It’s been a hell of a year in Spanish football.
Real Madrid have reclaimed the La Liga crown, Barcelona have collapsed into mid-table darkness and financial ruin, and of course Diego Simone is riding with Atletico Madrid again.
This year has also seen the return to La Liga of Spanish legend David Silva with top-flight Real Sociedad, while Sevilla and Villarreal have closed the gap at that higher level.
And obviously, heroes have been invented across the country for a range of teams, breaking onto the scene or reaffirming suspicions that they are undeniable talents in the game. But who are the 11 players who have stood out from the crowd. crowd in 2020?
Without further ado, let’s check 90 minutes official, La Liga: Team of the Year.
We start with a controversial choice from the start. Title winner Thibaut Courtois was excluded from our TOTY, to be replaced by Atleti star Jan Oblak. There is a method behind the madness, as always.
Courtois may have been crowned champion this summer, but he hasn’t reached those levels this season. Meanwhile, Oblak only conceded five goals in the first 13 games and won countless points for the Rojiblancos with vital saves on their rise to the top of La Liga.
Not to mention, it is world class. So, by conceding nine less than its direct rival just about places the Slovenian first for 2020.
When Kieran Trippier stormed Tottenham Hotspur’s right flank, the general consensus was: “Yeah, he can whip an average ball into the box, but that’s a handicap at the back. “Well, not anymore.
After being instructed to forget everything he learned about defense and being brainwashed from Simeone’s brick wall, Trippier came out the other side as one of the strongest full-backs and most reliable in Europe.
Again, only five goals conceded, as well as four assists. Find yourself a man who can do both.
Quite simply, the best defender in the league – Sergio Ramos East Real Madrid. He shows up in great times, sets an example and asks everyone to do the same. Without him, Los Blancos are a different team – and a lot weaker.
Last season’s 11-goal contribution was followed by two more this year, and after a shaky start Ramos has regained his form and brought Madrid back into the title race with their city rivals.
There are plenty of clutch moments waiting around the corner in this thrilling season, and you can guarantee this world-class defender will be ready to tip them in his favor.
How long will Jules Kounde be a Sevilla defender? It’s a sad truth of the game, but the young Frenchman has caused such a sensation since arriving in La Liga in 2019, that it’s only a matter of time before he leaves for one of the European heavyweights.
Kounde has excelled once again this season, contributing to La Liga’s second best defense, having conceded just 10 goals in 14 games. His athleticism, pace and aerial skills make him one of the most complete center-backs in the game.
Enjoy it while it is here, Seville, because fate is calling you.
Replacing Sergio Reguilon was always going to be one of the toughest tasks in this summer’s transfer window, but Sevilla pulled it off with the signing of Marcos Acuña.
The Argentine has settled down incredibly well in Seville, easily adapting to the style of los Nervionenses. As with Kounde, he played his part in keeping a tight ship in the stern, and deserves all the praise he receives.
Smart business like never before from Monchi.
The most reliable player in La Liga, without a shadow of a doubt. Casemiro has thrived at the base of the Madrid midfielder since 2015, and his grip on that role has only tightened in the six years.
Like Ramos, he enjoys big chances, most recently appearing and scoring a crucial header against Atleti in a 2-0 victory, as well as a goal and an assist in the all-important 2-2 draw with Borussia Monchengladbach.
Not to mention, he’s a world-class anchor in one of Europe’s top teams. He has the lot.
Mikel Merino has had a wonderful 2020. The Spaniard’s excellent results at the end of the 2019/20 campaign saw him make the national team for the first time, and he then made six senior appearances. for the Furia Roja.
Returning with Real Sociedad he just got better and better, featuring in their incredible run to the top of the table, before three straight losses put a dent in their ambitious challenge for the title.
Still, a top four would be an incredible achievement, and with Merino among them, anything is possible.
It’s fair to say that Joao Felix had to bide his time to win over coach Simeone, but the Portuguese prodigy is now the most important attacking player on this team.
The 21-year-old is rocking Atleti, and it’s his creative spark and sprinkling of magic that has brought them across the line so often this season. His five goals and three assists have propelled Los Rojiblancos to the top of the league, and they may never have a better chance of getting there.
Simeone must place all his faith in Felix from now on and allow the superstar to transport his men to the Promised Land.
Okay, it’s probably the worst season of his professional career, but you can’t help but include Lionel Messi in this squad, right? Even when those around him seem disinterested or downright below average, he has improved his game to try and keep Barca as a competitive force.
In the end, the Argentinian’s heroism in the league and in Europe was not enough to bring success, and his disappointment almost confirmed his exit from Camp Nou. Thank the Lord, he stayed.
This season might not be going very well for the Blaugrana, but you can’t put that at the feet of this magical man.
In a season of good margins, Karim Benzema showed up and delivered one of his best individual campaigns, and that was just enough to bring title glory back to the Spanish capital.
21 league goals in 2019/20 have been chased by eight in the new season, including four in his last three games. With the Frenchman in great shape, Madrid simply cannot lose.
At 33, you would think Los Blancos would have found a suitable replacement for Benzema by now. But you can’t replace world class that easily.
And to complete our La Liga Team of the Year we have the majestic Real Sociedad winger Mikel Oyarzabal. The 23-year-old has been tearing apart Spain’s top flight since he was a teenager, but it’s in the last three years that he’s really started to blossom.
The Spaniard has already managed seven goals this season and his stellar form has seen him amass 11 national team caps. Like Merino, his displays carried his club and his country throughout 2020.
Reaching the 200 appearance mark already is quite a feat for the winger, and he is certain to remain a Real Madrid legend if he stays true to white and blue.
