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#3 Frenkie de Jong | Barcelona
In what has been a roller-coaster of a league season at the Camp Nou, Frenkie de Jong's outstanding displays in the center of the park have given Barcelona a glimpse into the future. The Dutchman endured a mixed first season with the Blaugrana after his big-money move from Ajax and questions were asked about his ability to perform consistently, as he blew hot and cold under Ernesto Valverde and Quique Setien.
Under Ronald Koeman, however, De Jong has been one of Barcelona's best players this season and has also added goals to his game since the turn of the year. With Sergio Busquets entering the twilight years of his career and Miralem Pjanic not living up to the bill at the Camp Nou, the 23-year-old has been a breath of fresh air in midfield for the Catalans.
The former Ajax man has featured in every league game and has notched up three goals and four assists so far this season.
#2 Toni Kroos | Real Madrid
Toni Kroos is one of the greatest players of his generation and has consistently delivered world-class performances for Germany and Real Madrid over the years. The 31-year-old has once again been in the thick of the action for his side and has rolled back the years to forge a formidable partnership with Luka Modric.
Known for his press resistance, passing range and calmness on the ball, Kroos has been central to Real Madrid's renaissance in 2021 after a stuttering start to their title defense. The stylish midfielder has racked up two goals and six assists in La Liga this season and has shown no signs of slowing down despite entering his 30s.
The German international is part of the old guard at Real Madrid alongside the likes of Sergio Ramos, Karim Benzema and Modric and is set to be a key player for the club in the forthcoming future.
#1 Luka Modric | Real Madrid
Another player who has defied the odds to stand tall for Real Madrid, the diminutive Luka Modric has been the shining light in what has been an injury-ravaged campaign for the record La Liga champions. At the age of 35, it was expected that the 2020-21 campaign would be Modric's Santiago Bernabeu swansong, with the Croatian midfielder approaching the end of his contract.
Modric, however, has been Real Madrid's standout player this season and is reportedly close to signing a contract extension at the club. The 35-year-old is one of the most gifted players of the modern era and has won multiple honors in his time at the club, with the 2018 Ballon d'Or cementing his status as an all-time great.
The current campaign is just another chapter in his illustrious career, with the midfielder combining technical ability with his warrior-like attitude to keep Real Madrid in the title race. Modric has featured 26 times in La Liga this season and has also managed to chip in with three goals and assists apiece so far, with his most memorable goal coming in the 3-1 demolition of Barcelona in October 2020.
Regardless of what the future holds for Modric, he is all set to go down as one of Real Madrid's greatest ever players.
