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For the past several years, La Liga has been a hotbed of generational talent and exceptional squads. Real Madrid and Barcelona are bonafide European giants and Diego Simeone's Atletico Madrid have also joined them in recent years to make for an intriguing competition.
The 2020-21 edition of La Liga was one of the most competitive in recent history with all three Spanish giants involved in the title race for the majority of the campaign. After weeks of edge-of-the-seat action, Atletico Madrid emerged as the winners in the final week of the season to take the La Liga crown.
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Real Madrid and Barcelona fail to beat Atletico Madrid to La Liga title
Atletico Madrid's victory in La Liga deprived both Real Madrid and Barcelona of important league titles this year. While Real Madrid put up a commendable fight and gave Los Colchoneros a run for their money, Barcelona were unable to make the most of the excellent players at their disposal and finished in third place.
Sevilla have punched above their weight this season and will feature in the UEFA Champions League yet again under Julen Lopetegui. The likes of Villarreal, Real Betis, and Real Sociedad have also enjoyed fruitful campaigns and will likely aim for the skies next season.
In addition to experienced superstars and seasoned technicians, La Liga has also procured its yearly dose of young blood this season. Here is a look at the top 10 players in La Liga this season, according to WhoScored.com ratings. (All the ratings are out of 10).
#10 Kieran Trippier (Atletico Madrid) | 7.2
Kieran Trippier's season with Atletico Madrid has been a testament to the brilliance, resolve, and character of the English full-back. Trippier has had his problems with the English FA this season and has bounced back with a well-deserved La Liga victory.
Atletico Madrid have seldom fielded aggressive full-backs and tend to prefer the overtly defensive type. Kieran Trippier, however, is a departure from the norm and his ability to scythe through the flanks adds a unique dimension to Diego Simeone's side.
The right-back has managed six La Liga assists this season and his overlapping runs have been difficult to track. Trippier is one of the best English players plying his trade outside the Premier League and has enjoyed a magnificent season.
#9 Joselu (Deportivo Alaves) | 7.22
While several players on this list are either the usual suspects or up-and-coming starlets from the best that La Liga has to offer, Joselu is a sure-fire departure from the norm. The 31-year-old striker has thrived at Deportivo Alaves this season and is arguably the sole reason for their survival in La Liga.
With 11 goals and three assists to his name, Joselu has scored nearly a third of Deportivo Alaves' total goal tally in La Liga this season and has shouldered much of their burden in the final third. The seasoned campaigner has scored crucial goals this season and is his side's most important player.
Deportivo Alaves were only four points away from the relegation zone this season and have Joselu to thank for an impressive campaign. Joselu is in the form of his life at the moment and will have to replicate his heroics next season if his club is to extend its stay in the top flight.
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#8 Toni Koos (Real Madrid) | 7.22
Real Madrid's La Liga campaign has suffered its fair share of problems this season but Toni Kroos has remained at his effervescent best for Los Blancos. The German midfielder has been one of Real Madrid's most consistent players over the course of the season and has played a key role in their success.
Zinedine Zidane has had to deal with a series of injuries this year and has relied heavily on the experienced heads in his dressing room. Alongside his partners-in-crime Luka Modric and Casemiro, Toni Kroos was a metronomic midfield presence for the Spanish giants and helped Los Blancos to an impressive La Liga finish.
Real Madrid have given Atletico Madrid a run for their money this season and Kroos ensured that his side were breathing down Diego Simeone's neck on the final day of the season. The German superstar has been an image of consistency and poise and will be intent on winning silverware next season.
#7 Mikel Merino (Real Sociedad) | 7.24
La Liga has historically been the ideal breeding ground for some of the best midfielders in Europe. Real Sociedad's Mikel Merino has been knocking on the Spanish national team for several years and is now inching towards his peak with La Real.
Alongside Mikel Oyarzabal and seasoned maestro David Silva, Mikel Merino has spearheaded Real Sociedad's brilliant La Liga campaign and has emerged as one of Spain's best progressive passers. Merino's ability to combine potent forward play with tenacious ball-winning prowess makes him one of La Liga's most effective midfielders.
Real Sociedad have managed an impressive fifth-placed finish this season and owe much of their improvement to the dynamic Mikel Merino. The Basque giants have qualified for the UEFA Europa League this year and will rely heavily on their star midfielder to guide them to an unprecedented European trophy.
#6 Marcos Llorente (Atletico Madrid) | 7.26
Atletico Madrid have upset the established order in La Liga yet again this season and have Diego Simeone to thank for his sustained brilliance. The Argentine manager has introduced a fresh approach to the club's La Liga title charge and the likes of Marcos Llorente and Angel Correa have thrived as a result.
Llorente, in particular, has enjoyed a spectacular season at Atletico Madrid and has managed 12 goals and 11 assists for his side. The Spaniard's contributions have swayed several results in Atletico Madrid's favor and have played a key role in the club's La Liga success.
The 26-year-old star is entering the prime of his career and has been given a new lease of life by Diego Simeone. Marcos Llorente is one of Atletico Madrid's most important players at the moment and could carve a niche for himself at the club.
#5 Iago Aspas (Celta Vigo) | 7.32
Barcelona may depend heavily on Lionel Messi for their success but can arguably survive La Liga's competitive nature in the Argentine's absence. Celta Vigo, however, would find it near-impossible to trouble Spain's elite clubs without their talismanic striker Iago Aspas.
The former Liverpool man saved Celta Vigo from relegation last year and has now spearheaded their top-ten finish. The Galicians have an impressive midfield unit but rely heavily on their captain to seize the initiative in the final third.
With the talented Santi Mina for company, Iago Aspas has terrorized defenses in La Liga and has managed 14 goals and 13 assists this season. The Celta Vigo striker has adopted a more creative role this year and is an irreplaceable asset to his side.
Also Read: La Liga team of the season (2020/21)
#4 Casemiro (Real Madrid) | 7.36
Real Madrid have put together one of La Liga's most effective midfield units over the past few years and Casemiro remains at the forefront of his side's success. The midfield lynchpin has improved with age and his knack for producing match-winning moments has served Real Madrid well this season.
The Brazilian enforcer has been one of La Liga's best players this season and has been impressive both on and off the ball. Casemiro is the ideal foil for the likes of Toni Kroos and Luka Modric and has been at his imperious best under Zinedine Zidane.
The Real Madrid midfielder has also improved his goalscoring skills this season and has netted six goals in La Liga. Casemiro has been crucial to Real Madrid's title charge and is one of Los Blancos' most consistent performers.
#3 Karim Benzema (Real Madrid) | 7.57
Karim Benzema was Real Madrid's hero last year and led his side to an unprecedented La Liga title in the 2019-20 season. While a spate of injuries prevented Los Blancos from defending their league title this year, their French striker was as prolific as ever.
Benzema was in exceptional goalscoring form for Real Madrid and found the back of the net on a total of 23 occasions in La Liga. The seasoned forward won several matches for Real Madrid and had a massive impact on his side's fortunes.
Karim Benzema's brilliant performances have earned him a place in the France squad for the first time in several years. The French hitman is in the form of his life and is one of La Liga's best strikers at the moment.
#2 Gerard Moreno (Villarreal) | 7.62
Unai Emery's Villarreal has certainly managed to shake things up in La Liga this season. The Yellow Submarines have achieved some impressive results with their swashbuckling style of play and have primarily relied on Gerard Moreno to do the heavy lifting in the final third.
Moreno has been Villarreal's driving force this season and has scored an impressive 23 goals in La Liga. The Spaniard has been difficult to defend against and is a wily customer in the penalty area.
Gerard Moreno has also worked on the creative side of his game and has registered seven La Liga assists. The forward has thrived alongside Paco Alcacer and Carlos Bacca and will play a key role in Villarreal's future.
#1 Lionel Messi (Barcelona) | 8.52
Barcelona spent yet another La Liga campaign flattering to deceive as Ronald Koeman largely failed to keep the Blaugrana in the title race. Lionel Messi went about his work in typical fashion, however, and seemed in no mood to give in to the controversies that have plagued his season.
The Argentine superstar got off to a slow start to his La Liga season but began to flourish at the turn of the year. The Barcelona captain scored an incredible 30 goals in La Liga and also registered nine assists in the process.
Barcelona's dismal performance against Eibar in the absence of Lionel Messi in their final match of the season is a testament to their near-fatal reliance on the modern-day legend. Messi is still the best player in the world at the moment and has a point to prove in the Copa America this summer.
Also Read: Serie A 2020/21: Top 10 players this season according to ratings
