While Real Madrid’s 2019-20 LaLiga Santander title success was a real team effort, here are five players who have stood out for their individual contributions over the course of the campaign…
Sergio Ramos
Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos has led his side with typical character and energy all through the season. He has now won his fifth LaLiga Santander trophy (and lifted his second as captain). Ramos has been part of the division’s stingiest back four all season. With he and long-term partner Raphael Varane complementing each other perfectly at the centre of the defence.
Ramos has also contributed at the other end of the pitch. His ability to cooly convert from the penalty spot during the last few weeks of the season was crucial. His career-best 10 goals have also helped him become LaLiga’s top-scoring defender of all time. With his current total at 71 across his years at Madrid and first club Sevilla FC.
Karim Benzema
Karim Benzema has been Madrid’s best attacker over the season. Benzema’s 21 LaLiga goals are more than Eden Hazard, Gareth Bale (I don’t know if we should even count him), Luka Jovic, Marco Asensio, James Rodríguez, Lucas Vazquez, Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo combined. He has produced all kinds of goals – towering headers, close-range finishes, accurate volleys, a long-range screamer, calmly taken one-on-ones against the keeper and a couple of penalties.
Many have been vital strikes too – such as the winners in tight games against other top sides Atletico Madrid and Sevilla FC. Benzema’s eight assists have also been crucial. Meanwhile, his durability has allowed him to play more minutes in LaLiga this season than any Madrid player.
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Thibaut Courtois
Thibaut Courtois recovered from an uncertain start to the 2019-20 season. He brought a level of confidence and calm which flowed throughout the team. With just 20 goals conceded in their 34 games played -there is still one more LaLiga game-, Courtois has become the first Madrid keeper since Iker Casillas back in 2007-08 to win the ‘Zamora’ trophy. An accolade for LaLiga’s best goalkeeper.
Five consecutive clean sheets during the post-COVID 19 lockdown was especially key to Madrid overhauling FC Barcelona over the final weeks. Courtois also made big saves in important games through the season. Such as the goalless draw at his former club Atletico Madrid in September. And the 2-0 El Clásico victory over Barça in February. He even contributed in the opposition area – winning a header at a corner in the Valencia CF penalty in December, leading directly to Benzema’s crucial equalising goal.
Casemiro
Also key to Madrid’s rock-solid core this season has been holding midfielder Casemiro. His physicality and reading of the game have helped protect his defence. Casemiro stats show what he has excelled in. Among all LaLiga players in 2019-20, he sits second in tackles per game, third in interceptions and third in fouls committed, while no midfielder has made more clearances all season. Meanwhile, his four LaLiga goals have all been decisive victories.
Opposition fans and coaches may have been frustrated by his ability to show up in the right place at the right time to thwart their attacks.
Fede Valverde
2019-20 also saw the emergence of a young midfielder Fede Valverde. Valverde’s energy and athleticism helped him break into the team. Where his range of passing and ability on the ball also soon become clear. His coming out party came in a man of the match performance in a 4-2 victory over Granada CF in October. With local pundits comparing his ‘box to box’ style to international figures Paul Pogba and Steven Gerrard. Already capped 20 times at senior level by Uruguay, his own confidence levels also rose through the campaign.
Valverde’s goals came in LaLiga games against SD Eibar and Real Sociedad. His versatility has also been very useful to Zidane. He has been moved between different roles in central, right and attacking midfield during the accelerated end of season programme.
