La Liga 2016/17: Team of the season

Another thrilling La Liga season has come to an end and as usual, the race for the League title was between the two arch rivals: Real Madrid and Barcelona. The title race went down to the last day where Los Blancos kept their calm and nerves to win the prestigious league for an incredible 33^rd time.

This time as well, the first three spots were taken by Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid. As such, it is not much of a surprise that our team of the season is made up mostly of stars from these 3 teams.

With so many great players and incredible performances right throughout the season, it was no easy task to pick the 11 best players. Without much ado, let us take a look at 2016/17 La Liga team of the season:

Jan Oblak (Goalkeeper) – Atletico Madrid

In the last few seasons, Atletico Madrid have always had some outstanding young goalkeepers. After David de Gea and Thibaut Courtois, 24-year-old Slovenian youngster Jan Oblak has been turning heads with his stunning shot-stopping skills for Los Rojiblancos.have always had some outstanding young goalkeepers. After David de Gea and Thibaut Courtois, 24-year-old Slovenian youngster Jan Oblak has been turning heads with his stunning shot-stopping skills for Los Rojiblancos.

Winner of the prestigious Ricardo Zamora trophy (best goalkeeper award) for two seasons running, Oblak has displayed tremendous powers of concentration, reflexes and ability to command the box over the last two seasons.

Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid side are renowned for being defensively sound, and Oblak as the goalkeeper has played a huge role in cementing Atletico Madrid’s 3^rd place finish in the League.

Dani Carvajal (Right-back) – Real Madrid

One of the few players to have successfully made the transition from the youth team to the first team, Carvajal has slowly made the right back position his own at Los Blancos. Showing tremendous pace and fitness, Carvajal is never shy of going forward and provides Real Madrid with a good outlet on the right side flank while attacking.

One of Zidane’s most trusted players in this squad, Carvajal has time and again shown his worth in crunch situations. With Zidane giving his full-backs the license to send early crosses into the box, Carvajal has shown that he does not lack technical quality and skill and has created an incredible 35 goalscoring chances this season.

Although an injury ruled him out for the latter part of the season, Carvajal with his stunning and consistent performances has been miles ahead of the other right-backs in the League. In fact, the Spaniard’s performances have been so good that last year’s expensive summer signing Danilo has firmly become the second choice under Zidane.

Diego Godin (Centre-back) – Atletico Madrid

A pure defender, Diego Godin has arguably been the most consistent centre-back in La Liga over the last 3 seasons. The Uruguayan has led the defensive line admirably and his presence and ability to ready play and cut out opposition attacks have proved invaluable to Diego Simeon’s side.

With 31 appearances this season, Godin has been one of the most important players for Los Rojiblancos and he along with Griezmann are the two world class players in this team. A true warrior on the pitch, The centre-back’s physical and bruising style of play has given opposition attackers plenty of sleepless nights.he along with Griezmann are the two world class players in this team. A true warrior on the pitch, The centre-back’s physical and bruising style of play has given opposition attackers plenty of sleepless nights.

Like always, Godin has remained a threat from set-pieces as well and he has managed to score 3 important goals this season. He has also had more headed shots (24) than any other defender in La Liga this season.

Quite simply put, Godin is the best defender in the Spanish league at the moment.

Gerard Pique (Centre-back) – Barcelona

Barcelona defender Gerard Pique has been solid and composed on the ball right throughout La Liga this season. After suffering a dip in form over the last 2 campaigns, the Catlan has finally been back to playing the football he is capable of. Equally comfortable in a back 4 or a back 3, Pique has defended solidly and played an important role in starting off his team’s attacks.

Extremely adept at picking out the right man, Pique is the joint highest for most number of successful passes for defenders in the League. While his ability on the ball has never been in doubt, this season, Pique has matured immensely as a defender.

The 30-year-old has been a leader of the fragile Barcelona back-line and he has also formed a good centre-back partnership with Frenchman Samuel Umtiti. Pique for his more assured defensive performances just edges out Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos to make La Liga’s team of the season.

Marcelo (Left-back) – Real Madrid

Probably the best left-back in world football at the moment, Marcelo was simply brilliant in Real Madrid’s La Liga title-winning campaign this season. One of the unsung heroes in this Madrid squad, Marcelo’s contribution and importance to Los Blancos cannot be underestimated.

Bombing up and down the flanks with limitless energy, the Brazilian often formed a potent partnership with Cristiano Ronaldo and scored and assisted some crucial goals during this season.

Not only was Marcelo extremely adept in attacking, he also was solid defensively. However, his attacking contributions stole the show as he made 9 assists and even scored a crucial late winner against Madrid’s bogey side Valencia.

Atletico Madrid’s Filipe Luis was also excellent this season, but Marcelo’s performance in the crucial matches this season sees the Brazilian full-back just edge out his compatriot for a spot in this team.

Asier Illaramendi (Central Midfielder) – Real Sociedad

Real Sociedad have had another impressive campaign in the 20176/17 season. Having finished an impressive 6^th La Real will be playing in the Europa League next season. While the team as a whole has performed well, the star of the show is undoubtedly former Real Madrid star Asier Illaramendi.

The 27-year-old midfielder has really matured this season and his performances this season have shown time and again that he is one of the best (If not the best) defensive midfielders in world football at the moment. Easily better than other destroyers like Busquets and even the impressive Casemiro, Illaramendi has been rewarded for his good performances throughout the season with a call-up to the Spain national squad.

Illaramendi is known for his reading of the game, positioning skills and interceptions. Over the course of this season, his passing range has also increased tremendously and the Basque-born midfielder plays a vital role in both defence and attack for his side.

The former Madrid player’s consistency can be seen from the fact that he has won an impressive 6 man of the match awards this season.

Toni Kroos (Central Midfielder) – Real Madrid

Probably Real Madrid’ s most consistent player this season, Toni Kroos has arguably taken his game to new heights ever since he made the switch to Madrid from Bayern Munich. Calm, composed and always assured on the ball, Kroos is the conductor in the midfield who pulls the strings for the Spanish giants.

One of the best players in La Liga this season, Kroos has the second-most assists in the league with 12 and has an incredible passing accuracy of 92%. Capable of picking out passes and spraying the ball across the field, the midfield maestro has been integral to Madrid’s impressive performances in the League.

The 27-year-old has arguably outshone some big names like Andres Iniesta, Ivan Rakitic and even his team-mate Luka Modric. Never wasting any pass, Kroos’ incisive passing, vision and brilliant set-pieces have made him one of the most important members of this impressive Real Madrid squad.

Isco (Attacking Midfielder) – Real Madrid

The former Golden Boy winner has shown his true class and playmaking skills this season. There was intense speculation about the Spaniard’s future but after his stunning performances in this campaign, Isco has quickly grown to become an integral member of Madrid’s title winning squad.

Having played 30 times this season, the 25-year-old Spaniard has contributed an impressive 10 goals and 8 assists. With Bale being out injured for long periods of time, Isco never allowed his manager to feel the Welshman's absence putting in match winning performances time and time again.

In fact, in the latter part of the season, Isco was easily Real Madrid’s best player, combining with Cristiano Ronaldo beautifully to set up many Madrid victories. His performances have been so good that many Madridistas and even certain Real Madrid teammates believe that the talented playmaker should start ahead of Gareth Bale in the Champions League final.

Lionel Messi (Right Winger) – Barcelona

What can be said about Messi that the world already does not know? The Argentine maestro gave us the most iconic image of the season when he celebrated the winner against Real Madrid in a pulsating Clasico by holding his shirt aloft to the supporters.

That moment has just been one among the many magic moments the Barcelona legend has given us to savour this season. Top of the pichichi standings with an incredible 37 goals, Messi has shown a ruthless streak in his game this season which has made him even more dangerous.

9 assists, a League-high 16 man of the match awards show that the Argentine has been miles ahead of his peers this season. It also shows how the rest of the Barcelona side has failed given that they fell short of the League title even with a player like Messi leading them.

Not afraid to get physical and take the game by the scruff of the neck, Messi has once again evolved his game in this campaign. Although his team did not end up winning the League title, Messi has certainly done enough to show that he is undoubtedly one of the best (if not the best) players in world football.

Luis Suarez (Striker) – Barcelona

Barcelona striker Luis Suarez might not have looked at his best this season, but there is no point arguing with his numbers. Second highest goalscorer on the list with 29 goals and the highest number of assists in the league as well with 13, Suarez has shown that he is always capable of making a difference in the attacking third of the pitch.

Tenacious, skilled and extremely determined, the Uruguayan sharpshooter has often shown that he is the best striker in world football at the moment. Having formed an excellent partnership with Messi and Neymar, Suarez has often been the difference between a win and draw for Luis Enrique’s side.

Supremely effective and a player capable of regularly producing something out of nothing, Suarez has once again shown that he is one of the best players not just in La Liga but the world. All this has come in a season where he has not been at his best and the former Liverpool striker will be determined to take his game to even greater heights next season.

Cristiano Ronaldo (Left-winger) – Real Madrid

Love him or hate him, you just cannot ignore Cristiano Ronaldo. Brilliantly handled by Zidane, the Portuguese superstar hit his peak at the right time scoring crucial goals in the last few matches to take Real Madrid over the finishing line.

Playing in a slightly different role this season, the 32-year-old has adapted his game brilliantly contributing to the side both as a finisher and creator of goals. Third highest scorer in the League with 25 goals, Ronaldo has often stepped up when the team has required him the most.

If this team of the season was done before May, Neymar might have probably edged out Ronaldo. However, the Portuguese superstar’s performances in the most important situations in the last few matches have tilted the scales in his favour.

A true winner and one of the most hardworking and gifted footballers on the pitch, Ronaldo in many people's eyes is already the favourite to claim another Ballon d’Or title this year.

While the team might have been picked, let us take a look at the manager of this team and the substitutes who narrowly missed making the cut in the next slide.

Manager and Substitutes

Was there any doubt as to who would be the manager of this team? The legendary Frenchman has cemented his legacy as one of the greatest Real Madrid managers ever by leading the club to an unprecedented 33^rd League title.

Rotating the side brilliantly and not afraid to back his players, Zidane has been the architect of Madrid’s successful season. Zidane’s contribution to the triumph can be seen by the fact that even star player Cristiano Ronaldo gave him most of the credit.

Players who were really good but just missed out on the team were:

Sergio Asenjo (Goalkeeper) – Villarreal

Filipe Luis (Left-back) – Atletico Madrid

Sergio Ramos (Centre-back) – Real Madrid

Steven Nzonzi (Defensive Midfielder) – Sevilla

Manu Trigueros (Central Midfielder) – Villarreal

Marcos Llorente (Defensive Midfielder) – Deportivo Alaves

Neymar (Left Winger) – Barcelona

Iago Aspas (Striker) – Celta Vigo