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Forward: Leo Messi – Barcelona
And to think that this time last year, so called experts were suggesting that Lionel Messi was washed up. Over the hill. Past his best. Such criticism must have hit home because Messi has delivered once again on the big stage, taking his team to title and a potential double or treble.
43 goals in the league is only bettered by nemesis Ronaldo but as we know Messi is so much more than goals. During this campaign he became La Liga’s all-time record assists holder. And its all-time scorer. There is nothing that this player cannot do at Barcelona.
Forward: Cristiano Ronaldo – Real Madrid
No La Liga XI would be complete without the addition of Cristiano Ronaldo. Like a fine wine, as he ages the Portuguese just gets better and better and better. He had eight hat-tricks in one season and 48 league goals overall to deservedly take the Pichichi again. Whatever people think about Ronaldo the person, there can be no criticism of Ronaldo the player.
He is a consummate professional and a born winner. No one has done more for Real Madrid over the course of the season to bring success to the club. To describe him in one word – devastating.
Striker: Luis Suarez – Barcelona
Has a player ever missed three months of the season and still been in the top four goalscorers in the league? Suarez has shown intelligence in his work, dove-tailing superbly well with Messi and Neymar.
After a short settling in period, the trio really began to wipe the floor with all-comers after the winter break, with Suarez particularly in his stride at the business end of the campaign. Scoring goals for fun has been a speciality and there are too many supporters of the Blaugrana that are moaning about his purchase now.
He finished the season with 16 goals and 14 assists in just 25 appearances in La Liga.
Manager: Luis Enrique – Barcelona
On the cusp of a league and cup double which, should he achieve it, will mean that Lucho will go to Berlin for the Champions League Final looking to win the treble. It would replicate Pep Guardiola’s achievement in his debut season at Barca, and would make the Catalans the first side in football history to win the European treble twice.
Enrique didn’t really settle into the role until about halfway through the season, but his single-mindedness and superior man-management skills shone through. Expertly managed Barca throughout and wasn’t afraid to make the big calls when needed. Brought passion, drive and freshness back into a tired Blaugrana.
Substitutes: Honourable mentions must be given to the following players who just miss out on the XI – Jan Oblak (Atletico Madrid), Ivan Rakitic (Barcelona), Aritz Arduriz (Athletic Club de Bilbao), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), Bruno (Villarreal) and James Rodriguez (Real Madrid).
