The 2025-26 La Liga season promises to be a defining campaign for emerging talent across Spain’s top flight. While established superstars continue to dominate headlines, a new generation of players stands ready to announce themselves on football’s biggest stage. These are the Top 5 breakout candidates who could make their mark and transform from promising prospects into household names over the next 12 months.
Table of Contents
Top 5 Breakout Candidates Ready to Dominate La Liga 2025-26
1. Yáser Asprilla – Girona’s Creative Catalyst
Colombian attacking midfielder Yáser Asprilla represents Girona’s most promising pathway back to relevance after a disappointing campaign. The young talent joined Girona from Watford last summer, arriving as the club assembled their first-ever Champions League squad with sky-high expectations.
However, Girona’s season quickly spiraled from top-four aspirations to relegation concerns. The departure of key attacking threats Artem Dovbyk and Savinho, who had combined for 33 goals, completely gutted their offensive capabilities. The emotional and physical demands of midweek European fixtures meant the team never found their rhythm, leaving Asprilla to shoulder enormous creative responsibility.
Statistical Foundation for Success
Despite the team’s struggles, Asprilla’s individual numbers across 1,401 La Liga minutes revealed genuine quality. His 1.3 chances created from open play per 90 minutes led all current Girona players, while his 1.9 successful take-ons per game demonstrated his ability to beat defenders in tight situations. Most encouragingly, his 0.22 expected assists per 90 minutes topped the squad among remaining players.
| Statistic | Per 90 Minutes | Squad Ranking |
|---|---|---|
| Chances Created (Open Play) | 1.3 | 1st among current players |
| Successful Take-ons | 1.9 | 1st among current players |
| Expected Assists | 0.22 | 1st among current players |
The potential is undeniable, and with many of last season’s starters in his preferred attacking midfield role now departed, Asprilla is positioned for a far more central role in Girona’s system. Club decision-makers remain firm believers in his ability – rumors of a potential sale were quickly dismissed, with Girona considering him completely untouchable.
Further departures, such as Miguel Gutiérrez’s possible move to Napoli, would only increase Asprilla’s creative responsibility and cement his status as the team’s primary offensive orchestrator.
2. Gonzalo García – Real Madrid’s New Focal Point
Under new manager Xabi Alonso, Real Madrid face significant tactical questions heading into the 2025-26 campaign. The coexistence of Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior, adaptation to a more structured positional system, and the integration of talents like Endrick, Rodrygo, and Arda Güler all present intriguing challenges.
One player who has already provided answers is 19-year-old striker Gonzalo García. Fresh from an exceptional 25-goal campaign for Real Madrid Castilla, he delivered a breakthrough performance during the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup this summer, finishing as joint-top scorer with four goals and earning the coveted number nine shirt for his first senior season.
Beyond Goals: A Complete Modern Striker
García’s impact extends far beyond goalscoring. His 32.6 high-intensity pressures per 90 minutes during the Club World Cup ranked second among all players with at least 270 minutes in the competition, trailing only Liam Delap. This relentless work rate addresses a crucial need for Real Madrid, who lacked a true striker focal point last season.
| Tournament Performance | Goals | High-Intensity Pressures per 90 | Achievement |
|---|---|---|---|
| FIFA Club World Cup 2025 | 4 | 32.6 | Joint-top scorer, Number 9 shirt |
| Real Madrid Castilla 2024-25 | 25 | – | Leading scorer |
A Galáctico-level goalscorer combined with relentless defensive contribution represents exactly the kind of balance Xabi Alonso needs in a star-heavy forward line. García’s emergence could solve multiple tactical puzzles while providing the focal point Madrid’s attack has been missing.
3. Bryan Zaragoza – Celta Vigo’s Electric Comeback Story
Bryan Zaragoza represents more of a comeback candidate than a traditional breakout story, but his journey makes him one of La Liga’s most intriguing prospects for 2025-26. The 23-year-old winger’s electric dribbling abilities earned him both a Spanish national team call-up and a rapid move to Bayern Munich after just 1,638 La Liga minutes with Granada.
Bayern’s gamble on securing his services early to avoid a potential bidding war proved premature, as Zaragoza’s breakout was only in its earliest stages. His German adventure lasted just 183 minutes during the backend of the 2023-24 season before a loan move to Osasuna.
Elite Dribbling Statistics
Even with injury setbacks that sidelined him for three months at Osasuna, Zaragoza still managed six assists and one goal, with five of those contributions coming before injuries halted his momentum. His overall La Liga record since debuting in 2023-24 tells the story of genuine elite talent.
Across 3,488 La Liga minutes, Zaragoza has averaged 2.84 successful take-ons per 90 minutes – a remarkable figure that ranks sixth among all players since his debut. Only Lamine Yamal, Ilias Akhomach, Nico Williams, Vinícius Júnior, and Savinho have exceeded this rate, placing him in genuinely elite company.
| Player | Successful Take-ons per 90 | Ranking Since Zaragoza’s Debut |
|---|---|---|
| Lamine Yamal | Higher | 1st |
| Ilias Akhomach | Higher | 2nd |
| Nico Williams | Higher | 3rd |
| Vinícius Júnior | Higher | 4th |
| Savinho | Higher | 5th |
| Bryan Zaragoza | 2.84 | 6th |
Claudio Giráldez’s Celta Vigo side emphasizes patient possession but lacks one crucial element: an explosive, one-on-one left winger capable of unbalancing defenses. Zaragoza fits this profile perfectly and now has the platform to demonstrate why Europe’s biggest clubs were tracking him.
4. Marc Bernal – Barcelona’s Defensive Anchor
An ACL injury tragically cut short what should have been Marc Bernal‘s breakout season in 2024-25. The 21-year-old defensive midfielder had started Barcelona‘s first three games before the devastating setback, showing enough quality to suggest he could be the missing piece in their tactical puzzle.
Bernal’s profile – tall, tactically sharp, and composed on the ball – has drawn inevitable comparisons to club legend Sergio Busquets. These aren’t empty comparisons; his early performances demonstrated the same rare combination of defensive intelligence and progressive passing ability.
The Missing Link in Barcelona’s Midfield
Hansi Flick experimented with various midfield pairings in Bernal’s absence, often deploying Pedri alongside Marc Casadó or Eric García, but neither combination offered the same balance between defensive solidity and creative progression.
In Flick’s preferred double pivot system, Bernal provides the perfect shield for the defense while maintaining efficient ball progression. His 16.9 progressive pass distance per 90 minutes last season led all Barcelona midfielders before the injury, suggesting he could have sustained this elite level throughout a full campaign.
| Statistic | Marc Bernal | Squad Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Progressive Pass Distance per 90 | 16.9 | Led all Barça midfielders |
| Tackles Won per 90 | 2.2 | Would have topped squad if sustained |
| Games Started Before Injury | 3 | First-choice selection |
His 2.2 tackles won per 90 minutes would have topped Barcelona’s squad had he remained fit. Given Barcelona’s struggles against counter-attacks last season, Bernal’s return as the link between defense and attack could prove transformational.
5. Thiago Almada – Atlético Madrid’s Tactical Wild Card
Atlético Madrid‘s comprehensive rebuild has provided Diego Simeone with more tactical flexibility than he has enjoyed in years. An entirely new defensive unit, fresh midfield talent, and attacking reinforcements have created numerous strategic possibilities.
Thiago Almada, signed from Botafogo, appears positioned as a long-term replacement for Ángel Correa, but his versatility allows operation wide, centrally, or as a second striker. Simeone’s exact plans for his new acquisitions remain unclear, meaning Almada might fill a role that doesn’t currently exist in the system.
Creativity Meets Work Rate
With Antoine Griezmann now 34, succession planning becomes increasingly urgent. While Julián Álvarez will shoulder much of the creative burden, Almada’s 2.1 chances created per 90 minutes in Ligue 1 last season suggests he can contribute at the highest level.
Crucially for Simeone’s system, Almada combines creativity with defensive application. His 1.2 ball recoveries in the final third per 90 minutes last season demonstrates the work rate essential for earning the manager’s trust.
| Key Attributes | Statistics | Simeone System Fit |
|---|---|---|
| Chance Creation | 2.1 per 90 (Ligue 1) | High-level contributor |
| Final Third Recoveries | 1.2 per 90 | Defensive work rate |
| Positional Versatility | Wide/Central/Second Striker | Tactical flexibility |
New signings at Atlético often struggle to earn immediate trust through on-ball contributions alone – it’s their work out of possession that typically determines success. Almada’s demonstrated commitment to defensive duties should accelerate his integration and secure immediate playing time.
The Perfect Storm for Breakouts
The 2025-26 La Liga season presents ideal conditions for these five talents to flourish. Tactical transitions at major clubs, squad rebuilds, and the natural evolution of team dynamics have created opportunities that might not exist in more stable circumstances.
Each player brings unique qualities: Asprilla’s creativity for a rebuilding Girona, García’s complete striker profile for Real Madrid’s new system, Zaragoza’s game-changing dribbling for Celta’s possession approach, Bernal’s defensive intelligence for Barcelona’s tactical balance, and Almada’s versatile work rate for Atlético’s evolution.
The combination of individual talent, tactical fit, and opportunity suggests these Top 5 candidates are genuinely positioned for breakthrough campaigns that could reshape La Liga’s competitive landscape.
Read More: Manchester United Agree Season-Long Toby Collyer Loan to West Bromwich Albion
FAQs
Which La Liga player has the best chance of a major breakout in 2025-26?
Gonzalo García at Real Madrid appears best positioned, having already earned the number nine shirt after top-scoring at the FIFA Club World Cup with four goals and demonstrating elite pressing numbers (32.6 per 90).
Why is Yáser Asprilla considered untouchable at Girona despite last season’s struggles?
Despite Girona’s poor season, Asprilla led current squad members in chances created from open play (1.3 per 90), successful take-ons (1.9 per 90), and expected assists (0.22 per 90), showing his individual quality remained high.
How good is Bryan Zaragoza’s dribbling compared to other La Liga players?
Zaragoza ranks sixth in successful take-ons per 90 (2.84) among all players since his 2023 debut, behind only Lamine Yamal, Ilias Akhomach, Nico Williams, Vinícius Júnior, and Savinho.
What makes Marc Bernal special for Barcelona’s system?
Bernal led all Barcelona midfielders in progressive pass distance per 90 (16.9) and would have topped the squad in tackles won per 90 (2.2) if he hadn’t suffered an ACL injury after just three games.
Why should Thiago Almada succeed under Diego Simeone at Atlético Madrid?
Almada combines high-level creativity (2.1 chances created per 90 in Ligue 1) with defensive work rate (1.2 final third recoveries per 90), which typically determines success under Simeone’s demanding system.
