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The La Liga is graced by some of the world's best players. In one of the most intense La Liga title races in recent times, Real Madrid lead Barcelona by four points with only two rounds of games remaining.
Barcelona captain Lionel Messi leads the La Liga charts for both goals scored and assists. But players from other teams have also had their moments under the sun this season.
On that note, we look at the top ten players in La Liga this season, as ranked by the renowned data website WhoScored.com.
Top ten players in La Liga this season
#10: Joselu, Deportivo Alaves (7.24)
Alaves might be fighting relegation deom the La Liga this season, but their striker Joselu has been in fine form.
Joselu joined Alaves from Newcastle United in 2019 for a fee of £2.5 million. The former Real Madrid player had endured a quiet spell in England, and his transfer to Spain happened without much fanfare.
However, Joselu has led the line impressively for Alaves. The 30-year-old has scored goals but has also been an asset defensively. Due to his height and physicality, Joselu has often caused trouble in the opposition box.
The Spaniard has made 34 La Liga appearances this term, scoring ten goals and providing two assists. Joselu leads the Alaves squad for shots per game.
#9: Lucas Ocampos, Sevilla (7.26)
Long touted as a player with potential, Lucas Ocampos has seemingly found his feet in Sevilla.
Ocampos joined Sevilla from Marseille for a fee of £13 million last summer. After two failed loan spells with Genoa and AC Milan, this move raised a few eyebrows.
However, Sevilla sporting director Monchi struck gold. Ocampos has exceeded expectations at the club. The Argentina international has been an ever-present for Julen Lopetegui's men in the La Liga this season.
Ocampos has made 31 appearances in La Liga this season, scoring 14 goals and providing three assists. The 26-year-old leads the Sevilla squad for shots per game as well as dribbles per game.
#8: Nabil Fekir, Real Betis - (7.26)
When Nabil Fekir moved to Real Betis from Lyon for a fee of £18 million last summer, it raised eyebrows.
The attacking midfielder was close to a move to Liverpool the season, only for the deal to fall through due to medical issues. However, Fekir was still expected to move to a big club.
He instead joined Real Betis, and he has been their best player in the La Liga this season. The 26-year-old has played all across the forward line for the club, causing trouble to opponents with his dribbling and creativity.
The France international has made 30 appearances in La Liga this season. He has scored seven goals and provided four assists and leads the squad for both shots and dribbles per game. Fekir comes third for key passes per game.
Also Read: Barcelona transfer news: Eric Garcia wants to move to the Spanish giants.
#7: Raul Garcia, Athletic Bilbao - (7.27)
Diego Simeone was reluctant to let go of Raul Garcia, and it is clear why.
The veteran forward left Atletico Madrid to join Athletic Bilbao in 2015 for a fee of £7 million. Garcia had played a pivotal role in Atletico Madrid La Liga triumph a year earlier and also helped the club reach the Champions League final that year.
These days, the 34-year old plays a vital role in Athletic Bilbao's attack. Garcia has played in a variety of forward positions for the Basque club, contributing meaningful minutes and performing at a high level.
The Spain international has made 33 La Liga appearances this term, scoring 15 goals and providing an assist. He leads the squad for shots per game.
#6: Gerard Moreno, Villareal - (7.30)
One of the most underrated forwards in Spain, Gerard Moreno has been in fine form in La Liga this season.
Moreno joined Villarreal from Espanyol for a fee of £18 million in 2018, and he has repaid Villarreal's faith in him. The Spain international has led the line commendably for the Yellow Submarine.
A product of the Villarreal academy, Moreno joined Espanyol in 2015 and spent three successful seasons there. He was linked with a move to Atletico Madrid before returning to his boyhood club.
The 28-year-old has played 33 La Liga games for Villareal this term, scoring 16 goals and providing five assists. He leads the squad for shots per game and comes second for both dribbles and key passes per game.
#5: Mikel Merino, Real Sociedad (7.31)
Mikel Merino is another former Newcastle United player who is doing well in the Spanish top-flight. He joined Real Sociedad from the Magpies for a fee of £11 million in 2018 and has consistently performed well for them since then.
The midfielder has been strong defensively and has also protected the defence well. The presence of Merino has allowed the likes of Martin Odegaard and Adnan Januzaj to focus on the offensive part of their games.
Real Sociedad have an exciting squad, and Merino's name tends to get lost due to the presence of talented attackers. However, a big move beckons for the 24-year-old.
The Spaniard has made 34 La Liga appearances this season, scoring five goals and providing an assist. He leads the squad for tackles per game and comes fifth for dribbles per game.
#4: Luis Suarez, Barcelona (7.34)
While there is no question that Luis Suarez is declining, there is no denying that the veteran striker has been a good servant for Barcelona.
Luis Suarez joined Barcelona from Liverpool for a fee of £65 million in 2014. Already regarded as a world-class striker at that point, Suarez's prime at Barcelona led many to label him as one of the greatest strikers to have played the game.
The Uruguay international has been injured for parts of this ongoing La Liga season, but is still Barcelona's preferred number nine when he is fit.
The 33-year-old has made 26 La Liga appearances this season, scoring 15 goals and providing eight assists.
Also Read: 5 players who can replace Ivan Rakitic at Barcelona.
#3: Karim Benzema, Real Madrid (7.45)
A few seasons ago, many believed that Karim Benzema's time at Real Madrid was drawing to a close. The striker had played in a supporting role as Cristiano Ronaldo took all the plaudits, leading critics to believe that the France international would soon be surplus to requirements.
That has not been the case, though. Benzema has been Real Madrid's best attacker since the departure of Ronaldo to Juventus. He has led the line incredibly well and looks rejuvenated under manager Zinedine Zidane.
The 32-year-old has played 35 games in the La Liga this season, scoring 19 goals and providing eight assists. He leads the squad for shots per game and comes second for key passes per game.
#2: Casemiro, Real Madrid (7.52)
Regarded as one of the best defensive midfielders in the world, Casemiro has been upto his usual best for Real Madrid in the La Liga this season.
The Brazil international shields the defence excellently, with the likes of Luka Modric and Toni Kroos having to worry less defensively. An excellent tackler who is also strong aerially, Casemiro provides balance to the Los Blancos.
He is an intelligent footballer with an ability to read the game well; he has often stopped numerous attacks from the opposition.
This season, the 28-year-old has made 33 appearances in the La Liga, scoring four goals and providing three assists. The former Porto player leads the squad for tackles per game and comes second for interceptions per game. However, he also commits more fouls per game than any of his teammates.
#1: Lionel Messi, Barcelona - (8.65)
Who else? Arguably the greatest player to have ever played the game, Lionel Messi continues to perform brilliantly every season.
Barcelona are in disarray, but Messi continues to shine. The diminutive Argentine is the club's talisman, and every positive play on the field goes through him. The best creator, the best passer as well as the top goal-scorer, Messi has it all.
The 33-year-old has one year left in his contract and is said to be looking at various options. Barcelona must do all they can to keep him.
This season, Messi has made 31 La Liga appearances, scoring 22 goals and providing 20 assists. He leads the squad for shots per game, key passes per game and dribbles per game.
Also Read: Real Madrid Transfer News: Los Blancos to postpone Eduardo Camavinga deal as they eye Paul Pogba.
