We’re almost halfway through La Liga, but the winter break gives us a good chance to look back on the season so far. Here is your team for the season based on the sample size we have.
Goalkeeper – Aaron Escandell – Real Oviedo
Remarkable as it may sound for the joint-third worst defense in the division, it could have been worse. Aaron Escandell made several miraculous saves to keep Los Carbayones in the games, where their poor attacking form gave little hope. He ranks highest for saves in Europe’s top five leagues (80), and 4th in La Liga in save percentage. If he compares the expected goals scored, he is the highest in Spain, with a remarkable balance of 6.5.
Honorable mention: Thibaut Courtois, Joan Garcia
Right back – Marcos Llorente – Atletico Madrid
Returning to the Spanish team, it has been a while since Marcos Llorente felt like a temporary option at right back. Llorente gives Atletico a thrust and a competitive edge to the side, which is difficult to account for especially when paired with Giuliano Simeone.
Honorable Mention: Andrei Ratiu, Santiago Mourinho
Centre-back – Eder Militao – Real Madrid
We were a little worried about injuries, but 13 appearances means Eder Militao has just done enough to be included – not least because Real Madrid have fallen behind without him. His return to being a starter after two ACL injuries is an achievement in itself, but he was the glue in Xabi Alonso’s backline.
Honorable mentions: Pedro Bigas, Nahuel Tenaglia
Centre-back – David Affengruber – Elche
Elche defender David Affengruber was an unknown when he arrived in La Liga, but he was doing it all, and he was as flawless as Eder Sarabia could have hoped. Providing a strong backfield, Affengruber’s reading of the game and skill on the ball has been on the rise this season. Elche look very good going forward, but Affengruber has been a building block.
Honorable mentions: Jose Maria Gimenez, Leandro Cabrera
Left back – Carlos Romero – Espanyol
Carlos Romero has already shown signs of excellence for Espanyol, but this season he has continued to rise. Able to attack inside and outside, clever on the ball, and more gentle than all of Espanyol’s full-backs, there can be little argument that Romero is the perfect left-back in La Liga based on performance.
Honorable mentions: Oscar Mingueza, German Valera, Pep Chavarria
Midfielder – Pablo Fornals
Player of the season contender so far, Pablo Fornals has contributed to Real Betis. Apart from Isco, and the more consistent Giovani Lo Celso, Fornals is the reason Betis continue to choose the way in teams, and a big part of a deeper role with more defensive responsibility. Manuel Pellegrini’s current leader.
Honorable mentions: Edu Exposito, Luis Milla
Midfielder – Koke Resurreccion – Atletico Madrid
Resurrection is indeed Koke’s name. We are as surprised as you, but it is difficult to imagine much better, even if this could have been awarded to the best Luis Milla, or his partner Pablo Barrios. However, Koke’s impact has been crucial in stabilizing Diego Simeone’s side, and he has once again made his mark at Atletico. To put it very simply, the record for Atletico and Koke’s debut is a draw and 12 wins. With Koke sitting on the bench, he played in two draws and three defeats…
Honorable mentions: Pablo Barrios, Santi Comesana
Midfielder – Pedri – Barcelona
There is a tendency not to appreciate players who are always very good unless they are outstanding. Make no mistake, Pedri has been brilliant this season, but it is his constant tweaking of this Barcelona side that has turned them into a different team. Barcelona have shown they can survive games without him, but that’s all.
Honorable mentions: Azzedine Ounahi, Eric Garcia
Right winger – Lamine Yamal – Barcelona
The discussion surrounding Lamine Yamal has lost a bit of focus on his still very bright football. La Liga’s leading assist provider, he leads the category in effective take-ups, shots per game, and is second only to Kylian Mbappe in goal-creating actions. The numbers don’t show that he is still the most magical footballer in Spain right now.
Honorees: Tajon Buchanan, Giuliano Simeone
Forward – Kylian Mbappe – Real Madrid
It’s amazing how good Kylian Mbappe has been in a seemingly dysfunctional team. Mbappe has 29 goals and five assists in just 24 games. In 2025, he literally put in Cristiano Ronaldo’s numbers. Lightning fast, the feeling is that La Liga’s defenses are likely to come in at some point, and it’s about limiting how often it happens. The defining player in the division right now.
Honorable mentions: Borja Iglesias, Ferran Torres
Left-forward – Alberto Moleiro – Villarreal
Despite not starting the season as usual, Moleiro has six goals and two assists in 16 games. That puts him 8th in goals per 90 minutes, and he exceeds the expected goals by 2.4 (fourth in La Liga); some of those goals were important and impressive as well. Moleiro is still a real threat, and looks like he could fill Alex Baena’s boots.
We agree that this area is open to controversy; Raphinha has started half of Barcelona’s league games, Arguably the deepest place in the division two years ago, when Nico Williams was also there, it was eerily quiet.
Honorees: Raphinha, Antoine Griezmann
As the curtain comes down on 2025, here’s yours #LaLiga Team of the Season (so far). pic.twitter.com/iDc38Bx3PQ
— Football España (@footballespana_) December 31, 2025
