To begin with, how do you narrow down the list of the leagues with the most talent in the globe to just 10? How to choose between players of different positions is even more challenging. How does one compare Gerard Piqué to Cristiano Ronaldo or Iker Casillas to Leo Messi? Having stated that we have chosen to accept the challenge based on the following assumption. If every team in the league was drafted for only one season, from beginning to end. Find the list of the Top 10 La Liga Players of All Time below.
Top 10 La Liga Players of All Time
Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid)
The archetype of the contemporary defender is Ramos. He can dominate at both ends of the play since he is quicker and more technically skilled than most opposition wingers and physically stronger than most opposition strikers. The Spanish international can play full-back or center-back with ease. His best position is arguably out wide where he can unleash his attacking instincts. Additionally, the team is less vulnerable to the infrequent instances of poor discipline or misread plays that do occur. Ramos was so good as a youth that, at the age of 19. Madrid paid Sevilla €27 million for his services. In the five years that have passed since then, Ramos has led his team to league crowns. He has played a significant role in both of Spain’s recent international victories.
Kaka (Real Madrid)
It is almost unbelievable that Kaka, who won the Ballon d’Or is only able to make it into the top 10. The La Liga is so full of quality that Kaka may be lucky to be ranked this high. He was unquestionably one of the most talented players in the world. The Brazilian sensation has struggled to consistently display his talent since coming to Madrid. Positively, Kaka is still a lot of work ahead of him as a playmaker. Talented players don’t become bad players suddenly. Kaka is a delight to watch when he’s playing at his best. His touch, grace, and dribbling prowess give the impression that he’s just gliding over the field.
Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid)
Alonso’s ability to locate teammates with the ball has become an art form. Few players in the world of football can equal his passing range. Alonso is the team’s main contributor, even with the flashier and more visually appealing play of his more talented teammates, such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Gonzalo Higuain at Madrid and Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres while at Liverpool. Ask anyone at Liverpool about their thoughts on Alonso. Since leaving to join Madrid for €30 million in 2009, he has proven to be irreplaceable.
Alonso plays the role of a deep-lying center midfielder through whom everything passes. After the defenders give him the ball, he uses his deft passing to start the attacking maneuvers. Alonso’s goal totals may be low for a player of his caliber, but his play is excellent. Alonso was a key member of the Spanish team as well. When he and Xavi play together in midfield. The Spanish had two of the world’s best passers on their team.
Iker Casillas (Real Madrid)
It was evident from the moment Casillas made his debut at the age of 17 that he was destined for greatness. He has established himself as one of the world’s best keepers during his career. During the “Galactico” era in the early 2010s, when the team’s star attackers made defense look practically pointless, Casillas made a name for himself in the Madrid lineup. Due to Casillas’ versatility as a goalkeeper and his ability to stop shots, the club frequently looked to him for help every week. He was eventually acknowledged as the team’s most important player.
Casillas succeeded Raul as Madrid’s captain and led Spain to victory in both the European Championship and the World Cup. It is extremely feasible for Casillas to end his career having achieved all of his records in terms of appearances, major domestic, European, and international honors, and recognition as perhaps the greatest keeper in history. He is that talented.
David Villa (Barcelona)
You could hardly find a better striker in world football during his career. Villa’s skill level is such that four goals in ten competitive games (with an incredible nine shots on goal) are considered a dismal run, yet we almost feel entitled to demand more from him.
He is the world’s best finisher and possesses exceptional technical skills. He also moves brilliantly and has quick feet. At the height of his abilities, the 28-year-old poses a terrifying threat to any defense. Villa essentially promises a minimum of 20 goals every season. Villa will close his career as one of La Liga’s all-time leading scorers since he plays for this Barca club, He was the beneficiary of several opportunities in the majority of his games. Remarkably, for someone who only made his international debut relatively late, he is already Spain’s all-time best goalscorer.
Xavi (Barcelona)
The driving force behind everything admirable about FC Barcelona’s and the Spanish national team’s football programs is Xavi Hernandez. The Barcelona star has been a constant in the team since his debut. He won every trophy possible on the national and international scene. Xavi holds the record for second most appearances made by a Barcelona player. He is certain to go down as the best midfielder in club history.
Xavi is the maestro of the deep-lying playmaker role. Others such as Andrea Pirlo, Xabi Alonso, and Cesc Fabregas, execute it well. It’s no accident that Barca and Spain played twice as many passes and possessed the ball more than most of the teams. Xavi was the focal point of everything and rarely threw the ball away. Xavi topped La Liga in assists and occasionally scores important goals from a distance.
Andres Iniesta (Barcelona)
Frank Riijkard summed up Iniesta’s style of play brilliantly when he observed that seeing him play passes was like “watching someone hand out sweets.” Iniesta mixes incredible skill with modesty and simplicity making his football enjoyable to watch. For good reason, Barca supporters have dubbed Iniesta the “anti-galactico”—he lets his game speak for itself, lacking the ostentatiousness and self-indulgence of some of his more ostentatious colleagues.
Since he arrived in Barca’s first team in 2004, Iniesta has been a vital member of the team, especially in the last three years, when his consistent excellence has allowed the club to part with superstars like Deco and Ronaldinho with little regret. Iniesta has flourished under Pep Guardiola and established himself as one of the world’s best players in the national, European, and international arenas.
Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid)
Although Ronaldo dislikes placing second in anything, it is quite an accomplishment to be ranked among La Liga’s top players. The Portuguese winger is incredibly talented in practically every aspect of the game and has been among the best players in the world for several years. Ronaldo is a master goal scorer and one of the best dribblers in the world because of his exceptional combination of strength, speed, and technical skill. Over the previous three seasons, he has scored 26, 42, and 33 goals across all competitions. This season, he has already scored 10 goals in eight La Liga games.
Though it may still be true that Ronaldo is still criticized in some circles for being excessively selfish, he is undoubtedly less wasteful and self-indulgent now than he was when he was younger. Given the limited number of players who can do what Ronaldo can with the ball, one could accept him for occasionally wanting to retain it alone. However, over time, he has learned to use his skills for the benefit of the team, and this season appears to be better than ever. He just misses out on our list of the Top 10 La Liga Players of All Time.
Leo Messi (Barcelona)
This was an easy decision to make because Lionel Messi, who is regarded as the greatest player in the world, has accomplished more in his short career than most players have. He is only 23 years old. Messi is truly unparalleled in his ability to combine speed, technique, and vision, which is why he has earned this recognition. He is arguably among La Liga’s best three passers, dribblers, and finishers. As he nearly did last year (first in goals with 34, second in assists with 10), it would not be surprising to see Messi lead the league in both goals and assists this season.
But statistics aren’t important here—pure quality is. On a football field, nothing is more impressive than witnessing the most potent offensive team in the world embark on yet another incredible run. It is almost impossible to see Messi showcasing his incredible skills somewhere else, so Barca supporters can only hope he stays committed to playing for the Catalan club for the rest of his career. He tops our list of the Top 10 La Liga Players of All Time.
For more football features, click here
