With the 2014/15 Primera Liga season drawing to a close on Saturday night, European football correspondent Andy Mitten picks his team of the season, led by the sterling performances of Barcelona's Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi.
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Forward: Luis Suarez, Barcelona
An outstanding first season in Spain, after missing the first quarter. Suarez, 28, trained hard after joining from Liverpool, but his biting ban meant he could not play until October. The Uruguayan then combined wonderfully with fellow South Americans Messi and Neymar. Part of the best front three in football, he has scored 16 goals in 25 league starts and made 14 assists.
Forward: Lionel Messi, Barcelona
One of the best players in history, Messi is back in form. Madrid’s media were disingenuous stating that Barca only triumphed because of him, giving as evidence them losing the only game Messi did not start, but he remains their talisman. A diet change meant he looked fitter, clearing the air with his coach in January brought focus.
Goalkeeper: Claudio Bravo, Barcelona
The Chilean, signed from Real Sociedad to replace Victor Valdes, enjoyed a superb first season at Camp Nou. Just 19 goals conceded with one game to go, the lowest since Deportivo’s 18 in 1994, means a first Zamora award for the league’s best goalkeeper. Bravo won the battle to be No 1 in the league, but the final league game was likely to be his last of the season as the hugely impressive Marc-Andre ter Stegen has been used for cup matches.
Right back. Dani Alves, Barcelona
The Brazilian is set to announce that he’s leaving Barca on Monday. It is a shame for while he did not look the player he had been at the start of the season, Alves became the one-man wing of yore in the decisive final months. Cynics say he was playing for a three-year contract, which is likely to be at Paris Saint-German.
Left back: Jose Luis Gaya, Valencia
Valencia is a left-back factory with Jordi Alba and Juan Bernat developed and sold in recent seasons. Replacement Gaya, just 19, is already established as the first choice left-back, with no regrets from his manager. An excellent crosser and strong tackler, Gaya has also made six assists.
Central defender: Nicolas Otamendi, Valencia
The Valencia defender, 28, started all but three of his side’s league matches in his first season in Spain after a transfer from Porto. His nine bookings are an indicator of his aggression, but Valencia’s best Argentine defender since Roberto Ayala is a target for bigger clubs. Valencia, unsurprisingly, want to keep him.
Central defender: Sergio Ramos, Real Madrid
Injury caused him to miss 10 games, but the Andalusian, 29, remains one of the best defenders. Tougher and more of an influence on his team than Barca’s brilliant Gerard Pique and Javier Mascherano, Ramos embodied a spirit that Madrid fans love. It was enough to keep them in the Champions League final last year, not enough this year as Madrid came up short.
Midfield: Sergio Busquets, Barcelona
With the more attack-minded Xavi leaving, it is vital that the Catalan, 26, signed a new long-term contract that keeps him at Barca. Busquets brings balance and consistent authority to his side. Appreciated in Spain, he is underrated outside his country.
Midfield: Koke, Atletico Madrid
Atletico’s Spanish international, 23, can play anywhere in a midfield three. His side did not retain the title, but third place in the league and the final eight in the Champions League was still a success. Lifelong Atletico fan Koke seldom scores, but his 10 assists show his value in set pieces and crosses.
Midfield: James Rodriguez, Real Madrid
An excellent first season in Spain, the Real Madrid attacking midfielder scored 12 league goals and made 12 assists in 28 games. It would have been more but for injury. More direct and decisive than Isco, the Colombian, 23, retains possession well, crosses, works as a foil for Toni Kroos and the bigger star ahead of him.
Forward: Cristiano Ronaldo, Real Madrid
He was crowned a world champion with Madrid in December and won the Ballon d’Or in January, but despite winning the Pichichi award for top scorer with an astonishing 45 goals (before the final game of the season), the term ended in disappointment for the Portuguese star, 30. Madrid’s best player, he has only won one title in six years.