With the 2010-2011 season coming to an end, and in Real Madrid’s case the only thing left to play for is the Pichichi trophy, let’s look at who the best players this season have been
Ricardo Carvalho
New coach Jose Mourinho seems to love Carvalho. He had him at Porto, took him to Chelsea, tried to take him to Inter but failed and now signed him at the Bernabeau. 8 million seemed a bit steep for a 32 year old, but he has proved everybody wrong and has certainly been the club’s best defender this season. Consistent at the back, usually alongside national team mate Pepe, Carvalho has also driven forward contributing with 3 goals as well. Surprised everybody due to his age in a league as fast as the la liga, Real have looked a little venerable every time he has been missing. The recent Champions League semi final was clear proof of that.
Mesut Ozil
Rivals Ricardo Carvalho very closely for the signing of the season tag. After an incredible world cup, the young German moved to the Spanish capital on a modest 16 million euros from Werder Bremen to cover up for Brazilian Kaka (who was injured for 4 months). Replacing outgoing Rafael van der Vaart, both on the pitch and with the number 23 shirt, the playmaker has been more than just a revelation this season. More than the 10 goals he’s scored, Ozil has assisted 22 times in all competitions of which 17 were in the league, second only to Leonel Messi. He has made Madridistas forget all about Wesley Sneijder and Kaka with his pace and accuracy in midfield. Just 22 years old, the German is going to be the center of this team for at least another decade.
Xabi Alonso
One of the 4 neo galaticos signed in the second coming of Florentino Perez’s reign. Alonso has shown the best form of his career in the middle of the park, usually alongside Sami Khedira or Lassana Diarra. Playing the deep playmaker’s role, Alonso has been probably the most accurate passer of the ball the club has seen in a long time. Inheriting Guti’s number 14 at the start of this season, Alonso has been what his predecessor could have had he been as consistent. The team seems to lack severely in creativity every time he is out of the team.
Iker Casillias
Can a Real Madrid list ever be complete without captain consistent? Following the copa del rey win this season, Casillias has now won every competition he has ever played in. The leading appearance maker for an active player in la liga, the Spanish captain has been the team’s savior for the last decade. Although the defense has improved leaps and bounds from the days of Pavon and Helguera, Casillias has still had to make important saves time and time again. It’s still hard to count the number of times he has single handedly saved the team this season.
But the winner…
Cristiano Ronaldo
Any player who’s scored 51 goals in a single season, with a game still to go is very hard to look beyond. The over a goal a game average and seven hatrics (2 of which were quadruples) might overshadow the 13 assists the Portugese has provided this season. Playing mainly on the left wing with Angel di Maria on the right, it seems to be a new position for the former Manchester United man is more used to being on the right or up front. Coach Jose Mourinho however doesn’t want to play him upfront because he believes he is better utilized in the middle of the park due to his ability on the ball. Scored the winner to end the club’s 18 year wait for the Copa del Rey, and about half a century times other than that, Ronaldo has shown just why the club paid a world record 80 million for him!
Ricardo Carvalho
New coach Jose Mourinho seems to love Carvalho. He had him at Porto, took him to Chelsea, tried to take him to Inter but failed and now signed him at the Bernabeau. 8 million seemed a bit steep for a 32 year old, but he has proved everybody wrong and has certainly been the club’s best defender this season. Consistent at the back, usually alongside national team mate Pepe, Carvalho has also driven forward contributing with 3 goals as well. Surprised everybody due to his age in a league as fast as the la liga, Real have looked a little venerable every time he has been missing. The recent Champions League semi final was clear proof of that.
Mesut Ozil
Rivals Ricardo Carvalho very closely for the signing of the season tag. After an incredible world cup, the young German moved to the Spanish capital on a modest 16 million euros from Werder Bremen to cover up for Brazilian Kaka (who was injured for 4 months). Replacing outgoing Rafael van der Vaart, both on the pitch and with the number 23 shirt, the playmaker has been more than just a revelation this season. More than the 10 goals he’s scored, Ozil has assisted 22 times in all competitions of which 17 were in the league, second only to Leonel Messi. He has made Madridistas forget all about Wesley Sneijder and Kaka with his pace and accuracy in midfield. Just 22 years old, the German is going to be the center of this team for at least another decade.
Xabi Alonso
One of the 4 neo galaticos signed in the second coming of Florentino Perez’s reign. Alonso has shown the best form of his career in the middle of the park, usually alongside Sami Khedira or Lassana Diarra. Playing the deep playmaker’s role, Alonso has been probably the most accurate passer of the ball the club has seen in a long time. Inheriting Guti’s number 14 at the start of this season, Alonso has been what his predecessor could have had he been as consistent. The team seems to lack severely in creativity every time he is out of the team.
Iker Casillias
Can a Real Madrid list ever be complete without captain consistent? Following the copa del rey win this season, Casillias has now won every competition he has ever played in. The leading appearance maker for an active player in la liga, the Spanish captain has been the team’s savior for the last decade. Although the defense has improved leaps and bounds from the days of Pavon and Helguera, Casillias has still had to make important saves time and time again. It’s still hard to count the number of times he has single handedly saved the team this season.
But the winner…
Cristiano Ronaldo
Any player who’s scored 51 goals in a single season, with a game still to go is very hard to look beyond. The over a goal a game average and seven hatrics (2 of which were quadruples) might overshadow the 13 assists the Portugese has provided this season. Playing mainly on the left wing with Angel di Maria on the right, it seems to be a new position for the former Manchester United man is more used to being on the right or up front. Coach Jose Mourinho however doesn’t want to play him upfront because he believes he is better utilized in the middle of the park due to his ability on the ball. Scored the winner to end the club’s 18 year wait for the Copa del Rey, and about half a century times other than that, Ronaldo has shown just why the club paid a world record 80 million for him!
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