This archive report was first published on 20 July 2020.
Five Revelations of the Spanish Football Season ¶
Published on July 20, 2020
Real Madrid's 34th La Liga title owed much to their old guard, but Spanish football has witnessed a number of new players exploding onto the scene.
Here are five revelations from the season that caught the attention of football fans.
1. Martin Odegaard, Real Sociedad ¶
Real Sociedad's Norwegian midfielder Martin Odegaard has been a revelation this season, delivering consistent performances that earned him a recall to Real Madrid.
With four goals and five assists, Odegaard was instrumental in Real Sociedad's surge up the table, and his absence due to tendinitis coincided with the team's late dip.
At just 21 years old, Odegaard is coming good after being made a world sensation aged 16.
2. Lucas Ocampos, Sevilla ¶
Sevilla's Argentinian midfielder Lucas Ocampos has finally found his feet after hopping around five clubs in seven years.
With 14 goals in 32 games, Ocampos is not only Sevilla's top scorer but also in the top five in La Liga.
His running, power, and energy have helped Sevilla secure a place in the top four, and he has already been linked with another move.
3. Fede Valverde, Real Madrid ¶
Real Madrid's Uruguayan midfielder Federico Valverde was the catalyst for Madrid's recovery early in the season and a pivotal run in the middle.
Valverde injected energy and dynamism into a midfield that had become too one-paced and brought a directness that made Madrid's attack less predictable.
When Madrid failed to deliver Paul Pogba last summer, many thought Zinedine Zidane had been left short, but Valverde stepped up.
4. Ansu Fati, Barcelona ¶
It's been 11 months since Ansu Fati burst onto the scene by becoming the third youngest player to score in La Liga, before sending Spanish football into meltdown by scoring again, 111 seconds into his first start for Barcelona.
At 16 years and 304 days old, Fati was Barca's youngest ever scorer, and his dribbling, shooting, and nutmegging of opponents impressed fans and pundits alike.
Eight goals, three since the restart, and 25 league appearances is a remarkable return for a now-17-year-old, with a hugely exciting future.
5. Ferran Torres, Valencia ¶
Valencia's Spanish midfielder Ferran Torres has had a breakthrough campaign, making his La Liga debut in January 2018 but this has been a season to remember.
Lightning quick and with an end-product to match, Torres has long been attracting the interest of Europe's top clubs, which could result in a move unless he extends his current contract beyond next year.
His performances this season have done little to dampen enthusiasm around the 20-year-old, who has hit six goals in 43 games, including two in the Champions League.
