La Liga 2024-25 Team of the Season

With the 2024-25 La Liga season officially wrapped up, it’s time to reflect on the campaign by unveiling our La Liga Team of the Season.

Barcelona claimed their 28th league title in style, sealing the championship with two games to spare and dethroning arch-rivals Real Madrid. The defeat marked the end of an era for Los Blancos, who parted ways with the iconic Carlo Ancelotti, handing over the reins to Xabi Alonso ahead of the next season.

Down at the bottom, Leganés and Real Valladolid were relegated after just one season back in the top flight, joining Las Palmas in the drop.

Now that the dust has settled, we’ve assessed player performances across the league and selected 11 standout individuals who outshone all others in their respective roles.

La Liga 2024-25 Team of the Season (4-3-3)

Goalkeeper – Joan García (Espanyol)

Joan García had no time to settle in this season—he was thrust straight into the thick of a relegation battle. Espanyol teetered on the brink of the drop and only managed to survive thanks to a dramatic final-day win over Las Palmas. In a campaign marked by tension and turbulence, García emerged as a central figure in their fight for survival.

Espanyol conceded 51 goals, but that total could have been far worse without García’s heroics. No goalkeeper in La Liga made more total saves (146) or more stops from shots inside the box (89), underlining both the volume of threats he faced and the relentless pressure on Espanyol’s backline.

His performances weren’t just about quantity—they were high in quality too. García topped the league in overall goals prevented (+7.6) and posted a 75% save rate, ranking fourth-best among all La Liga keepers.

Perhaps the biggest endorsement of his breakout season came after the campaign ended: Barcelona are reportedly eyeing him, and other top clubs across Europe are said to be circling as well.

Right-Back – Jules Koundé (Barcelona)

Jules Koundé’s standout moment this season undoubtedly came with his stunning long-range winner in the Copa del Rey final against Real Madrid. But beyond that headline-grabbing strike, the Barcelona right-back delivered an outstanding La Liga campaign as well.

Koundé proved to be a key figure in Barcelona’s attacking play from the back. He was involved in more open-play sequences that ended in either a goal (24) or a shot (135) than any other defender in La Liga. In total, he featured in 135 attacking sequences—again, the highest among defenders.

His influence in build-up play was remarkable, contributing to 19 goal-building actions from open play. Only Pedri (21) had more in the entire league.

Koundé’s attacking intent was clear throughout the season. He constantly ventured forward, recording 85 touches in the opposition box—more than any other defender in Spain’s top tier.

The French international also achieved his best-ever La Liga return in terms of goal contributions, notching five goal involvements (two goals and three assists) across 32 league appearances.

Centre-Back – Dani Vivian (Athletic Club)

While Pau Cubarsí deserves recognition for his breakthrough campaign, it would be remiss not to highlight the backbone of an Athletic Club defence that conceded the fewest goals in La Liga this season—just 29. Their resilience at the back was a major factor behind their fourth-place finish and return to the Champions League.

And at the heart of that defensive solidity stood Dani Vivian. The 25-year-old elevated his game in 2024–25, making a compelling case for being among La Liga’s finest central defenders—and possibly the best pure defender in the division. With consistent performances over multiple seasons, Vivian has cemented his status both at Athletic and in the Spanish national setup.

His impact goes far beyond traditional defending. Vivian’s presence is vital to Athletic’s aggressive, high-pressing style. His blend of pace and power allows the team to push forward with confidence, knowing he can sweep up danger when opponents bypass the press with long balls.

Always proactive and defensively sharp, Vivian led all La Liga centre-backs in ball recoveries that led to attacking sequences, initiating 364 plays—more than anyone else in his position. His contributions were as reliable as they were crucial to Athletic’s success.

Centre-Back – Iñigo Martínez (Barcelona)

In a vibrant, youthful Barcelona side, Iñigo Martínez provided a vital dose of experience and composure. At 34, he was nearly twice the age of his centre-back partner Pau Cubarsí (18), and played a pivotal role in organising a backline that operated with a notably high defensive line—a bold tactical approach that paid off handsomely throughout the 2024–25 season.

A modern defender in every sense, Martínez thrived not just in his defensive duties but also with the ball at his feet. No La Liga defender made more progressive carries than him (514), while only Celta Vigo’s Marcos Alonso managed more total carries (736 to Martínez’s 698).

Going forward, Martínez had his most productive campaign to date in terms of assists, providing four in just 28 appearances—matching his total from his previous 377 league outings combined.

Defensively, he remained rock solid. His 126 ball recoveries were the most by any Barcelona defender, and among La Liga defenders who engaged in at least 100 duels, only two had a higher success rate than his 66.3% (114 won from 172 contests).

Martínez’s leadership, consistency, and technical excellence made him an indispensable part of Barcelona’s backline and a key contributor to their title-winning run.

Left-Back – Óscar Mingueza (Celta Vigo)

Óscar Mingueza’s transformation has been one of the most fascinating positional evolutions in recent La Liga history. Initially signed by Celta Vigo in 2022 as a primarily defensive player—comfortable both at centre-back and full-back—the 26-year-old has reinvented himself as a dynamic wing-back with creative freedom under Claudio Giráldez’s innovative system.

The shift has paid off in spectacular fashion. Once a defence-first operator, Mingueza now thrives as a key architect in Celta’s possession-based approach, regularly involved in the build-up and final third actions. Giráldez’s trust in him to play a more expressive, attacking role has unlocked a whole new side to his game.

Mingueza has become a central figure in Celta’s offensive transitions. He led all La Liga players in progressive passes this season with 216, showcasing his growing comfort and vision in pushing the ball forward. Moreover, he was the only full-back or wing-back in Spain’s top flight to reach double digits for goal involvements—contributing four goals and six assists.

From deep build-up play to decisive final-third contributions, Mingueza’s evolution into a creative force has been nothing short of remarkable.

Central Midfielder – Pedri (Barcelona)

The world may still be waiting to see Pedri at his absolute peak—but in the meantime, he’s redefining what that ceiling might even look like.

The once wide-eyed teenager who first arrived at Camp Nou four years ago has now matured into the beating heart of Barcelona’s midfield and the conductor of what is arguably the most potent attacking unit in Europe.

Even with two Ballon d’Or-calibre wingers flanking him, there’s a strong case to be made that no player is more crucial to Hansi Flick’s setup than the 22-year-old from Tenerife. It’s a bold statement—but one that’s backed up by Pedri’s claim to being one of the finest midfielders in the world.

This season, Flick chose to drop Pedri slightly deeper, allowing him to pull the strings from a more withdrawn role—and the results were nothing short of masterful. Pedri spent 70% of his 2,892 La Liga minutes operating as a defensive midfielder, where he attempted (2,672) and completed (2,379) more passes than any other player in the league.

Yet, his influence extended far beyond keeping the ball moving. Pedri topped the charts for chances created from open play by a midfielder (68) and led all midfielders in forward passes (653), effortlessly balancing rhythm-setting with incisive creativity.

But perhaps what sets Pedri apart most is his relentless work without the ball. His positioning, anticipation, and tenacity were critical to Barcelona’s aggressive high press. He recorded 254 ball recoveries—80 more than any other midfielder in La Liga, with Real Madrid’s Fede Valverde trailing in second at 174.

Pedri isn’t just evolving into a generational talent—he’s actively reshaping what it means to be a modern midfielder.

Central Midfielder – Isco (Real Betis)

Isco didn’t feature in La Liga until December, but since then, he’s been a revelation. No player has created more chances from open play (44), he leads the league in assists (8), and only Kylian Mbappé surpasses him in combined goals and assists (25 to Isco’s 17) during that period.

Manuel Pellegrini has previously thrived with creative “floating number 10s,” Sergio Canales being a recent example. Yet, what Isco offers goes beyond tactical versatility—it has become a tactical necessity.

With Isco on the pitch, Real Betis average 1.8 goals per game. Without him, that number plunges to just 1.0. The team wins half their matches when he plays, but their win rate falls to 31.2% in his absence.

This turnaround was unexpected, especially after Real Madrid released him on a free transfer in 2022. Following a brief and disappointing spell at Sevilla, Isco spent months sidelined, waiting patiently for the right opportunity.

Perhaps, though, this was always meant to be: the perfect club, the perfect coach, and the ideal system to unlock Isco’s creative genius. More than just making Betis competitive, he has helped define their identity.

In a league brimming with exceptional creators, Isco remains one of the very best.

Central Midfielder – Álex Baena (Villarreal)

One of the most emotional moments on the final day of the La Liga season came immediately after Villarreal’s 4-2 victory over Sevilla. Standing at the center circle with the microphone in hand, Álex Baena, moved by the chants urging him to stay, declared to the fans that Villarreal “was, is, and always will be my home” before breaking down in tears.

If the 2024–25 campaign marks Baena’s final chapter with the Yellow Submarine, he certainly leaves the club in superb shape. Playing a pivotal role in Villarreal’s Champions League qualification, Baena led all La Liga players this season in chances created (95) and expected assists (12.6).

A product of Villarreal’s academy, Baena contributed 16 goal involvements over the league campaign—scoring seven and assisting nine times—cementing his reputation as one of La Liga’s most versatile attackers. The only other players to match his combined goals and assists this season were Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal and Raphinha, the dynamic duo behind a team that racked up an incredible 102 league goals.

Whether he remains at Villarreal or moves elsewhere, it’s highly likely Baena will be featuring in next season’s Champions League. Given his performances, it’s clear he will fit right in on Europe’s biggest stage when the opportunity arises.

Right-Winger – Lamine Yamal (Barcelona)

It’s astonishing to realize that Lamine Yamal is just 17 years old and won’t turn 18 until mid-July. Calling him a key player for Barcelona already barely scratches the surface.

Under Hansi Flick this season, Yamal has been a crucial part of one of Europe’s most lethal attacking trios. His quick, weaving runs and relentless optimism not only distinguish him but also make him a constant threat to defenders.

In La Liga this campaign, Yamal led the league in carries that ended in a shot (56) and those resulting in a chance created (35). His total of 91 shot-creating actions was far ahead of the nearest competitor, Kylian Mbappé, who managed 67.

Out of those carries, ten directly contributed to goals—three goals and seven assists—with only Vinícius Júnior (11) matching or exceeding that output.

Even when chances weren’t created, Yamal’s energy stood out. Only Pedri (826) recorded more carries—defined as movements of at least five meters with the ball—than Yamal’s 766. Both players ranked first and second for distance covered while carrying the ball, with Pedri logging 8.70 km and Yamal close behind at 8.67 km.

Among all non-defenders, Yamal led in progressive carries—those that advance the ball at least five meters upfield—with 393. Vinícius was the sole forward to cover more ground progressing the ball (4.30 km) than Yamal’s 3.89 km.

He closed out the 2024-25 season with 22 goal involvements in La Liga, the only player under 20 across Europe’s top five leagues to surpass 15 by the campaign’s end.

Striker – Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid)

Just a few months ago, some questioned whether Kylian Mbappé was struggling after his move from Paris Saint-Germain to Real Madrid last summer.

Such doubts always seemed unfair, but by the season’s end, Mbappé had silenced his critics decisively.

The French forward netted 31 goals in 34 La Liga appearances during the 2024-25 campaign—no other player in Europe’s top five leagues even reached the 30-goal mark. Historically, only Pruden Sánchez for Atlético Madrid in 1940-41 (33 goals) and Ronaldo for Barcelona in 1996-97 (34 goals) have scored more in their debut La Liga seasons.

Many of Mbappé’s goals proved decisive, as he earned more points for Real Madrid than any other player in the league this season, with his strikes contributing to 25 points.

As the saying goes, “if you don’t shoot, you don’t score,” and Mbappé’s 161 shots this season were the highest single-season total in La Liga since Lionel Messi’s 196 attempts in 2020-21. It also ranks as the second-most shots taken by a player in their first campaign, just behind Cristiano Ronaldo’s 211 in 2009-10.

Left-Winger – Raphinha (Barcelona)

Raphinha delivered a truly outstanding season. While teenage star Lamine Yamal grabbed much of the spotlight on one wing, the Brazilian was quietly piling up impressive goal contributions on the other.

In the 2024-25 La Liga campaign, Raphinha registered 27 goal involvements—18 goals and 9 assists—ranking just behind Kylian Mbappé (34 total: 31 goals and 3 assists) and teammate Robert Lewandowski (29 total: 27 goals and 2 assists).

His 18 goals marked his best single-season tally in a top-10 European league since netting 15 for Vitória Guimarães in Portugal’s Primeira Liga back in 2017-18.

Raphinha also excelled with the ball at his feet, scoring six goals after carrying the ball forward—tied for the highest total in La Liga this season alongside Dodi Lukébakio.

Creatively, he was a major force too, creating more goal-scoring chances from open play than any other La Liga player this term (70), while only Yamal (13) surpassed his nine assists in the league.

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