La Liga: Top 10 Soccer Players in Spanish Premier League
The debate over "best soccer player in the world" never ends. Everyone, everywhere has their one opinion on who is No. 1. Instead of focusing on the world, we're just going to look at Spain's key league, La Liga.
Here are the top 10 players in the Spanish Premier League.
10. Iker Casillas
Sometime inconstant, Iker Casillas is still an elite goalkeeper. Nobody makes bigger and more exciting saves than Casillas. With James Rodriguez out with a broken foot and Gareth Bale struggling, one could argue Casillas has been the most valuable player for Real Madrid along with a certain Portuguese forward. Don't worry, we'll get to him later.
9. Diego Alves
Valencia has been, without a doubt, the most underrated club this year. They could very well overtake Real Madrid in the standings for second place. Why is that? Their Brazilian goalkeeper has been nothing short of brilliant in net. Diego Alves has allowed just 19 goals in his 27 starts. Although he doesn't have as many clean sheets or wins as Bravo, he has faced 17 more shots in one less game.
8. Karim Benzema
With Gareth Bale struggling, Real Madrid's French forward is easily the No. 2 option on the team after Ronaldo. Karim Benzema's nine assists rank third in the league behind only Messi and Ronaldo. Benzema is one of the best passers on the league, and he knows how to find the net at a good scoring rate.
7. Koke
Atletico Madrid is barely in the thick of things thanks to Koke. Koke has played his entire career for Atletico Madrid having led them to a championship last season. You can very well make the case Koke is the best middle fielder in the league, especially with James Rodriguez out with a foot injury. With virtually no offensive output on the team, Koke's play is crucial at center field.
6. Claudio Bravo
The third goalkeeper on our list. Barcelona's Claudio Bravo has been the single best net minder this season with the lowest goals against average and the most clean sheets. Thanks to the Chilean goalkeeper, Barcelona has allowed nine less goals than Real Madrid, thus paving the way for first place in the standings.
5. Diego Godin
The second player from Atletico Madrid to make our list. Uruguay's own Diego Godin is one of the best defenders in the world today blocking shots for goalkeeper Miguel Moya. Atletico Madrid has struggled to put the ball in the net this season, but they still have one of the best defensive units thanks to Godin.
4. Sergio Ramos
The honor of best defender in La Liga goes to Sergio Ramos. Casillas can sit comfortably in net knowing he has this man in front of him defending against opponents. Ramos is a physical defender who knows how to clear the ball, find open players and stop opposing corner kicks. Having Ramos on the squad always gives Real Madrid a chance to win.
3. Neymar
You could very well make the case Neymar is the best dribbler in the world today. Brazilian soccer fans know they have the young superstar like leading the way for at least two more FIFA World Cups. As good as Neymar is, and will become, he still isn't the best player on his own team. When opposing teams have to face Messi, they know they can't double team Neymar.
2. Cristiano Ronaldo
As usual, it comes down to Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. Ronaldo began this La Liga season on an incredible tear averaging more than 60 goals for the year, but he has quieted down over the last two months. His team, Real Madrid, has also been in a slump. Still, he's Ronaldo, arguably the best player in the world. Ronaldo is the best finisher in the league, and he can score from anywhere on the field.
1. Lionel Messi
Sorry, no shocker here. Barcelona's Lionel Messi has been on a historically hot playing streak over the last 12 games. Messi leads the Spanish Premier League in both goals (32) and assists (15) this season. Messi is without a doubt the single greatest passer in the world today, and he plays good defense as well. If things continue the way they are going, Messi will win his seventh career La Liga Championship since 2004.
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