Tag: Atletico Madrid

The 25 Best Players in La Liga Right Now, Ranked
All-Time Lists

The 25 Best Players in La Liga Right Now, Ranked

La Liga has no shortage of superstars in 2026/27. From the three-headed monster at Real Madrid to Barcelona's seemingly endless collection of elite young talent, the league remains home to some of the most gifted footballers anywhere in the world. But this isn't a ranking of the most famous players, the players with the biggest transfer values, or the players with the best careers. This is about who the best players in La Liga are right now. Current ability matters most. So does recent form, consistency, importance to their team, and the simple question of how much of a difference they make when they're at their best. That means established legends still have their place, rising stars can force their way into the conversation, and some massive names have been left surprisingly low. Wit...
Ranking the 10 best young La Liga players in 2026
Rankings

Ranking the 10 best young La Liga players in 2026

Unfortunately, La Liga is falling behind the other top five European leagues in terms of spending, so talent development on a grassroots level has become more important for Spanish clubs than ever before. Sadly, by the same token, La Liga are falling behind in developing talent, particularly the academies at the smallest clubs in Spain. They are seeing their talents poached and having more difficulty initially bringing bright young talents aboard with the scouting networks of Real Madrid and Barcelona, in particular, only growing stronger. It is no surprise, of course, that Real Madrid and Barcelona dominate the list of the best young players in La Liga today, and, in truth, these two powerhouse clubs have the best collection of young talent in the world out of any clubs around - and...
Ranking the 15 best goalkeepers in world football in 2026
Rankings

Ranking the 15 best goalkeepers in world football in 2026

You would think the goalkeeper position would be the easiest to evaluate on the football pitch, because, well, goalkeepers are more stationary than other players and can be largely evaluated on how successful they are at stopping the other team from scoring. But it isn't really that simple. Although goalkeepers are primarily asked to make saves, ask any Manchester United or Tottenham Hotspur fan how much having a goalkeeper who does not command the box well or makes basic errors in possession can totally destroy your team's sense of stability. There is also the matter of reputation. Many goalkeepers can skate by on a reputation built up over the years of greatness, whereas some younger goalkeepers find it more difficult to gain a foothold for this reason. Finally, there is the mat...
2025/26 LaLiga Power Rankings after Matchday 7
Analysis, Rankings

2025/26 LaLiga Power Rankings after Matchday 7

LaLiga Matchday 7 saw Atlético Madrid destroy Real Madrid 5-2 in the Madrid Derby, Barcelona jump to the top of the table, and Elche stay undefeated with a 2-1 win over Celta Vigo. Let’s review these LaLiga Matchday 7 fixtures and rank teams ahead of Matchday 8.   20. Girona Girona managed to scrap out a 1-1 draw with Espanyol on Matchday 7 thanks to a five-save performance from goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga. The Argentine was the Blanquivermells man of the match, but the entire defense did their part, holding Espanyol to just 1.08 xG from 20 shots.  Offensively, though, Girona really struggled to convert solid opportunities. Of their seven shots in the box, they only managed to get one on target. They missed their only big chance of the game. Results like this draw are why I think Giron...
2025/26 LaLiga picks, score predictions for every Matchday 7 fixture
Analysis

2025/26 LaLiga picks, score predictions for every Matchday 7 fixture

LaLiga had a full set of matches during the week, but the action doesn’t ever stop in Spain. The games pick right back up this weekend, with big matchups like Atlético Madrid vs. Real Madrid, Villarreal vs. Athletic Club, and Barcelona vs. Real Sociedad. Here are my LaLiga picks and score predictions for these matches and every other Matchday 7 fixture.  Girona vs. Espanyol Estadi Municipal de Montilivi, 9:00pm CEST (3:00pm ET), Friday, September 26 Girona unexpectedly found themselves in the relegation fight last season. This year, they look on track to actually go down. The Catalan club have lost four of their six LaLiga matches so far — all of which were by two goals or more. However, they managed to scrape out a 1-1 draw with Athletic Club in Matchday 6.  Espanyol finished just t...
Champions League Power Rankings: The 5 most likely first-time winners
Rankings

Champions League Power Rankings: The 5 most likely first-time winners

The usual suspects are the favorites to win the 2025/26 Champions League, with reigning champions PSG joining the holy trinity of Bayern Munich, Barcelona, and Real Madrid, as well as last year's Premier League winners Liverpool, as the top five favorites to conquer European football this season. However, what's just as interesting is talking about which teams could break through and win their first Champions League title in history. And not all of those teams are underdogs, as sides like Atletico Madrid that have been regulars or Premier League title contenders Arsenal are also among the list of teams still seeking their first taste of the very summit of European football. Perhaps the 2025/26 Champions League season will be the one that gets one of these historic clubs off the schne...
La Liga 2025/26 Storylines: Title Race, Real Oviedo’s Return, and Relegation Drama
Analysis

La Liga 2025/26 Storylines: Title Race, Real Oviedo’s Return, and Relegation Drama

As the 2025/26 La Liga season is set to begin, Spanish football promises a captivating blend of high-stakes rivalries, historic comebacks, and intense battles across the table. From the race for the title to the fight for survival, here are five key storylines, packed with context and insights, to watch this season. La Liga 2025/26 Title Race: Can Barcelona Defend Their Crown Against Real Madrid and Atlético? The race for the La Liga title promises to be an exciting competition, with FC Barcelona and Real Madrid as the leading contenders, and Atlético Madrid posing as a potential dark horse. Barcelona, managed by Hansi Flick, secured the title last season and boasts a dynamic attacking lineup led by rising star Lamine Yamal. The recent addition of Marcus Rashford on loan from Manches...
Ranking The Top 25 Players In La Liga History
All-Time Lists

Ranking The Top 25 Players In La Liga History

Who are the greatest players in La Liga history? It's a deceptively simple question, but ranking the top 25 legends of Spain's top flight requires more than just goals and trophies. From the golden era of Alfredo Di Stéfano and Francisco Gento to the recent reign of Lionel Messi and Karim Benzema, La Liga has produced some of the most iconic footballers ever to play the game. This ranking dives deep into the best players in La Liga of all time, factoring in longevity, influence, technical brilliance, and historical context. We’re not just listing the top La Liga goal scorers or the most decorated names — we’re asking who truly defined eras and shaped Spanish football across decades. Whether it's midfield magicians like Xavi and Iniesta or cult heroes like Quini, this is the defini...
La Liga Fantasy 2025: Ranking The Top 10 Center Backs
Analysis

La Liga Fantasy 2025: Ranking The Top 10 Center Backs

When building your La Liga Fantasy 2025/26 squad, locking in a dominant center‑back is non‑negotiable. These are the top 10 La Liga centre‑backs who delivered elite defensive returns, clean sheets, and bonus‑scoring consistency. Anchoring your backline with reliable figures can set you apart. This ranking fuses defensive metrics, bonus‑point impact, and real‑world form to highlight the best CB assets, shining a spotlight on the most effective picks for fantasy managers chasing clean sheets and wins. 10. Antonio Raillo, Mallorca Mallorca have started to play a little more exciting on the attacking end over the past couple of years since their return to La Liga, but make no mistake, this team was built on hard-nosed defending, and when the matchup is right, they are absolutely lockdown ...
The 15 Most Underrated Summer Transfers In European Football History
All-Time Lists

The 15 Most Underrated Summer Transfers In European Football History

Some transfers are celebrated before a ball is even kicked. Others fly under the radar — only to become vital pieces of silverware-winning squads, cult heroes, or defining figures of an era. In this article, we rank the 15 most underrated summer transfers in European football history, from free-agent coups to forgotten title-winners. These aren't the players with the most medals or the flashiest fees. They're the ones who quietly changed clubs — and never got the recognition they deserved. 15. Diego Godín → Atlético Madrid (2010, €8m from Villarreal) Position: Centre-back Achievements: La Liga title (2014), 2x UCL finalist, 389 appearances Why underrated: Godín was crucial to Simeone’s Atleti revolution, forming one of the most feared back lines in Europe. ...