Tag: Real 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...
The 10 best players Real Madrid could sign in the summer 2026 transfer window
Analysis

The 10 best players Real Madrid could sign in the summer 2026 transfer window

Although Real Madrid are still in La Liga title contention and among the clubs in the Champions League knockout stages, it has been another tumultuous season for the Royal Whites, who already gave up on Xabi Alonso after being embarrassed by Barcelona in yet another cup final. Meanwhile, in the other cup, the Copa del Rey, the Merengues were embarrassed by second division side Albacete (who have Jesus Vallejo, of all players). There is dysfunction rife in the heart of Madrid, but there are also genuine problems with the squad that have not been addressed. The defense remains shambolic in big games, while the midfield has been gutted by the losses of legends Toni Kroos and Luka Modric, who were never replaced. With the summer 2026 transfer window on the horizon in just four short mont...
Ranking the 10 best young left backs in world football in 2026
Analysis

Ranking the 10 best young left backs in world football in 2026

Because left footers are more rare than right footers and because top fullbacks are hard to find in the modern game, left backs are among the most valuable players in world football and can often be a weak link for the top teams in European football. As 2026 trudges onward, let's take a look at the best young left backs in world football today, ranking the current crop of young talent under the age of 24 from 10th to 1st. 10. Daniel Svensson, Borussia Dortmund If this list were solely about the players' performances in the 2025/26 season, Daniel Svensson would probably rank a couple of slots higher, because he has overperformed this season as a workhorse player on the left flank in that wing back role on a Dortmund team that is otherwise pretty atrocious out wide. While projectin...
Fantasy La Liga 2026: Ranking the 10 best midfielders to own for maximum points
Analysis

Fantasy La Liga 2026: Ranking the 10 best midfielders to own for maximum points

Choosing the best midfielders in La Liga Fantasy is a lot more difficult than just going with the best overall players, the stars on the best teams, or even who is actually playing the best because the scoring system favors midfielders who score goals, dribble incisively, and make decisive defensive actions as part of a successful team defense. Negotiating all of these variables is often difficult. Here are the best La Liga midfielders to own in fantasy for the remainder of the 2025/26 season based on their ability to give you maximum points, regardless of their cost. 10. Luis Milla, Getafe With seven assists this season, Luis Milla is one of the best table setters in La Liga, and he is also a quality defender in the middle of the park. But he isn't going to get you many points anyw...
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...
Is Jude Bellingham overrated?
Analysis

Is Jude Bellingham overrated?

It has been a topsy turvy 2025/26 season for Real Madrid in La Liga, and while they are still in the league title race, they have already lost out on two major trophies in the Spanish Supercup and Copa del Rey. For any other club, the situation would not have been a sackable offense for manager Xabi Alonso, but the players had already turned on the new manager mere months - or even less - into his reign. One of those players pinpointed by fans as part of the mutiny against Alonso was Jude Bellingham, who is no stranger to being a target of media criticism. A lot of the personal dislike has bled into Bellingham being called "overrated". So let's analyze how true that is. Is Jude Bellingham overrated? Why do people say that? And how good is Jude actually? Why people say Jude Bellin...
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...
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...