La Liga team of the season (2020/21)

Defensive Midfield - Frenkie de Jong (Barcelona)

De Jong has improved at Barcelona

Given Barcelona's shockingly poor La Liga season, Frenkie de Jong is one of only two Blaugrana players in the team of the season. The Dutchman received a fair share of criticism last year for his lackluster outings but has now silenced his critics into submission with an array of brilliant performances.

De Jong has become one of Barcelona's most important players under Ronald Koeman and his intelligence and poise in the middle of the pitch has allowed the talismanic Lionel Messi to bring the lethal side of his game to the fore.

The Dutchman's versatility has also saved Barcelona from spots of bother in La Liga, with Ronald Koeman employing the former Ajax man as a centre-back to make light of the Catalans' mid-season injury crisis.

Frenkie de Jong has been one of the few bright spots in an otherwise shambolic La Liga season for Barcelona and has ironically been one of the club's best centre-backs this season. De Jong has also improved his attacking output with seven goals in all competitions and could go on to become a modern-day La Liga behemoth.

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Central Midfield - Toni Kroos (Real Madrid)

Toni Kroos continues to perform for Real Madrid

After nearly a decade of technical brilliance and consistency, it should come as no surprise that Toni Kroos remains one of La Liga's best midfielders. The German superstar was Real Madrid's midfield stalwart yet again this season and his performances gave Zidane plenty of respite in what was an injury-ridden campaign for Los Blancos.

Alongside Luka Modric, Casemiro and the dynamic Federico Valverde, Toni Kroos pulled the strings for Real Madrid in typical fashion and carried their title challenge to the final day of the season. Kroos has scored crucial goals for Real Madrid this season and managed to make an impact against both Barcelona and Atletico Madrid.

🤬 "It's not about being bitter, it's about being angry." -- Toni Kroos revisits *that* penalty decision and its bearing on the LaLiga title race https://t.co/VoOI7FmjGe

— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) May 20, 2021

With Real Madrid entering a period of transition this year, Toni Kroos will now have the added responsibility of taking the youngsters in the squad under his wing. Kroos is one of La Liga's most experienced heads at the moment and remains one of the best midfielders in the world.

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Attacking Midfield - Marcos Llorente (Atletico Madrid)

Llorente has enjoyed an excellent season

Atletico Madrid's historic La Liga season has produced several new club legends who have taken their place in the city's folklore. Marcos Llorente might be too young for the moniker but his performances this season have made him a fan favorite at the Wanda Metropolitano.

Llorente's contributions in the final third this season have often guided Atletico Madrid across the finish line in a season that has been defined by fine margins. With 12 goals and 11 assists in La Liga, the Spaniard's resurgence has transformed Atletico Madrid's league fortunes.

The engine of the champions. 🔝Nobody deserves this #LaLigaSantander title more than @marcosllorente! ❤️ @atletienglish 🤍pic.twitter.com/eVmaYp7qBW

— LaLiga English (@LaLigaEN) May 22, 2021

Simeone, to his credit, has brought the best out of Marcos Llorente and has used his versatility to commendable effect. Llorente is the ideal fit for Atletico Madrid at the moment and could help the newly-crowned La Liga champions attain unprecedented heights in the coming years.

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Honorable Mentions: Casemiro (Real Madrid), Luka Modric (Real Madrid), Mikel Merino (Real Sociedad), Dani Parejo (Villarreal), Fernando (Sevilla), Carlos Soler (Valencia), David Silva (Real Sociedad)

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