The Liga BBVA’s top performers in May

The conclusion to the Liga BBVA season brought a month of May featuring a host of outstanding individual performances to earn spots in the ideal XI chosen by the writers at LFP.es.

In goal

Diego Alves proved one of the most consistent goalkeepers of the season, and further underlined that over the past month. There can be no doubt that the Valencia CF custodian’s stand-out display came in his side’s meeting with Real Madrid, a match in which he produced a string of great saves and was crucial towards los che coming away from the Santiago Bernabéu with a point.

The defence

Alberto Lopo lines up at the back, the RC Deportivo centre-half having enjoyed a vital role in his team’s successful survival bid. Dependable in defence, the Catalan was also pivotal in attack, scoring twice throughout the month. Next to Lopo at the heart of the backline is Nicolás Otamendi. The Argentinian has been a regular in the all-star XI this year, his ability to chip in with goals also making him a threat to opposition defences.

At right-back is Dani Alves, whose forward surges up the right flank were key for FC Barcelona as he finished off the campaign in great form. He is picked for the ideal line-up for the second month in a row. A fellow Brazilian is on the left of defence, Marcelo Vieira again included among the month’s best performers, having previously made the LFP.es team for March.

The midfield

Taking his place in the middle of the park is Vicente Iborra. The Sevilla FC central midfielder has been a cornerstone of the Andalusians’ team and, while attacking the opposition goalmouth is not his chief mission, May saw the man from the Community of Valencia score one versus Real Madrid and a brace against UD Almería.  

For the second consecutive month, there’s room for Sofiane Feghouli in the ideal line-up. The Algerian’s directness and ability to get himself into scoring positions in the box made him a fundamental player for Valencia. The winger got his side’s second equaliser against Almería on the final day.

The midfield three is rounded off by Thomas Partey. The Ghanaian was Almería’s outstanding individual and even managed to find the net once each against Málaga CF and Valencia.

The attack

The forward line is formed by three footballers who performed fantastically in May. First we have Leo Messi, who has been an ever-present in this XI since November and enjoyed a magnificent end to the Liga BBVA campaign. Five goals, including a crunch strike against Atlético Madrid, ensure his continued presence among the pick of the bunch.

Alongside him is Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese notched up three hat-tricks during the month, against Sevilla, Valencia and RCD Espanyol, in addition to hitting a double at home to Getafe CF on the last matchday. These great individual showings also saw him secure the ‘Pichichi’ trophy as the division’s highest scorer.

And the month’s top team is completed by Youssef El Arabi. The Moroccan was a key figure for Granada CF, scoring four times in the three games won by José Ramón Sandoval’s men – goals that had a hand in ensuring the Andalusian club managed to stay up.