This is Guillem Balague team of the season, and his explanation of it. Whats yours?
Victor Valdes, Barcelona: He's always had his doubters - and not just armchair fans either, but significant figures in the game like the national team coach - but how can there be a question mark over Barcelona's Victor Valdes who secured his third ever Zamora Trophy after conceding just 24 goals in 38 games this season. Barcelona's high defensive line has left him exposed on numerous occasions this term but his outstanding abilities in one on one situations has saved the day a countless number of times. That quality, along with his excellent feet and ability to play as a sweeper-keeper, is key to the entire Barcelona side playing the way that they do. And now he finally has the long overdue national call-up he thoroughly deserves.
Alvaro Arbeloa, Real Madrid: Arbeloa is an easy choice for me, partially because he too had his doubters upon his return to Real Madrid, the club where he began his career. He has been pivotal to Pellegrini's defensive shape this season, helping Real Madrid become the second best back line in the league, and the kind of full back every manager dreams of having in his squad: capable of playing on either flank, in the centre and accomplished in both defence and attack. When his team urgently needed him to, he made the switch from right to left back look easy - and he's added goals to his game as well.
Gerard Pique, Barcelona: There can be no argument against including Gerard Pique at the centre of defence: the man at the heart of the team that conceded just 24 times all season. He's added the tough physical lesson learned in England to his intelligence, positioning and passing - making him one of the best in the world game. He's even dazzled as a centre forward! A real character as well and a big personality who is key to Barcelona's success.
Chico, Almeria: I'm partnering Pique with Chico, who has played a key role in keeping his side's goal difference down, despite their finishing in the bottom half of the table. He is maturing well after spending a season on loan at Barcelona B a couple of years back and is a key player in the successful Spanish youth sides. He has a big future ahead of him at a big club one day.
Filipe Luis, Deportivo: It might seem strange picking Filipe Luis, a full back who spent half the season injured, but before he suffered that horrific injury in January - just after scoring against Athletic - he was by far and away the best full back in La Liga and arguably the best attacking full back in Europe. At the time, Depor were 4th and with Filipe in the side they picked up 37 points in 20 matches - without him, they slipped down the table earning just 10 points in 17.
Xavi. Barcelona: It was strange hearing so many pundits eulogising Xavi after his performances against Arsenal in the Champions League and felt as if the rest of the world was finally waking up to something we regular La Liga watchers have known for a very long time: while the spotlight was always on guys like Ronaldinho, Henry and Messi; the heartbeat of this fantastic Barcelona side is Xavi. His ability to retain possession and build a platform for attacks is now revered the world over and he will also be key to Spain's success in South Africa. Is there a more perfect passer of the ball in world football?
Pedro Leon, Getafe: Getafe finished 17th last season, and weren't expected to finish in the top six - and aside from the excellent work done by Michel in coaching the team back into Europe - Pedro Leon deserves much of the credit. A genuine winger, his 8 league goals and numerous assists were invaluable to his side's excellent season. He is, for my mind, one of the most exciting players outside the top four clubs and it is little wonder that Premier League clubs are keeping a close eye on him.
Pedro, Barcelona: One of this season's revelations, Pedro's finishing has been second to none. Cool in front of goal, his 12 goals this season - six with the right foot and six with his left - illustrate his wonderful goalscoring technique and his versatility to play anywhere on either flank. He became the first player to score in six different club competitions during a single season in Barcelona's campaign and deserves his call up into Del Bosque's provisional 30 man squad for South Africa.
Cristiano Ronaldo, Real Madrid: Of course, there's no such thing as a one-man team and I would never suggest that Real Madrid are nothing without Cristiano Ronaldo. But the fact remains that, at times this season, the former United man has single-handedly made the difference for his new club. As we have seen on occasions, that can be as much of a virtue as it can be a hindrance; but with 26 goals in 28 La Liga starts in his first season in Spain, he has silenced those who doubted his ability to adapt, inspired his new club to push Barcelona for the title and deserves his place alongside Lionel Messi as the two best players of their generation.
Lionel Messi, Barcelona: And what can we say about Lionel Messi that we haven't said a thousand times before on these pages. Sky Sports La Liga watchers have been truly privileged to witness the birth, coming of age and flourishing of one of the best players many of us will ever see. And it's all the more astonishing because there is no ego or attitude and we are really watching one of the greats playing as if he is kicking the ball around he yard with his mates. He picked up his first ever Pichichi trophy after scoring 34 league goals in a single season and also won the European Golden Shoe with 68 points, a massive 10 points ahead of his closest rival, Chelsea's Didier Drogba. And he did it all with a smile on his face.
Gonzalo Higuain, Real Madrid: At any other club on the planet, our centre forward would be an absolute hero, assured of a lucrative new contract offer and a lynchpin of the side after scoring 27 goals in 31 La Liga games. Yet Gonzalo Higuain has had to prove himself time after time after time, and still he is never more than slight gust of wind away from falling through the Bernabeu trapdoor. The fact that he has matured, fulfilled his early potential and delivered key goals to win crucial games in an atmosphere where it was always made clear that he was a mere understudy to Karim Benzema makes his impressive season stats all the more remarkable. The one blemish on his season were the accusations of an excess of individualism - not exactly something you would have thought of as a crime amongst a star-studded collection of players assembled by Florentino Perez.
Victor Valdes, Barcelona: He's always had his doubters - and not just armchair fans either, but significant figures in the game like the national team coach - but how can there be a question mark over Barcelona's Victor Valdes who secured his third ever Zamora Trophy after conceding just 24 goals in 38 games this season. Barcelona's high defensive line has left him exposed on numerous occasions this term but his outstanding abilities in one on one situations has saved the day a countless number of times. That quality, along with his excellent feet and ability to play as a sweeper-keeper, is key to the entire Barcelona side playing the way that they do. And now he finally has the long overdue national call-up he thoroughly deserves.
Alvaro Arbeloa, Real Madrid: Arbeloa is an easy choice for me, partially because he too had his doubters upon his return to Real Madrid, the club where he began his career. He has been pivotal to Pellegrini's defensive shape this season, helping Real Madrid become the second best back line in the league, and the kind of full back every manager dreams of having in his squad: capable of playing on either flank, in the centre and accomplished in both defence and attack. When his team urgently needed him to, he made the switch from right to left back look easy - and he's added goals to his game as well.
Gerard Pique, Barcelona: There can be no argument against including Gerard Pique at the centre of defence: the man at the heart of the team that conceded just 24 times all season. He's added the tough physical lesson learned in England to his intelligence, positioning and passing - making him one of the best in the world game. He's even dazzled as a centre forward! A real character as well and a big personality who is key to Barcelona's success.
Chico, Almeria: I'm partnering Pique with Chico, who has played a key role in keeping his side's goal difference down, despite their finishing in the bottom half of the table. He is maturing well after spending a season on loan at Barcelona B a couple of years back and is a key player in the successful Spanish youth sides. He has a big future ahead of him at a big club one day.
Filipe Luis, Deportivo: It might seem strange picking Filipe Luis, a full back who spent half the season injured, but before he suffered that horrific injury in January - just after scoring against Athletic - he was by far and away the best full back in La Liga and arguably the best attacking full back in Europe. At the time, Depor were 4th and with Filipe in the side they picked up 37 points in 20 matches - without him, they slipped down the table earning just 10 points in 17.
Xavi. Barcelona: It was strange hearing so many pundits eulogising Xavi after his performances against Arsenal in the Champions League and felt as if the rest of the world was finally waking up to something we regular La Liga watchers have known for a very long time: while the spotlight was always on guys like Ronaldinho, Henry and Messi; the heartbeat of this fantastic Barcelona side is Xavi. His ability to retain possession and build a platform for attacks is now revered the world over and he will also be key to Spain's success in South Africa. Is there a more perfect passer of the ball in world football?
Pedro Leon, Getafe: Getafe finished 17th last season, and weren't expected to finish in the top six - and aside from the excellent work done by Michel in coaching the team back into Europe - Pedro Leon deserves much of the credit. A genuine winger, his 8 league goals and numerous assists were invaluable to his side's excellent season. He is, for my mind, one of the most exciting players outside the top four clubs and it is little wonder that Premier League clubs are keeping a close eye on him.
Pedro, Barcelona: One of this season's revelations, Pedro's finishing has been second to none. Cool in front of goal, his 12 goals this season - six with the right foot and six with his left - illustrate his wonderful goalscoring technique and his versatility to play anywhere on either flank. He became the first player to score in six different club competitions during a single season in Barcelona's campaign and deserves his call up into Del Bosque's provisional 30 man squad for South Africa.
Cristiano Ronaldo, Real Madrid: Of course, there's no such thing as a one-man team and I would never suggest that Real Madrid are nothing without Cristiano Ronaldo. But the fact remains that, at times this season, the former United man has single-handedly made the difference for his new club. As we have seen on occasions, that can be as much of a virtue as it can be a hindrance; but with 26 goals in 28 La Liga starts in his first season in Spain, he has silenced those who doubted his ability to adapt, inspired his new club to push Barcelona for the title and deserves his place alongside Lionel Messi as the two best players of their generation.
Lionel Messi, Barcelona: And what can we say about Lionel Messi that we haven't said a thousand times before on these pages. Sky Sports La Liga watchers have been truly privileged to witness the birth, coming of age and flourishing of one of the best players many of us will ever see. And it's all the more astonishing because there is no ego or attitude and we are really watching one of the greats playing as if he is kicking the ball around he yard with his mates. He picked up his first ever Pichichi trophy after scoring 34 league goals in a single season and also won the European Golden Shoe with 68 points, a massive 10 points ahead of his closest rival, Chelsea's Didier Drogba. And he did it all with a smile on his face.
Gonzalo Higuain, Real Madrid: At any other club on the planet, our centre forward would be an absolute hero, assured of a lucrative new contract offer and a lynchpin of the side after scoring 27 goals in 31 La Liga games. Yet Gonzalo Higuain has had to prove himself time after time after time, and still he is never more than slight gust of wind away from falling through the Bernabeu trapdoor. The fact that he has matured, fulfilled his early potential and delivered key goals to win crucial games in an atmosphere where it was always made clear that he was a mere understudy to Karim Benzema makes his impressive season stats all the more remarkable. The one blemish on his season were the accusations of an excess of individualism - not exactly something you would have thought of as a crime amongst a star-studded collection of players assembled by Florentino Perez.
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