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The Spanish La Liga Santander is ranked as one of Europe's top five leagues because of the quality of the teams and players that participate in it. Over the years, we have seen Spanish clubs play exciting and entertaining football that has now quickly become a trademark of the league.
The year 2021 was no different, as Spanish clubs have continued to do well and deliver impressive performances. The 2020/21 season delivered one of the most exciting title races seen in recent years, adding to the intriguing nature of La Liga.
La Liga has lost many of its stars this year
A good number of La Liga legends and stars have left the league to move abroad this year, including record goalscorer Lionel Messi, Raphael Varane and Sergio Ramos.
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Despite the caliber of players that left La Liga, it remains as competitive as ever as players of genuine class still remain in the league. On that note, here is the list of the ten best players in La Liga in 2021.
#10 Pau Torres
Lanky Spanish defender Pau Torres had a memorable 2021. The Villarreal star made 32 La Liga appearances for the Yellow Submarines in this calendar year and helped his side keep 11 clean sheets in his 32 La Liga appearances.
Torres also played a key role as his boyhood club Villarreal won their first major trophy, the UEFA Europa League.
His impressive form at club level earned him a call-up to the Spanish national team for Euro 2020, where he played in every game as Spain were eliminated in the semifinals. He also represented Spain at the Tokyo Olympics, where he played every minute possible as Spain finished with a silver medal.
#9 Jan Oblak
Ever-reliable Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Jan Oblak was ever-present for Los Colchoneros as they claimed a first La Liga title since 2014. The Slovenian shot-stopper won the league's Zamora trophy for most clean sheets in a season. He had a save ratio of 81% for Atletico Madrid en route to winning the La Liga title with the club.
The goalkeeper and his team-mates have suffered a dip this season and are currently occupying the seventh spot in the La Liga table. Oblak was nominated for the prestigious Yashin Trophy as one of the world's best goalkeepers in 2021.
#8 Mikel Oyarzabal
Real Sociedad captain Mikel Oyarzabal has transitioned from a youth prodigy to a proper leader at the Basque club. The 24-year-old attacker formed an impressive partnership with Swedish youngster Alexander Isak to torment La Liga sides in 2021.
Oyarzabal scored 10 goals and registered six assists in La Liga in 2021 for his boyhood club. The forward was also part of the Spanish contingent for Euro 2020 and the Olympics.
#7 Vinicius Junior
Real Madrid youngster Vinicius Junior has become something of a poster boy for La Liga after an impressive 2021. After joining Real Madrid for the handsome sum of €45 million as a 17-year-old in 2018, it took the Brazilian nearly three years to blossom beautifully.
Vinicius Junior has contributed 11 goals and eight assists in La Liga this year and is currently one of the best wingers in world football. The youngster has developed a brilliant understanding with club captain Karim Benzema at Real Madrid.
The dynamic duo have fired Real Madrid to the top of La Liga as they look to regain the league title from their neighbors, Atletico Madrid.
#6 Toni Kroos
Peerless German midfield maestro Toni Kroos remains a master of the game despite his advancing years. The Real Madrid star continues to display his genius every year for Los Blancos. The 31-year-old played 26 times in La Liga for Real Madrid in 2021 and contributed four goals and 12 assists.
As a leader in an increasingly youthful Real Madrid side, Kroos has embraced his leadership role and led the team with his performances on the pitch. The Germany international helped Real Madrid reach the semifinals of the UEFA Champions League in 2021 before they lost to eventual winners Chelsea.
Take a look at Toni Kroos' Wife, Jessica Kroos. Get to know her profession, background and relationship with the footballer.
#5 Jules Kounde
French defender Jules Kounde had a breakout year in 2021. The young central defender made 39 La Liga appearances for Sevilla and became an important member of their starting eleven. When he played, Kounde helped Sevilla keep 19 clean sheets in La Liga in 2021.
The 23-year-old earned a place in the French Euro 2020 squad following club-level form. Kounde was the subject of a protracted transfer negotiation involving Chelsea, but the proposed deal fell through at the last minute.
The talented defender will move to a bigger club soon enough, considering his performance levels and output.
#4 Gerard Moreno
Spanish international striker Gerard Moreno has become an absolute menace to clubs in La Liga over the past 12 months. The Villarreal ace made 28 appearances for the Yellow Submarine in La Liga in 2021 and contributed 21 goals and seven assists.
Moreno finished as top scorer and Player of the Year in the UEFA Europa League as Villarreal claimed the title. The 29-year-old striker was part of the Spanish national team that crashed out of the semifinals of Euro 2020.
#3 Luis Suarez
When Luis Suarez joined Atletico Madrid, very few people saw him winning La Liga within a season. The experienced Uruguayan forward had been informed by Barcelona boss Ronald Koeman that the club no longer required his services, and he joined Atleti for a fee of €7 million.
The 34-year-old took to his new environment like a fish to water with a brace on his debut. The veteran striker contributed 20 goals and four assists in 39 La Liga appearances in 2021.
In Suarez's debut season, he inspired Atletico Madrid to a first La Liga triumph in seven years by scoring vital late winners in each of their last two games of the season. The striker was voted as the 17th best player in the world in 2021 during the Ballon d'Or awards.
#2 Lionel Messi
Despite leaving FC Barcelona and La Liga in August, Lionel Messi remains one of the best players to have played in the Spanish La Liga in 2021. The mercurial forward won a record-extending seventh Ballon d'Or crown after a stellar year.
The Argentine international appeared 21 times in La Liga in 2021 and contributed 23 goals and eight assists for the Blaugrana. He led his club to Copa del Rey glory, scoring a brace in the final against Athletic Club.
Messi also led Argentina to a first international title since 1993 when he helped his country win the 2021 Copa America.
The Argentine legend was forced to leave Camp Nou after the club ran into a financial crisis and could not afford to pay him anymore. He left La Liga as its and FC Barcelona's record goalscorer and scored on his final appearance for the club, a fitting end to a spectacular spell.
#1 Karim Benzema
Real Madrid captain Karim Benzema had as good a 2021 as he would have hoped. The veteran French striker led Los Blancos in the absence of captain Sergio Ramos last season before he was given the armband on a permanent basis.
Benzema made 38 La Liga appearances for Real Madrid in 2021, contributing 30 goals and 11 assists for the side. His form this season has put Real Madrid in the prime position to regain their La Liga crown that was taken from them by Atletico Madrid.
The striker also enjoyed a return to the French national team after a six-year exile, leading them to glory in the UEFA Nations League.
Also get to know Karim Benzema's religion, his beliefs, and who he is as a player.
