Team of the Season is just around the corner, so we thought we'd make some predictions for who we expect to see in each of the major league Team of the Season squads coming during the promo this year.
Through the words of Patric, and the graphics of Helmar Designs, we'll show you who's expected to star in each team, explain the reasons for their inclusion, and give you a glimpse of what their Team of the Season Items could look like. Today we'll be taking a look at potential players from LaLiga.
LaLiga Team of the Season Prediction
LaLiga TOTS Starting XI
GK: Marc-André ter Stegen (Barcelona)
The La Liga 2022-23 campaign has arguably been one of the most immense in several years. Barcelona is the current league leader, with 73 points after 29 league games while Real Madrid, Real Sociedad and Atletico Madrid complete the top four spots. The German international is arguably the most in-form goalkeeper right now and his goalkeeping proficiency has been decent so far. Ter Stegen has kept eight clean sheets in his last 10 appearances for Barcelona. Similarly, he has registered the most number of clean sheets in La Liga this season (22). The 30-year-old has conceded the least number of goals in La Liga so far (9) and his presence in goal remains crucial for Barcelona in the title race.
RB: Jules Koundé (Barcelona)
Ridiculously, Barcelona has conceded a total of just nine goals in 29 La Liga games. That's one conceded every three matches. Barça being Barça, though, they can thank both the attack and defence for that one. Defending starts from the front and the attack starts from the back – with another natural centre-back in Jules Koundé spending much of the season on the right of the back four. He's flawless in possession, superb one on one, strong aerially and had an excellent World Cup, too. After a few false starts at right-back, Barcelona seems to have found the long-term successor (assuming he stays in the role).
CB: Éder Militão (Real Madrid)
The 2021/22 season was the season that Éder Militão moved from an underrated centre-back to ranking among the best defenders in La Liga. Since he joined Real Madrid in 2019, Éder Militão has continued to grow in confidence and stature. What makes him one of the top defenders in the Spanish League is tenacity, technical intelligence, aerial ability, and pace, which helps him regain possession during a counterattack. In 2022/23 Éder Militão stepped up his game, branding himself upon attackers and becoming indispensable to Real’s defence despite David Alaba and Antonio Rüdiger challenging for the centre-back spots.
CB: José Giménez (Atlético Madrid)
There are a lot of other centre-backs in La Liga who performed really well this season and I already expect people to ask for Ronald Araujo but I wanted to include a few different clubs too and that’s why I went with José Giménez from Atletico Madrid. Atleti conceded the second-fewest goals in La Liga this season with 21, which isn’t hard if you see that Barca had the best record with just nine, and Giménez is one of the standout performers in their defence. Other options from Atleti could be either Reinildo or Mario Hermoso but for me, Giménez seems to be more likely.
CM: Aleix Garcia (Girona)
Aleix Garcia is one of the big breakout stars of the 2022/23 LaLiga season, leading Girona to several impressive displays against clubs of all qualities. Girona is ninth in the table, with Garcia standing out as one of the best players in LaLiga at any position. Garcia is averaging five assists and a jaw-dropping 2.7 key passes per game, even though coming into the season, he was a relative unknown. The 25-year-old midfielder hasn’t just been an elite passer and table-setter for his Girona teammates. He’s also performed his defensive duties in midfield well, averaging 1.3 tackles and 1.1 interceptions per game.
CM: Pedri (Barcelona)
Pedri is special. We all knew that for years since he burst onto the scene in 2020 for both Barcelona and the Spanish national team. But Pedri continues to amaze football fans around the world with his close control, vision, creativity, and ability to make a difference in the final third due to his technical quality and decision-making. The 20-year-old sees the game at a level that even players with 10 years more experience cannot. That’s what makes him one of the best overall players in LaLiga, whether he is starting in the midfield or in a more attacking position. Pedri has six goals, and while he has no assists, that is a matter of luck and of role. He has 1.7 key passes per game.
CM: Parejo (Villarreal)
One of the classiest players in LaLiga for ages, Dani Parejo is slowly but surely gaining more admirers around European football for his quality. Villarreal sits sixth in the table, but they still have hopes of European football, largely thanks to Parejo’s quality defending, reading of the game, tempo-setting, and brilliant passing. Parejo is averaging 1.4 key passes per game with a completion percentage hovering around 90. You get the feeling that he will be decisive to Villarreal’s European football push, too.
LW: Vinícius Jr. (Real Madrid)
‘Vini’ has been fantastic for Real, locking down the left flank game after game. Whether it’s providing width for Karim Benzema to flourish during the 2022 Champions League knockouts, or drifting narrower to link up with Rodrygo and Federico Valverde during the 22/23 La Liga, Vini has not missed a step, causing havoc for defences with his pace, vision, dangerous finish and of course, all the Brazilian sauce. Vini has 9 goals and 6 assists to his name in the league this season, which is somehow a drop-down from his half-season average of last season, which ended with him on 17 goals and 10 assists in the league but his overall game is too good and I would be shocked if he’s not in the team.
CF: Karim Benzema (Real Madrid)
This name needs no introduction. The 2022 Ballon d’Or winner has been in top form even after the injury he had in the second half of 2022 due to which he was ruled out of the FIFA WC. The 35-year-old is not stopping any soon and is competing with the best-attacking talents in the world and outperforming them. Benzema has played 19 games this season and has scored 14 goals and 3 assists and his hunger for scoring goals and his never give up attitude have been key to his success all these years.
ST: Antoine Griezmann (Atlético Madrid)
This guy is literally everywhere on the field. You’ll find him running all across the pitch, winning the ball, making crucial passes, assisting and even scoring goals. Antoine Griezmann has had a brilliant footballing season so far. From performing outstandingly well in the FIFA WC to delivering top-class football in the league. He has played 22 games for Atletico Madrid this season, and has already provided 11 goals and 8 assists. Forcing his way out of the Barca dumpster fire was crucial for the 31-year-old French international's mental health.
ST: Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona)
During the 2020/21 season, Lewandowski scored a remarkable 41 goals in just 29 appearances in the Bundesliga, breaking Gerd Müller’s record for most goals in a Bundesliga season which stood for 40 years. After exceptional spells at Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich, he joined Barcelona as one of the best strikers in the world. A hard worker with a strong focus, Lewandowski has unbelievable finishing accuracy and a strong football intelligence making him one of the most consistently efficient strikers in the world.
LaLiga TOTS Substitutes
LB: Alejandro Balde (Barcelona)
The season will end with Alejandro Balde consolidated as the new left-back of Barça. The 19-year-old has established himself with his great physique, but also as a proven ability to attack and Balde has pipped veteran Jordi Alba to the starting berth at left-back and has also featured at right-back. He showed he can be the perfect placement for the next 10 or 12 years and already has 5 assists to his name in 22 appearances.
CAM: Lucas Robertone (Almeria)
We rarely see players from sides who are battling against relegation unless they really stand out and one of these standout players this season is coming from Almeria in the name of Lucas Robertone. The Argentinian, who's a Velez Sarsfield academy player, is a big reason why Almeria is still three points ahead of the relegation zone and the midfielder scored one and assisted seven so far for his side.
RW: Rodrygo (Real Madrid)
The young exciting talent that Real Madrid would try to make the most of in the coming years is Rodrygo. At just 22, he is making an impact in one of the toughest leagues in the world. Real Madrid spent 45 million euros on this 18-year kid in 2019, and for sure he is worth every penny. Playing 19 games for Real so far, he has already scored 5 goals and has provided 7 assists. His hunger for goals is increasing every season, he has 45 shots on goal this season already compared to 34 shots in the entire last season.
ST: Iago Aspas (Celta)
We're now coming to a very familiar name when we're talking about the La Liga Team of the Season with Iago Aspas being someone who's a constant guest. Even though youngster Gabri Veiga is making the headlines this season with his outstanding performances we should not overlook Iago Aspas who, after a few weeks of goalless games, found his form just at the right time for Celta and is now at 12 goals and 3 assists, helping his side sitting in the midfield of the La Liga table atm instead battling against relegation.
LaLiga TOTS Honourable Mentions
CM: Gabri Veiga (Celta)
One of the breakout players in La Liga this season, Gabri Veiga has been excellent for Celta in 2022-23. A hugely exciting prospect, in 21 league games, he has scored six times and provided two assists for the Galician outfit and only Iago Aspas has better numbers at Celta this season. Veiga was the last Under-21 player Luis de La Fuente gave a debut to and he could be among the first to make his senior international debut under De la Fuente as he takes charge of La Roja.
ST: Enes Ünal (Getafe)
25-year-old Turkish striker Enes Ünal is enjoying another stellar season at La Liga’s Getafe since joining the Madrid-based side back in August 2020. Despite his side’s modest standings, Ünal has made his mark with lethality in front of the goal, scoring 13 goals and registering 3 assists in 29 La Liga matches. His goal tally puts him third in the La Liga top scorers list behind Real Madrid veteran Karim Benzema with 14 goals and Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski with 17.
RM: Samuel Chukwueze (Villarreal)
With 13 goals and 11 assists this year, Samuel Chukwueze is among a wave of Nigerian attacking talents blowing up in Europe this season. Chukwueze alongside Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman have held their own in two of Europe’s five major leagues this season while the likes of Gift Orban and Victor Boniface have caught the eye in the lower leagues. The Nigerian has been at Villarreal since 2017, growing and developing through the ranks from the youth set-up before making his first team debut in a 2-2 UEFA Europa League draw vs Rangers in September 2018 after which Javi Calleja who was Villarreal coach at the time described the then 19-year-old as “a player with a great future” who must keep working hard. He did exactly that and now has his breakout season, being a clutch player for the Submarinos.
CM: Mikel Merino (Real Sociedad)
Every diehard LaLiga fan knows how good Mikel Merino is, even though it seems like the majority of fans around Europe are still sleeping on the former Newcastle and Dortmund man. Merino has truly made a name for himself in San Sebastián. It’s hard to believe he is still only 26 with how amazing he is in midfield, both in terms of his end product with one goal and eight assists and in terms of his overall control of play. The Real Sociedad superstar – and yes, he is a superstar-level player despite being in a less-hyped position – excels at turning possession into productive possession. His quality has been essential to La Real’s success, as they sit third in the table.
RM: Isi Palazon (Rayo Vallecano)
Isi Palazon has been one of the most exciting players this season, the Rayo Vallecano star has become a cult hero in La Liga. The Rayo Vallecano winger has dazzled at times and has helped his side to reach the cusp of the European places. The 28-year-old continues to improve and has garnered a reputation for brilliant passes, beautiful goals and slipping away from his marker. Palazon will hope to help Rayo Vallecano achieve European football for next season, as the Madrid-based side looks to cap off an excellent season.
When is the LaLiga TOTS released for FIFA 23?
The LaLiga TOTS will be released on May 19th, 2023.
Do you agree with our LaLiga Team of the Season? Did we miss anyone? Let us know in the comments!
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