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LaLiga is one of the most followed football leagues in the world. Teams like Barcelona, Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, Sevilla, and Valencia have been making the league really interesting.
Some of the greatest players in the world like Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Andres Iniesta, Fernando Torres, Xavi Hernandez, Toni Kroos, Neymar, Luis Suarez, Diego Godin, and many more have been a part of the league at some point in time over the past few years.
The monetary value of clubs and players in European football have been on a rise this decade. Players value has skyrocketed and the top European clubs have paid insane money to sign quality players.
Paris Saint-Germain paid €222 million for Neymar last summer and the amount of money (revenue and expense) involved in running a football club these days has increased manyfold.
More often than not, transfer fee paid for a player is not a clear indicator of his true market value in this inflated transfer market.
On that note, let’s take a look at the most valuable XI in LaLiga this season.
Note: All market values are taken from transfermarkt.com
Goalkeeper: Jan Oblak, £63 million
The Atletico Madrid star is one of the best goalkeepers in world football at the moment. One of LaLiga’s consistent performers over the past few years, Jan Oblak played a stellar role in Atletico’s recent success. Atletico Madrid are one of the best defensive units in European football and Oblak deserves a lot of credit.
The 25-year-old has kept 60 clean sheets in LaLiga during the past three seasons, which is the best for any goalkeeper in Europe’s top five leagues. He is also the winner of Zamora Trophy (player with the lowest "goals-to-games" ratio in LaLiga) in his last three LaLiga seasons at Atletico.
The Slovenian has won so many honors and accolades during his stay with Atletico Madrid. His market value of £63 million is a fair reflection of his abilities. He is contracted with Atletico until 2021 and has a release clause of €100 million.
Centre-backs
Raphael Varane, £72 million
The Frenchman is one of the best young defenders in the world after his brilliant World Cup exploits in Russia. He was influential for Real Madrid during the past few seasons and also played a stellar role in their successful European campaigns. The 25-year-old has made 234 appearances for Real Madrid and won every title in Spanish football. Varane has a long career ahead of him and if he remains fit at Real Madrid for few more years, he has all the potential to become one of the greatest defenders of all-time.
Samuel Umtiti, £63 million
Another center-back on this list who has won the World Cup with France this summer. The Frenchman was highly impressive for Barcelona last season and played a big part in their domestic (LaLiga and Copa del Rey) success. The 24-year-old has made 83 appearances for the Blaugrana so far and has played some exceptional football. He has been solid at the back and could play a big part in Barcelona’s future. He was also instrumental for Didier Deschamps in Russia.
Fullbacks
Right-back: Daniel Carvajal, £54 million
Dani Carvajal has been a solid and consistent defender for Real Madrid over the past few years. The 26-year-old has made 202 appearances for Real Madrid and was a huge performer for the Spanish giants. He was an integral part of the Real Madrid side that has won four UEFA Champions League titles in the last five years. The Spaniard has also won LaLiga, Copa del Rey, and many more titles with the Los Blancos.
Left-back: Marcelo, £54 million
One of the greatest left-backs of our generation, Marcelo has been a huge success at the Santiago Bernabeu for quite some time. With his great pace and exceptional crossing abilities, the 30-year-old has been one of the most influential Real Madrid players of the modern era. Marcelo joined Real Madrid in 2006 and has made 454 appearances for the Galacticos. He is into his 13th season at the club and has won more than 20 Silverwares.
Central Midfielders
Sergio Busquets, £72 million
The Spaniard has been an unsung hero for Barcelona and Spain over the past decade. A product of Barcelona’s famous La Masia academy, Busquets has been a rock in the midfield for the Catalan giants. A reliable and consistent midfielder, Busquets’s contribution to the success of Barcelona is unbelievably huge. He may not grab the headlines unlike some of his teammates, but his value to this Barcelona side is irreplaceable.
Toni Kroos, £72 million
Toni Kroos is one of the greatest midfielders of our generation. The 28-year-old was phenomenal for Bayern Munich early in his career and then moved to Real Madrid in 2014. His Real Madrid career turned out to be a massive success and the German international became one of the most influential players in LaLiga and European football. One of the best passers of the game, Kroos is known for his vision, precision, and technical ability.
Wingers
LW: Philippe Coutinho, £108 million
The Brazilian international is one of the most creative midfielders in the world. He was exceptional for Liverpool in the Premier League and Barcelona paid a lot of money to bring him to LaLiga. His market value is on a constant rise over the last few seasons because of his brilliant performances for Brazil and Barcelona. Philippe Coutinho has scored 11 goals in 24 appearances for Barcelona and has become a key player for Valverde.
RW: Gareth Bale, £81 million
One of the highest paid footballers in the world right now, Gareth Bale has been a great performer at the Santiago Bernabeu ever since his move in 2013. Though he struggled with injuries throughout his career, he has impressed a lot whenever he is fully fit. The Welshman has made 191 appearances and scored 89 goals in his trophy-laden career with Real Madrid.
Forwards
AM: Antoine Griezmann, £108 million
Griezmann is the third player on this list who has lifted the World Cup title in Russia with France. The 27-year-old has been one of LaLiga’s best performers during the past few years. The Frenchman was absolutely exceptional for Diego Simeone and has won quite a few titles with Atletico Madrid. A prolific goal scorer, Griezmann has scored 112 goals so far in his Atletico career.
ST: Lionel Messi, £162 million
The Argentine international is one of the most valuable footballers in the world right now, if not the most. Arguably the greatest footballer of our generation, Lionel Messi has achieved great things in his illustrious footballing career. Ever since his senior debut in 2004, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner has scored 554 goals for the Catalan giants. Though transfermarkt values him at £162 million, the real value he brings to Barcelona is infinite.
