At its best, La Liga can produce the most entertaining seasons, and so far 2024/2025 appears to be no different.
Currently boasting a three-horse title race, several teams chasing European competition and a relegation battle set to continue in the second half of the season – this campaign could have it all.
As we leave the winter break, the three kings have delivered their presents, but here we send flowers to those who defined the almost first half of the campaign, with the La Liga Team of the Season so far.
Goalkeepers are often a byproduct of the entire defensive unit, acting as a backup if the strong system up front is defeated. In the case of Atletico Madrid stopper Jan Oblak, he is usually the difference as Diego Simeone's side look to exploit those fine margins.
He isn't hugely active, only conceding an average of 3.06 shots per 90 minutes played, but still has the highest save percentage of any player in the division (77.8%), just behind Real Sociedad's excellent Alex Remiro. In addition to his alertness during Atleti's more dominant games, he has shown a tremendous shot-stopping ability in frequent testing.
Barcelona did just that in their final match before the winter break, conceding 1.89 expected goals and conceding just one. His performance, and especially Raphinha's two late one-on-one saves and Pedri's late tries, helped Atleti welcome Christmas to pole position in La Liga.
Notable mention: Alex Remiro (Real Sociedad).
Not many could have seen Oscar Mingueza's transition into one of the division's most attacking full-backs coming. If you did, kudos to you. Regardless, he leads the way among defenders in terms of goal contributions in the division with five assists and one goal.
A real benefit from head coach Claudio Giraldez's 3-4-3 system, with the narrow front three sucking into the center of the pitch. This leaves plenty of channel space for Mingueza and opponent Hugo Alvarez to exploit – and exploit they have.
Notable mentions: Jon Aramburu (Real Sociedad), Jules Kounde (Barcelona).
La Liga is awash with rugged, burly centre-backs, but Athletic Club's Dani Vivian has stood out as the best this season.
His tactical acumen, positioning and awareness are qualities that far exceed what you would expect from a 25-year-old with just three full seasons in the top flight. Vivian's dismissal of Kylian Mbappé earlier in the campaign was the perfect showcase of all these qualities.
Ernesto Valverde's outfit looks so much better with him in the team, Vivian's club fourth-highest net xG during his appearances proves that (+0.45). The Spaniard will pilot Los Leones' defense unit for years to come.
Notable mention: Jose Gimenez (Atletico Madrid), Antonio Rüdiger (Real Madrid).
Arguably the best passing centre-back in the division. If it's not him, then it's his partner. Inigo Martinez could take over that honor. Pau Cubarsi is only 17 years old and has developed into a real promise point for Hansi Flick.
He is often found making line-breaking passes into midfield, or catching opponents unaware of quick substitutions. The youngster ranks highest for medium passes (15-30 yards) among the division's centre-backs.
Cubarsi's journey from emerging talent to ever-reliable leader within Barcelona's backline is one to admire. He remains key to Barca's successes so far in 24/25.
Notable mentions: Nayef Aguerd (Real Sociedad), Inigo Martinez (Barcelona).
Creative and dynamic left-sided defender Miguel Gutierrez is a standout player for Girona as they steadily look to match last season's highs. At just 23 years old, he excels as an inverted wing-back and as an overlapping player, showing he can be a creative force in both roles.
A strong ball carrier with sharp decision-making in tight spaces, Gutierrez leads all La Liga full-backs in successful crosses (5.74 p/90) and key passes (1.66 p/90), underscoring his influence in the final third.
Given his impressive development last season and his continued impact this year, Real Madrid may consider a reunion with his former player this summer, three years after letting him leave.
Notable mention: Sergi Cardona (Villarreal).
Europe's most sought-after number six, Martin Zubimendi, has continued to display the form that saw him fend off interest from the likes of Liverpool last summer. Real Sociedad's summer exits didn't help him either, forcing him to develop relationships with a contrasting midfield and defensive unit.
The 25-year-old is often tasked with acting as a backstop for Imanol Alguacil's powerful pressing routines as they lunge forward and has absorbed these chaotic moves exceptionally well this season. Zubimendi remains in the top 11% of midfielders in terms of dribblers tackled, and in the top seven percent in terms of combined tackles and interceptions.
Time will tell if Zubimendi stays at La Real, but rest assured he stands out as the best defensive midfielder in the division.
Notable mentions: Marc Casado (Barcelona), Pablo Barrios (Atletico Madrid), Dario Essugo (Las Palmas).
Weaving defensive maestro Alex Baena is as tenacious as he is inventive, topping almost every creative midfield in La Liga.
Usually thrown on the left side of Villarreal's 4-4-2, Baena tends to drift infield into the half-space to link Yellow Submarine's attacks. The 23-year-old leads the way in shot creation (6.99 p/90), passing into the penalty area (2.75 p/90), non-penalty xG and xA.
Baena's four goals and five assists have launched him into Luis de la Fuente's national team lineup and cemented him as the best creative midfielder in the division.
Notable mentions: Pedri (Barcelona), Oihan Sancet (Athletics Club).
Federico Valverde, Carlo Ancelotti's ever-industrial choice in midfield and occasionally on the right side of his defense, is on course for another great season. With five goals, all from outside the penalty area and a combined 0.70 xG, the Uruguayan's right boot came in handy for Los Blancos.
In addition to his talent for scoring, Valverde adds forward enthusiasm to an often disconnected Madrid team, and is among the top 10% of carries by midfielders in the league. Not only that, the 26-year-old is there to clean up those attacks when they lose the ball – he is in the top seven percent of dribblers tackled and in the top five percent of interceptions.
Valverde is a true all-rounder and a player who is emerging as a leadership figure in Ancelotti's dressing room. He deserves his place in this team.
Notable mentions: Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Giovanni Lo Celso (Real Betis).
His injuries and Barcelona's coinciding dips in form during those spells prove just how important Lamine Yamal is to Flick's team. The 17-year-old, one of the most prolific and dangerous dribblers in world football, appears to hug the touchline before charging towards goal with the intention of creating something.
Yamal welcomes the second half of the season as the league's highest assist scorer (nine), even after missing three league games due to injury. The La Masia product is in the top two percent for take-ons, progressive passes received, attacking third touches and assists per 90 – magnifico.
Barcelona must feel like they've hit the jackpot with him and Cubarsi in their ranks at the same time.
Notable mentions: Inaki Williams (athletics club), Dodi Lukebakio (Seville).
His last month of slightly slower goals should not detract from Robert Lewandowski's form at the start of the season, which saw him take the lead in the Golden Boot with 16 goals.
Often found in deeper spaces to create numerical advantages in Flick's system, the 36-year-old defies his age to then create the box and complete attacking moves.
He is slightly underperforming his xG (-1.58), which could lead to a decline in form in the second half of the season. But for now, Lewandowski starts the calendar year with a five-goal lead over his rivals.
Notable mentions: Ante Budimir (Osasuna), Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid), Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid).
Raphinha has already had his best creative season in Barcelona colours, with a total of seventeen goals and assists. Rounding out a Barcelona-dominated front three, the Brazilian has been a revelation for Flick's team.
He provides a consistent 'out ball' when his centre-backs look for punching passes into midfield, turning to suck his markers into the field. This is incredibly useful when faced with a man-for-man press structure.
After teammate Yamal, Raphinha has created the most chances in the league (64), coupled with the highest xA in the division – worthy of a place in this squad.
Notable mentions: Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid), Bryan Zaragoza (Osasuna).
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