Who is Real Madrid’s Player of the Season so far?
FT Desk
- 26 Dec 2021 14:55 GMT
- 3 min read
We are only 18 to 19 games into the Primera Division season but it is already looking like Real Madrid’s title to lose.
The Blancos have dominated La Liga from the first day of the season and find themselves eight points clear at the top at Christmas.
But which players have stood out most for the runaway leaders? Here we rank Madrid’s three best performers of 2021-22 so far.
TRENDING
3. Eder Militao
There were a number of question marks about Real Madrid’s defence going into this season after they lost long-term stalwarts Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane in the summer to PSG and Man Utd, respectively.
However, these fears have proven to be unfounded as Madrid have conceded just 16 goals in 19 games in La Liga and only three in six in the Champions League.
Madrid’s main man has been Eder Militao, who has flourished after escaping from Ramos and Varane’s shadows. He has been the best defender in the whole of La Liga, with his physicality and aggressive nature shining through – not to mention a much-improved positional sense.
2. Vinicius Jr
Vinicius Junior had only scored eight goals in three seasons in La Liga before this campaign, with many people wondering whether the Brazilian would ever fulfil his potential.
In 2021-22, the 21-year-old has well and truly exploded to develop into one of the most exciting footballers in the world.
He has registered a mightily impressive 10 La Liga goals, with 12 goals and seven assists in all competitions.
The winger has been electrifying on the flank but has now added a final product to his game. His attitude has improved greatly after he was accused of “playing against us” by teammate Karim Benzema last season. Coach Carlo Ancelotti believes Vinicius Jr has the quality to win the Ballon d’Or in the future.
1. Karim Benzema
As has been the case ever since Cristiano Ronaldo left in 2018, Karim Benzema has been Real Madrid’s star man in 2021-22.
Despite recently turning 34, the veteran Frenchman is playing as well as he ever has done in his career.
He has 20 goals and seven assists in all competitions already and will break the 40-goal mark if he continues at this pace.
Benzema is comfortably the top scorer in La Liga with 15 goals, despite only one of his strikes being from the penalty spot. He is also second in the standings for assists in the Primera Division.
The former Lyon man is the complete package for club and country – and he also played a pivotal role in France winning the UEFA Nations League in October.
