LaLiga 2025/26 Fan Awards: Breakthroughs, Letdowns & Legends

Fans have spoken. Discover the top players, surprise stars, and shocking flops of the LaLiga 2025/26 season in this unique, SEO-optimized season review.

A Season That Defied Expectations

The 2025/26 LaLiga season wasn’t just about goals or trophies—it was about stories. New stars rose, legends struggled, and fans across the globe tuned in week after week, emotionally invested in every nutmeg, VAR call, and stoppage-time winner.

But numbers only tell part of the story.

So, we turned to the most passionate judges out there: the fans. Thousands voted, commented, and debated online. The result? A refreshingly raw look at who delivered, who disappeared, and who unexpectedly took over the spotlight this season.

Let’s dive into the LaLiga 2025/26 fan awards—unfiltered, fan-driven, and anything but predictable.

🧤 Best Goalkeeper: Joan García (Espanyol)

Forget the big clubs. This year’s goalkeeping hero came from the shadows. Joan García, just 23, was a wall for newly promoted Espanyol. With crucial saves and ice-cold composure under pressure, he kept his team above the drop zone when everyone expected them to fold.

“Without Joan, we’re back in Segunda. Simple as that,” said one Espanyol supporter on X (formerly Twitter).

🧱 Best Defender: Íñigo Martínez (FC Barcelona)

Barcelona had a defensive rebirth under Hansi Flick, and Íñigo Martínez was its heart. Calm, smart, and no-nonsense, he led the backline with a maturity fans fell in love with. While flashy fullbacks got more screen time, Martínez quietly delivered week after week.

🎩 Best Midfielder: Pedri (FC Barcelona)

Let’s not overthink it. When Pedri plays, Barcelona dances. Injuries have slowed him down in past seasons, but in 2024/25, he was finally back to his best. His ball control? Silky. Vision? Next level. Fans voted him their top midfielder—and honestly, it wasn’t close.

🚀 Best Winger: Lamine Yamal (FC Barcelona)

Seventeen years old and already giving LaLiga defenders nightmares. Lamine Yamal didn’t just break into the first team—he took over. From curling screamers to assist-after-assist, he was a walking highlight reel.

Expectations were high. Somehow, he beat them.

🎯 Best Forward: Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid)

You’d expect a debut season in Spain to be an adjustment year. Not for Mbappé. The French superstar scored goals like he’d been in LaLiga forever. With 29 league goals and countless clutch moments, he ran away with the Pichichi—and the hearts of Madridistas.

🧠 Best Coach: Hans-Dieter Flick (FC Barcelona)

Plenty doubted the former Bayern boss when he arrived at the Camp Nou. But Flick didn’t just win matches—he restored Barcelona’s identity. He blended youth and experience to win a domestic treble, and fans gave him a well-earned standing ovation in this vote.

🔥 Breakthrough Player of the Year: Raúl Asencio (Real Madrid)

It’s rare for a defender to win this. But Raúl Asencio made an undeniable impact on Madrid’s backline. Calm under pressure, physical in duels, and smart in buildup, he looked more like a seasoned veteran than a breakout star.

🧩 Surprise Team of the Season: Rayo Vallecano

Rayo Vallecano didn’t just survive—they thrived. With a top-seven finish and a ticket to the UEFA Conference League, they became the neutral fan’s favorite story. Their pressing style, fearless attitude, and home fortress made them a nightmare to play against.

“We weren’t built to win—we were built to fight. And we fought hard,” said their manager post-match in Week 35.

💔 Flop of the Year: Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid)

This might hurt for some fans—but football can be brutal. Jude Bellingham, who exploded onto the LaLiga scene last year, simply didn’t hit the same levels in 2025/26.

Whether it was tactical shifts, injury setbacks, or just a dip in form, fans noticed—and they were vocal about it.

🤯 Biggest Letdown: Real Madrid

With the arrivals of Mbappé, Davies, and more, Madrid was expected to bulldoze the league. Instead? Second place. Knocked out early in Europe. Flick’s Barcelona outclassed them on multiple occasions, and for many fans, that stung.

🏆 Fan-Voted Team of the Season (4-3-3 Formation)

GK: Joan García (Espanyol)
DEF: Davies (Real Madrid), Martínez (Barcelona), Asencio (Madrid), Nahuel Molina (Atlético)
MID: Pedri (Barcelona), De Jong (Barcelona), Brais Méndez (Sociedad)
FWD: Yamal (Barcelona), Mbappé (Madrid), Nico Williams (Bilbao)

This team was built from thousands of fan votes and includes rising stars and regular heroes alike.

🎬 Honorable Mention

Yuri Berchiche (Athletic Bilbao): One of the most consistent fullbacks this season.

Takefusa Kubo (Real Sociedad): Still electric, still growing.

Paco López (Rayo): The mastermind behind Rayo’s fairytale season.

Conclusion: This Was the Season of Shift

The LaLiga 2025/26 season wasn’t just about records—it was about new narratives.

Fans crowned new heroes, questioned old ones, and witnessed tactical revolutions unfold. For Barcelona, it was redemption. For Real Madrid, a reality check. For clubs like Rayo and Espanyol, it was about proving that grit still matters. Read More>>>>>>

What made this season truly special was that it never stuck to the script.

And if this is the future of LaLiga… we’re all in for one heck of a ride.

✅

Which pick do you agree with—or totally disagree with?
Drop your own LaLiga team of the season in the comments. Let’s get that football debate rolling. And don’t forget to share this with your football crew who still thinks the Premier League is more exciting 😉