'%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)
#4 Mikel Merino (Real Sociedad)
Mikel Merino has enjoyed an excellent year with Real Sociedad and has grown into one of La Liga's best midfielders. La Real have exceeded expectations in La Liga this year and owe much of their success to their talented midfielder.
Mikel Merino has been impressive for Real Sociedad and his contributions in the midfield have made the club a force to reckon with on the pitch. The arrival of David Silva has also brought the best out of Mikel Merino and the duo has dominated games in La Liga this season.
Real Sociedad depend on Mikel Merino to transition between defence and attack and the Spaniard's intelligence has come to the fore to extraordinary effect this year. Real Sociedad will want a top-four finish in La Liga this season and will rely heavily on their most promising player.
#3 Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid)
Real Madrid have always been characterised by lionhearts for leaders and Sergio Ramos is arguably the icing on the cake. The Spanish defender has already written himself into the history books with his exploits over the past decade and has outdone himself in La Liga this year.
Sergio Ramos is a source of inspiration on the pitch and his vocal leadership style gave Real Madrid the impetus they needed to win the La Liga title. The centre-back was his side's designated penalty-taker and was deadly from the spot.
Sergio Ramos has missed a few games through injury this season and his presence in the defensive line makes a massive difference to Real Madrid's confidence. Los Blancos face a stern challenge in La Liga this season and will need their captain to step up to the plate yet again in the coming months.
#2 Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
Barcelona have made the headlines for all the wrong reasons this year. The Catalan giants suffered humiliating defeats in La Liga and the UEFA Champions League and have failed to win a single trophy in 2020.
Despite his side's struggles in the final third, Lionel Messi has continued to rack up the statistics in the final third. The Argentine star has been embroiled in several controversies this year but has managed to bag a respectable tally of contributions despite a discernible dip in his fitness.
Lionel Messi remains Barcelona's best player by a country mile at the moment and has improved by a considerable degree under Ronald Koeman. Much like his club, however, Lionel Messi has also had his ups and downs and will want to take it up a notch in 2021.
#1 Karim Benzema (Real Madrid)
Karim Benzema has been Real Madrid's best player since Cristiano Ronaldo's high-profile departure to Juventus and has reportedly proved his mettle under Zinedine Zidane. The Frenchman is one of the most well-rounded strikers in La Liga and is arguably his side's most important player.
Real Madrid stormed their way to the La Liga title after the restart earlier this year and Karim Benzema chipped in with several crucial goals for Zidane's side. The striker has been a creative presence in the final third and has kept his place in the team ahead of Luka Jovic.
Real Madrid have plenty of work to do to defend their La Liga title and will need Benzema to be at his best in the coming months. Los Blancos have seemed under-par in their star striker's absence but become a powerful force with the indomitable Karim Benzema in their ranks.
Also Read: 10 best forwards in the Premier League this year (2020)
