The Spanish top-flight is living up to its reputation as one of Europe’s best leagues in terms excitement and entertainment levels. A reinvented Barcelona under the tutelage of Hansi Flick have taken La Liga by storm this season, establishing themselves as the team to beat.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid have endured a stuttering start to their title defence and are already playing catch-up behind their arch-rivals. Atletico Madrid and Villarreal have both enjoyed relatively decent starts as Osasuna continue to stake their claim among the big boys.
In this article, Soccernet.football takes a look at the top performing stars after thirteen rounds of La Liga action.
10. Ayoze Perez (Villarreal)
The Spanish attacker finds himself thriving at Villareal after joining from Real Betis during the summer transfer window. Perez already has 7 La Liga goals to his name from nine appearances so far, just two goals shy of his 9 goals tally from 31 games last season.
9. Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid)
Atleti’s talisman has been in decent form in the final third so far this season and while he ranks low on our list at this stage of the season, we expect the Frenchman to claim a higher spot for himself as the season progresses. Griezmann has registered 7 goal contributions so far as he continues to provide inspiration for Simeone’s men.
8. Inaki Williams (Athletic Club)
Surprisingly the only one of the famous Bilbao Williams brothers to make this list, Inaki has been instrumental for his team so far this season. Unfortunately, the Ghana international has suffered a hamstring injury that will keep him on the sidelines till December. Before his injury Inaki scored thrice and provided four assists.
7. Iago Aspas (Celta Vigo)
Aspas may be advancing in age, but the 37-year-old striker isn’t showing any signs of slowing down in La Liga this season. Celta find themselves struggling in the league but Aspas’ form and contributions in the final third provides some ray of hope for Claudio Giraldez’s side. The Spaniard has scored 4 goals and provided 3 assists so far.
6. Ante Budimir (Osasuna)
Osasuna have enjoyed a great start to their La Liga campaign and Croatian striker Budimir has been at the center of the action for Los Rojillos. The 33-year-old has notched 6 goals and 1 assist in 13 appearances so far this season.
5. Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid)
Mbappe arrived at the Santiago Bernabeu to much fanfare but his impact at the Spanish capital has been relatively underwhelming. The Frenchman has come under heavy criticism in Spain despite his registering 7 goal contributions at this stage of the season. Evidently Mbappe is yet to hit top-gear this season and fans worldwide will certainly be hoping the forward hits his strides sooner rather than later.
4. Lamine Yamal (Barcelona)
The teenage sensation, who burst onto the scene last term under Xavi Hernandez’s tutelage, has continued to develop at a rapid pace under new boss Hansi Flick. Yamal has established himself as a key asset for the Blaugrana and his 12 goal contributions so far underscores his importance to Flick’s resurgent Barcelona.
3. Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid)
Real Madrid’s star man from last season has maintained his importance in Carlo Ancelloti setup despite the arrival of Mbappe this summer. Vinicius has been without doubt Los Blancos’ best player this season and his 8 goals and 4 assists, the highest by any Real Madrid player this season, attests to the fact. The Spanish champions have many problems this season, but the 2024 Ballon d’Or ruuner-up certainly isn’t one.
2. Raphinha (Barcelona)
Perhaps the most impacted by Flick’s arrival, Raphinha seems to have received a new lease of life this season. The Brazilian has unarguably been one of the best wingers across Europe’s top five leagues this campaign. The former Leeds United forward has registered 7 goals and 6 assists so far and that tally is sure to increase as Barca continue their charge to reclaim La Liga glory.
1. Robert Lewandoski (Barcelona)
Lewandoski enjoyed his most prolific years at Bayern Munich under the tutelage of current Barcelona boss Flick, hence, it comes as little surprise that the veteran Polish striker is scoring for fun this season. The 36-year-old, having bagged 14 goals in 13 La Liga appearances, currently sits miles apart from the chasing pack in the race for this season’s Pichichi Trophy.
