It’s considered one of the most glamorous competitions in world football with only the English Premier League currently a legitimate rival.
But beyond all the glamour and high profile of La Liga, who are the real underrated players of the Spanish top flight?
Those who clearly deserve more credit and make their teams tick so they can deliver La Liga 2025 highlights; those performers whose consistent contributions often fly under the radar but are always appreciated by their team-mates, manager and supporters.
I am going to begin with a player who is more known about now than he used to be, helped by a summer move to the Spanish champions Barcelona.
The impact of goalkeeper Joan Garcia, however – a player few outside Spain had probably taken much notice of – is undeniable.
Put it this way, Espanyol would no longer be in the top flight but for his heroics last term: the most saves in La Liga, the best saves in La Liga and the most important saves in La Liga made him a custodian bound for big things.
It spoke volumes when Espanyol’s Sporting Director and manager publicly declared that a significant portion of surviving was down to this one player.
Barca certainly made sure he wasn’t going anywhere but Catalonia as he made the short move to further boost their SBOTOP La Liga 2025 betting odds.
Elsewhere, a player who has often gone under the radar is Celta Vigo full-back Oscar Mingueza.
Played on the right, the left, as a wing-back, in a four and in midfield, Mingueza has moved around at various times and not only has his versatility been key to his club, but it has even earned the odd call-up to the Spanish national team (obviously his displays have not been that underrated).
His attributes are more akin to an attacker than a defender and in 11 league displays so far this term, he has already managed a goal and two assists.
Another mid-table side with an impressive full-back is Andrei Ratiu at Rayo Vallecano.
Tall, quick and good on the ball, Football Espana named in their side of the season last term and said it was hard not to have a soft spot for a right-back that has a penchant for picking out the top corner.
In their words, Ratiu’s marauding has been crucial for Rayo this year and he has made a name for himself, both for club and country (he has been caped 35 times by Romania) with his speed and, on occasion, blue-dyed hair leading to him being nicknamed “Sonic”, inspired by Japanese character Sonic the Hedgehog.
It’s another defender next on my list and a player who has grown in stature to become the captain of Real Betis.
For me, Marc Bartra has been a stalwart of the club’s progress under someone I consider to be one of the most underrated managers in the game, Manuel Pellegrini.
Bartra’s influence has been clear and the astute Chilean (who won the Premier League title with Manchester City in 2014) has provided his charges confidence, guiding them into Europe five years in a row – watch out for them in the Europa League this term
My final pro – and I could have named more – can hardly be classed as unnoticed as he caught the eye with regular excellence for Villarreal and is now a regular in the starting line-up at Atletico Madrid.
Yet Alex Baena did not receive the credit he deserved last season when he was the most decisive midfielder with 10 assists and seven goals. It is to their credit that the club has continued to fare so well to date without him.
A muscle injury at the start of the season was a setback but now he is easing into the starting XI at his new club, hoping to show signs of the magic – his eye for angles and space is top drawer – that persuaded Los Rojiblancos to part with an initial €42 million (in fixed payments) this summer.
Apart from his debut game at Espanyol, Atletico have not yet lost a game in which Baena has started – including their last four in both La Liga and the Champions League.
That is a record he will want to continue and, as unsung he is to some, his best may be yet to come.
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