historic with Rayo Vallecano, leading them to their first-ever top-level final and a second European appearance. His exceptional human and personal skills have made him a beloved figure, and his team is consistently described as one of the toughest to face. He has embodied the spirit of Vallecas and reached unprecedented heights for the club.
2nd: Jose Bordalas โ Despite starting with a limited squad, Bordalas built the third-best defense in the league, earning him significant recognition.
3rd: Luis Castro โ Guided Levante to a miraculous escape from the relegation zone, demonstrating incredible resolve and securing Champions League football.
