Messi, Oblak, Ronaldo & the Liga Team of the Season

With Barcelona having already wrapped up the double, and now on the verge of an unbeaten Liga campaign, Goal picks its top 11 players of 2017-18

GK: Jan Oblak

The latest in a long line of great goalkeepers at Atletico Madrid, Jan Oblak is a pivotal part of the Rojiblancos’ miserly defence which has conceded just 20 goals in La Liga this season.

The Slovenian shot-stopper is considered by many to be the best goalkeeper in the world right now and has kept an amazing 22 clean sheets in the Primera Division in 2017-18.

RB: Alvaro Odriozola

A revelation at right-back for Real Sociedad this season, Alvaro Odriozola made his senior Spain debut in October and the 22-year-old, who is interesting Real Madrid, is in contention for a place in Julen Lopetegui’s squad for the World Cup this summer.

He is solid defensively and a modern-day full-back who likes to attack with pace on the wing. Odriozola has provided four assists in La Liga this season.

CB: Diego Godin

At his best, Diego Godin is perhaps the world’s best defender and the Uruguayan remains a rock for Atletico Madrid.

Now 32, the South American has made 27 appearances for Diego Simeone’s side in La Liga this term and is a big reason behind the Rojiblancos’ brilliant defence, which has let in just 20 goals in the Primera Division all season.

CB: Samuel Umtiti

Samuel Umtiti has been solid at the back for Barcelona again and alongside Gerard Pique, he has transformed the Blaugrana back line.

Since he signed in the summer of 2016, Barca have lost just one league game with the French defender in the team – a 2-0 defeat at Malaga last season – and this term Ernesto Valverde’s side have conceded just 23 goals in the Primera Division.

LB: Jordi Alba

Jordi Alba has been revitalised this season under Ernesto Valverde.

The Barcelona left-back did not end on great terms with previous coach Luis Enrique, but is back to his best in the current campaign, a big feature of Barca’s success in defence and attack, where he has struck up an excellent understanding with Lionel Messi.

Alba has scored two goals in 2017-18, including an important equaliser at Valencia, and has a personal best eight assists in La Liga this term.

CM: Sergio Busquets

Sergio Busquets’ influence cannot be measured in statistics, but he is the man who makes Barcelona tick in midfield.

The 29-year-old gives the team balance and starts the transition between defence and attack. Much of his best work goes unnoticed, yet Barca are never the same side when he is absent.

He has made 27 appearances in La Liga, with one goal and three assists. But he does so much more.

CM: Toni Kroos

This has been an up-and-down season in La Liga for Real Madrid, but one of the players who has maintained a consistent level almost throughout is Toni Kroos and the German midfielder helped set up Los Blancos’ first goal in the 2-2 draw at Barcelona on Sunday.

Overall, he has four goals and six assists in 24 appearances for Zinedine Zidane’s side in the Primera Division this term.

CM: Fabian Ruiz

Fabian Ruiz has been a joy to watch for Betis this season and his performances have helped the Seville-based side qualify for Europe against all odds.

The 22-year-old attacking midfielder has scored three times and assisted six as Quique Setien’s men have played some of the best football in La Liga.

And his performances have meant they have not missed Dani Ceballos following the midfielder’s move to Real Madrid last summer.

LW: Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo got off to a slow start in La Liga, with just four goals in the first half of the season, but the Real Madrid superstar has been on fantastic form since the turn of the year and now has 25 in his 26 appearances in the Primera Division.

Those include his goal against Barcelona on Sunday, four in a win over Girona, a hat-trick at home to Real Sociedad and doubles versus Eibar, Getafe, Valencia, Alaves, Deportivo and Sevilla.

CF: Iago Aspas

Iago Aspas has been brilliant for Celta Vigo and has 20 goals from his 32 appearances in the Primera Division. Highlights include hat-tricks against Sevilla and Las Palmas and a goal both home and away in the 2-2 draws against Barcelona.

Aspas, who also has five assists, came off the bench to star for Spain in their 6-1 win over Argentina in March and looks a safe bet for a place in this summer’s World Cup in Russia.

RW: Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi has been Barcelona’s best player again this season.

With 33 goals and 12 assists in just 31 appearances in La Liga, the Argentine attacker is one of the main reasons that the Blaugrana have cruised to the title without defeat.

Goals home and away against Real Madrid, a fantastic free-kick winner versus Atletico, a late leveller after coming off the bench at Sevilla, plus hat-tricks versus Deportivo and Espanyol and four in a 6-1 win over Eibar, are just some of the standout moments.