'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#3 Marcos Llorente | Atletico Madrid
Marcos Llorente had a fabulous 2020-21 La Liga campaign for the Rojiblancos. The Real Madrid academy product joined Atletico in 2019 and has since become one of the most dynamic midfielders in Europe.
With Diego Simeone asking him to play a more advanced role, Llorente worked hard on his finishing skills, emerging as a goal-scoring machine for the Rojiblancos. He scored 12 goals and provided 11 assists in the 2020-21 La Liga, becoming only the second player in the Spanish top flight to record double-digit tallies in both categories this season.
#2 Karim Benzema | Real Madrid
Karim Benzema's incredible performances for Real Madrid often went unnoticed over the years, thanks to the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale hogging the limelight.
However, after the departure of Ronaldo, Benzema has stepped up, scoring over 20 La Liga goals for the third consecutive season to earn a recall to the France team for the first time in six years.
The Frenchman scored 23 goals and provided nine assists in the 2020-21 La Liga, including a goal and an assist on the final day of the season against Villareal.
#1 Lionel Messi | Barcelona
Statistically or otherwise, Lionel Messi was the best player in the 2020-21 La Liga by some distance. The Argentine, who turns 34 in June, continued to make goal-scoring look effortless, scoring from open play, free-kicks and penalty spots; he also found the back of the net with a couple of headers.
Messi, who won a record-extending eighth Pichichi award, was rated 8.52 by Whoscored for his tally of 30 goals and nine assists in the 2020-21 La Liga season. Despite his exploits, it was a shame he couldn't inspire the Blaugrana to the La Liga title.
Messi had as many as eight shots hitting the woodwork this term. He created more chances (77) than any other player in the Spanish top flight, also completing a league-best 159 dribbles.
Despite Barcelona failing to go all the way in the La Liga and the Champions League, Messi ensured the Blaugrana didn't go trophyless for the second season running, scoring a sublime brace in the 4-0 win over Atheltic Bilbao in the Copa Del Rey.
Also Read: 10 highest-paid players in La Liga this season (2020/21).
