La Liga has established itself as the most spectacle friendly of all the top football leagues. Yes, the Premier League may have the viewers, and Serie A may be lauded for the managers’ fancy tactics. La Liga is all about speed and technique.
This makes discussions about the Team of the Season for the Spanish top tier particularly interesting and dicey. To cut through the static, we’ve opted to use the complex FootballCoin scoring system once more.
Here are the most impressive performers across the Spanish division this season. This is the La Liga Team of the Season for the 2022/23 campaign.
Goalkeeper
Marc-Andre Ter Stegen (FC Barcelona) – 1106 points in FootballCoin
In the goalkeeping department, Marc-Andre Ter Stegen showcased his exceptional abilities once again. The German shot-stopper was a crucial presence for FC Barcelona, pulling off stunning saves and commanding his area with authority.
FC Barcelona grabbed the title winner’s medals once more. This was surprising in itself. But so was the fact that the veteran keeper helped Barca be scored against only 20 times. By contrast, Atletico Madrid, the second-best defence in the league, ended the campaign with 33 goals conceded.
Perhaps it’s time to bring back Marc-Andre Ter Stegen in the discussion over the best goalkeepers in the world.
Defenders
Francisco Garcia (Rayo Vallecano) – 1093 points
For much of the season, Rayo Vallecano were the neutral’s favourites. That’s because they played entertaining football, brought back old stars like Falcao, and created a number of upsets. The Ronaldo-owned club ended their campaign in a satisfying 11th place.
Francisco Garcia was Rayo Vallecano’s brightest light this season. The 22-year-old demonstrated remarkable defensive skills, earning him a well-deserved place in the Team of the Season. Garcia started every match and demonstrated leadership and technical abilities well above his age. For progressive passes, the defender ranks among Europe’s top 2%.
Jose Luis Gaya (Valencia) – 1024 points
Valencia barely survived relegation this season. It was another close call. But through this mess, the club learned it can depend on a few of its players. Jose Luis Gaya was one of the Bats’ leaders on and off the pitch. A strong tackler with a knack for offensive contributions, Gaya earns a spot on our list.
Eder Militao (Real Madrid) – 1022 points
Militao’s ascendence continued this season in spite of Real Madrid losing out on the La Liga and UEFA Champions League titles. This appears to be merely a temporary setback for both the player and the club.
Under Carlo Ancelotti’s guidance, Militao has become one of Real’s undisputed top players. His great number of blocks along with his strong passing and tackling, make him an integral part of the most famous club in the world going forward.
Unai Nunez (Celta de Vigo) – 998 points
Celta Vigo was another feel-good story this season. Victories over Barcelona and Betis, together with a 13th-place finish, are enough to keep fans happy. And, in Unai Nunez, the team had one of the best defenders in the league.
A no-nonsense centre-back, Nunez was one of the best players across Europe for interceptions and successful take-ons. And, no doubt, the top clubs across Europe will have noticed.
Nunez keeps other notable defenders like Alejandro Balde or Nahuel Molina off the TOTS list.
Midfielders
Dani Parejo (Villareal) – 1199 points
Dani Parejo is the La Liga MVP in 2023. This is an awe-inspiring feat considering his competition or the fact that the veteran midfielder has only earned four call-ups for the Spanish national team.
The Villareal midfielder did it all with a combination of expert passing, inventive chance creation, and pure grit. Other midfielders in La Liga may have more fans. But I can guarantee you, none of them has scored better in FootballCoin this season.
Sergi Dareder (Espanyol) – 1057 points
It was a nightmare season for Espanyol who finished 19th in the league and succumbed to relegation. What’s worse is that they’ll most likely not be able to depend on Sergi Dareder next season. The 28-year-old was fantastic and will certainly be fielding a lot of transfer requests.
Dareder scored six, assisted three, and, alongside Joselu, was the only player that gave Espanyol any hope that their team might avoid the feared drop.
Toni Kroos (Real Madrid) – 1016 points
Toni Kroos just gets better with age, it seems. Like his long-serving Real companion, Luka Modric, Kroos remains an integral part of a still successful Real Madrid team.
Looking at the stats, it’s clear that Carlo Ancelotti isn’t merely doing the German a favour by playing him. Simply put, there aren’t many better passers across Europe, and it’s unlike that there will be.
Frankie de Jong (FC Barcelona) – 945 points
Frenkie de Jong finally answered his critics this season with consistently good performances and an important La Liga victory.
At his best, de Jong can do just about everything, it seems, making seemingly impossible passes, tackling at the perfect moment and contributing to all aspects of Barca’s playing.
Not even star midfielders like Ernest Valverde or Yannick Carrasco have done enough to shake de Jong from his spot on the La Lig TOTS.
Forwards
Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid) – 1191 points
Antoine Griezmann went from hero to zero and back again across the past two seasons. His departure to Barcelona and the time spent there has not helped make him popular with Atletico’s fateful. But the excellent final weeks of this season have certainly helped sweeten the deal.
Griezmann managed a terrific fifteen goals and sixteen assists this campaign. It rivals his best early career seasons spent at Real Sociedad or Atletico Madrid. MOTM performances against Real Betis will leave in memory for a long time.
And, suddenly, just like that, the Frenchman is back to the form of his life.
Isi Palazon (Rayo Vallecano) – 1078 points
Isi Palazon is a surprise entry, no doubt. But the striker and Rayo Vallecano both deserve it. Palazon was Rayo’s creative engine. Capable of playing in a number of positions, the Spaniard managed nine goals and five assists and pulled his weight across the 37 matches in which he has played.
It’s enough to see off the challenge of Robert Lewandowski, Gabri Veiga, and other players that have been active in the 2022 World Cup.
Palazon is likely to be at Rayo next year, too, and you’d expect that Andoni Iraola’s teamsheet begins with the forward’s name.
