Griezmann leads La Liga Team of the Season dominated by champions Barcelona
The 2022/23 La Liga season drew to a close on Sunday with Real Valladolid joining Elche and Espanyol in relegation to the Segunda following a tense final day at the bottom. At the other end of the table, champions Barcelona rounded off their campaign with a 2-1 loss to Celta Vigo, while Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid confirmed respective second and third-placed finishes.
The top three make up the bulk of the La Liga team of the season, while there is also room for stars from Cadiz and Celta Vigo in the XI.
Jeremias Ledesma (Cadiz) - 7.03
Cadiz beat the drop by two points on the final day of the La Liga season with a 1-1 draw with already-relegated Elche enough to consolidate their top-flight spot. Jeremias Ledesma was key in Cadiz staving off relegation having earned a WhoScored rating of 7.03. The Argentine kept 12 clean sheets, an impressive feat for a side battling the drop, and made the third most saves (131) to feature.
Jules Kounde (Barcelona) - 6.97
The first of four representatives for La Liga champions Barcelona, Jules Kounde features at right-back having excelled in his debut season at Camp Nou following his summer arrival from Sevilla. The 24-year-old made the sixth most passes per game (63.9) in Spain's top tier, while additional returns of three assists and one goal saw the Frenchman land a WhoScored rating of 6.97.
Eder Militao (Real Madrid) - 7.03
The first of three Real Madrid players in the side, Eder Militao enjoyed a notable 2022/23 La Liga campaign, as noted by a WhoScored rating of 7.03. A real threat from set-pieces, the Brazilian scored more goals (5) than any other centre-back in Spain's top tier this term, while three clearances per game was also a respectable return for the Los Blancos star.
Jose Gimenez (Atletico Madrid) - 6.96
It's an all-South American centre-back partnership in the La Liga team of the season as Uruguay international Jose Gimenez partners Militao in defence. The 28-year-old was so often in the right place at the right time to alleviate pressure on the Atleti goal, with 4.8 clearances per game ranking fourth in La Liga, helping Gimenez to a WhoScored rating of 6.96 in the process.
Javi Galan (Celta Vigo) - 6.98
The second relegation-threatened player in the side rounds off the defence. Celta Vigo confirmed their safety on the final day of the season and while Gabri Veiga was the standout performer for Os Celestes, Javi Galan quietly went about his business at left-back. One of Galan's key traits is his willingness to get upfield to stretch opponents, and again didn't need a second invitation to charge forward in possession having completed more dribbles (72) than any other defender to land a WhoScored rating of 6.98.
Occupying the right wing spot is Real Madrid star Rodrygo. The 22-year-old has so often played a bit-part role for Los Blancos, but he's now proving a key man for the Spanish powerhouse, and that is reflected by his WhoScored rating of 7.26. The 22-year-old scored nine times and provided eight assists, while 81 dribbles was the fifth most in the division.
Frenkie de Jong (Barcelona) - 7.15
There is an all-Barcelona central midfield partnership in the La Liga team of the season with Frenkie de Jong key in the Blaugrana's title triumph. The Dutchman finished the campaign having averaged the second most passes per game (68.4) and returned the ninth best pass success rate (91.4%) to contribute towards his inclusion with a WhoScored rating of 7.15.
Pedri partners De Jong in the middle of the park having earned a WhoScored rating of 7.20 this season. The Spain star scored six league goals in 2022/23 and routinely sought to set Barcelona on the front foot having finished the campaign with 4.3 accurate long balls, that ranking sixth of all outfield players.
Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid) - 7.35
The third and final Real Madrid player in the side completes the midfield. Vinicius Junior enjoyed a stunning season for Los Blancos as the Brazilian scored 10 times and provided an additional nine assists, all the while ranking first for dribbles (112) and sixth for key passes (64) to nail down the left flank spot with a WhoScored rating of 7.35.
Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid) - 7.69
With a WhoScored rating of 7.69, Atletico Madrid star Antoine Griezmann is the La Liga player of the season. The Frenchman was the only player to register double figures for both goals (15) and assists (16) in Spain's top tier this term, the latter of which came from 84 key passes, that ranking top. Griezmann also won the WhoScored man of the match award at least six more times (13) than any other player to cap a wonderful campaign for the 32-year-old.
Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona) - 7.49
The winner of the Pichichi award partners Griezmann on the frontline. Robert Lewandowski enjoyed an excellent debut campaign with Barcelona having scored more goals (23) than any other player in La Liga. Seven assists was enough to rank fifth in the division, while only Griezmann won more man of the match awards than the Polish hitman (7). As such, Lewandowski is good value for his inclusion with a WhoScored rating of 7.49.
