As we approach the end of the first part of the 2024-2025 season, Real Madrid is doing well. With Arda Güler, Kylian Mbappé, Vinícius Júnior, Jude Bellingham, and Antonio Rüdiger, Carlo Ancelotti’s team is having a solid season. The editorial team at Real Madrid has put together a Top 10 list of the best players of the season based on their contributions to the collective effort.
The greatest club in the world is still alive. Despite a difficult start to the season due to numerous injuries, Real Madrid is holding strong. Although the team’s collective performance was lacking since the UEFA Super Cup win against Atalanta Bergamasca last August, Carlo Ancelotti seems to have found the best way to get the team rolling. Indeed, after defeats to Liverpool at Anfield and Athletic Bilbao at San Mamés, Jude Bellingham, Dani Ceballos, and Kylian Mbappé have found better form.
In the last two matches, against Girona at the Montilivi Stadium (3-0 win) and Atalanta at the Gewiss Stadium in Bergamo during the sixth matchday of the Champions League (3-2 win), Real Madrid showed some excellent play. With the returns of Vinícius Júnior and Rodrygo Goes, both recently injured, things are looking much better. Before knowing how the rest of the season will unfold for the Madridistas, here is the ranking of the Top 10 best players of the season based on their contributions to the collective effort.
10 – Dani Ceballos
For the first time since his arrival at Real Madrid in 2017, the midfielder is impressing everyone. Taking advantage of Toni Kroos’s departure, Ceballos, who loves to monopolise the ball and deliver key passes, has been performing well. Although his profile has not been very prominent in the Madrid squad due to Kroos’s retirement, the 28-year-old has been crucial in the team’s build-up play in recent matches.
Whenever he’s on the pitch this season, Dani Ceballos is no longer hiding. With his passing and game intelligence, the former Arsenal player has changed his status. Now an important part of the team, he has convinced the management, who were considering letting him go in January or at the end of the season. Under contract until 2027, Ceballos looks set to play a major role at Real Madrid this season and beyond.
9 – Brahim Díaz and Eduardo Camavinga
The Spanish player remains one of the key elements of Carlo Ancelotti’s team. Despite inconsistent performances, Brahim Díaz almost always plays if he’s not injured. In Real’s recent matches, he showcased all his offensive qualities. Against Atalanta in the Champions League, the 25-year-old caused significant problems for defenders with his agility and technical skills. With his versatile profile, both in midfield and on the attack, Real Madrid can count themselves fortunate. With a bit more consistency, Díaz could be a real threat this season.
Still in ninth place is Eduardo Camavinga. Not exactly spared from injuries, the French midfielder shows plenty of promise when on the pitch. In his role as a defensive midfielder, he has overshadowed Aurélien Tchouaméni. Camavinga remains a key player for Carlo Ancelotti’s side. We look forward to him regaining perfect physical health.
8 – Luka Modrić
The oldest player in the Madrid squad still has plenty to give. Despite being 39 years old, the Croatian veteran continues to prove that he remains a key figure in the team. Like his recent assist to Kylian Mbappé in the league against Girona, Luka Modrić remains highly influential. When it’s time to restore order in the game, he’s the one who steps up. One of the few players who has stayed physically fit this season, the former Tottenham player remains one of the best Madridistas with solid performances.
7 – Arda Güler
The young Turkish prodigy is in seventh place in our Top 10 best Madrid players of the season. At just 19 years old, Arda Güler has been doing phenomenal things at Real Madrid. After a mixed start due to limited playing time, the attacking midfielder has regained his form. In recent matches, Güler has showcased plenty of quality. Not hesitating to take responsibility and show his personality, particularly with a brief altercation with Bellingham, the former Fenerbahçe player opened his goal-scoring account for the season against Girona.
As Marca recently reported, the Madrid coaching staff considers Güler to be the best player in terms of shot quality. Indeed, since the start of his Madrid adventure, the young prodigy rarely misses the target whenever he takes a shot. This is a significant asset for the Madrid squad.
6 – Thibaut Courtois
He could have been in the top 5 of this ranking without question. Undoubtedly, the best goalkeeper at Real Madrid, Thibaut Courtois continues to showcase all his class. In every match he plays, his numerous saves allow the team to stay in the game. In any case, the Belgian giant’s contribution is simply monstrous. Nothing more to say.
5 – Federico Valverde
The Uruguayan midfielder plays a pivotal role in the Madrid squad this season. Like in recent years, Valverde is the all-round man for the Real team. Always ready to give his all, the 26-year-old compensates for many weaknesses with his immense running volume. Capable of filling in on the right side of defence, where he has already played twice this season, the captain of the Uruguay national team is one of the best merengues of the season.
With his thunderous shots, he provides attacking options. He even scored a beautiful free-kick this season and put opposition goalkeepers under threat.
4 – Kylian Mbappé
This season’s star signing for the merengues, Kylian Mbappé is fulfilling his duties. Although his performances in big matches have been somewhat inconsistent since his arrival, the French striker plays a crucial role by scoring goals. In around 20 matches (22 to be precise) played in about four months, the Bondy native has scored 12 times, which represents a solid ratio. Named man of the match multiple times, Kylian has also started to show his true form in recent weeks.
With beautiful goals against Girona and Atalanta in December, the French player will add several more to his tally. More and more comfortable in his role as a number 9, Mbappé is clearly one of the best Madridistas this season. He is the current top scorer for the club and has been named man of the match several times.
3 – Antonio Rüdiger
Yes! Rüdiger is in the top 3 of the 10 best Real Madrid players this season. In a season marked by multiple injuries within the team, the German rock has always been there. Impeccable in defence, the former Chelsea player has saved Real Madrid from conceding goals on several occasions. Even when Éder Militão was present, it was Rüdiger who directed the defence. Now the only confirmed player to hold down the central defence, Antonio Rüdiger is guiding the young Raúl Asensio and Aurélien Tchouaméni alongside him.
Important in certain offensive phases, particularly on set pieces where he has already scored this season, Rüdiger is incredibly important for Real Madrid. Despite some foot pain and fatigue, he continues to sacrifice himself for the team.
2 – Vinícius Júnior
We cannot say this enough: Vinícius Júnior is in a class of his own. Very important in Carlo Ancelotti’s team last season, the young Brazilian winger continues to prove he is one of the best players in the world. Capable of changing the course of matches on his own, the Brazilian international remains the number one asset for Real Madrid in attack. With his devastating dribbles, movement on the pitch, and pinpoint crosses, he creates numerous goal-scoring opportunities.
Having come very close to the 2024 Ballon d’Or, Vini is not slowing down and continues to be decisive in every match.
1 – Jude Bellingham
What a player! Arriving at Real Madrid last season, Jude Bellingham has quickly risen through the ranks. In a team-leading role, the 21-year-old has left everyone speechless in every match. Capable of playing anywhere, in attack and even as a recovering midfielder, the English international is the player who dazzles the most this season with his generosity in effort. Freed by Carlo Ancelotti, who has put him in the best conditions on the pitch in recent weeks, Bellingham has become a nightmare for defenders.
With 5 assists and 6 goals, including 4 in the last 4 Real Madrid matches, the Madrid number 5 is establishing himself as the best player of the moment. With his contributions, Real Madrid can cause a lot of damage in the second half of the season.
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