Best Premier League XI 2021 vs best La Liga XI 2021: Who would win?

La Liga best XI

(4-4-2: Oblak, Trippier, Kounde, Gimenez, Mendy, Casemiro, Pedri, Kroos, Llorente, Benzema, Suarez)

For the first time in well over a decade, the La Liga XI won't be graced by the exuberance of Cristiano Ronaldo and the magical presence of Lionel Messi. This is clearly the end of a profound era that created sublime magic within La Liga's ranks.

FC Barcelona v Real Madrid CF - Liga BBVA

One might argue - rightly - that La Liga just won't be the same anymore with both of them gone. However, other players - especially from Atletico Madrid - have taken up their spots. After all, a scintillating campaign last season saw Diego Simeone take the La Liga title to the Wanda Metropolitano, putting a serious dent in the Barcelona-Real Madrid domination of Spanish football.

Players from Barcelona and Madrid still made the cut though, alongside one stand-out player from Sevilla.

Between the posts stands Jan Oblak, La Liga's best goalkeeper by far and one of the best in the world. He is the most recent recipient of the La Liga Zamora Trophy, which goes to the goalkeeper with the lowest goals-to-game ratio. Known for his consistent, cat-like reflexes and commanding presence, Oblak is La Liga's man between the sticks.

Holding the defensive line before him are Sevilla star Jules Kounde and fellow Atletico teammate Jose Gimenez. Kounde's brilliant season for Sevilla helped the club to fourth place, and his performances have attracted higher-ups at Stamford Bridge. If Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel has his way, Jules Kounde won't be a Sevilla player for much longer.

Gimenez, on the other hand, was a key figure in Atletico's glorious campaign to win the league last season. With Kounde's quick feet and Gimenez's experience, La Liga's defense will certainly be difficult to overrun.

Atletico de Madrid v C.A. Osasuna - La Liga Santander

Ferland Mendy and Kieran Trippier will both take up their respective positions at wing-back for La Liga. At Real Madrid, Mendy performed consistently, taking over Marcelo's role at the club. His strength in tackles, as well as his pace, will be key to matching up with the EPL wingers. Trippier was explosive for Atletico Madrid last season, helping the team with six assists in the league. Pacey, energetic and currently in his prime, the former Tottenham star will be a force to reckon with in the final third.

In central midfield, Casemiro and Toni Kroos, both Real Madrid stars, are capable of holding down the middle of the park. With Kroos' vision and passing accuracy and Casemiro's tracking back and tackling efficiency, the duo are capable of keeping up with the Premier League's midfield.

Down both flanks, Barcelona's Pedri and Atletico's Marcos Llorente will take their places. Quick, energetic, explosive and tireless, the two wingers will aim to cause havoc on the flanks. Their crossing abilities will also come in handy for La Liga's two top strikers: Karim Benzema and Luis Suarez.

With both strikers accomplished in nearly every role in their center-forward positions, Benzema and Suarez will certainly test the Premier League's defending skills. Last season, the clinical duo scored a combined 44 league goals, ensuring rough matchdays for La Liga goalkeepers. With their accurate heading, powerful shots, and strength to hold onto the ball under pressure, Benzema and Suarez will be a deadly threat in the box for La Liga.

Who will win?

It will most certainly be a hard-fought tie, and both sides will find the net at some point during the game. However, it is the English side that will pull through with the winning goal.

The EPL side has more attacking quality on their side and La Liga will certainly be rueing the loss of two otherworldly players in Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.