Each week, Sport360 will be bring you the best five players from the past week’s La Liga matches, as chosen by you the supporters through our ValoraFutbol fan ratings tool.
YOU have direct influence on who appears in each Top Five so be sure to rate each weekend.
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1) GARETH BALE (REAL MADRID) – 8.80
It is hardly a surprise that the Welsh wizard has topped this week’s ratings. The Real Madrid star hammered home four goals for Los Blancos in Sunday’s remarkable 10-2 thrashing of Rayo Vallecano to send Rafael Benitez’s men into the winter break with some confidence, following a turbulent period at the Santiago Bernabeu. Bale has now scored six goals in his last four matches and 10 in total so far this season.
The former Tottenham man showed his prowess in the air with an equalising header in the first-half before the 26-year-old displayed a sharp turn of pace to race through and make it 4-2. Cristiano Ronaldo put Bale’s hat-trick goal on a plate with a precision pass before he then made it eight for Real, capitilising on a fortunate deflection back to him to tuck the ball home.
2) KARIM BENZEMA (REAL MADRID) – 8.76
The French forward only finished 0.4 points behind his team-mate but is deservedly in second place after his clinical hat-trick in the Spanish capital. Benzema was most impressive, scoring early in the second-half and netting Madrid’s last two goals of their 10-star haul through his predatory positional play and instinct in front of goal. The 28-year-old has had his critics in recent times but is a vital component of Benitez’s side and his goals and performances complement the superpowers of Bale and obviously Ronaldo.
3) DENIS SUAREZ (VILLARREAL) – 8.28
Despite being only 21-years of age, Suarez has huge potential and has settled into Yellow Submarine life this season, having previously been a spare part at the likes of Manchester City and Barcelona. Suarez, who operates behind the striker in a free attacking role, helped back-up his team’s impressive victory over Real Madrid with a dominant away win at Real Sociedad. Suarez netted both goals in the 2-0 success, his first – a shot from outside the box – before he wrapped up the three points with a cool finish late on. The Spaniard will be pushing for full international honours next year and is likely again to attract the attention of European football’s big boys.
4) FELIPE CAICEDO (ESPANYOL) – 7.81
The Ecuador striker has been at the heart of just about everything for the Catalan-based club this season and he netted a crucial winner in the tense 1-0 home victory over Las Palmas. With pace, power and strength at his disposal, the former Manchester City and Al Jazira forward showed his clinical touch in goal. Caicedo’s goals and presence up top is so important for Espanyol if the club are to stay away from trouble and nestle safely in mid-table in La Liga.
5) JOAO CANCELO (VALENCIA) – 7.81
The Valencia right-back-turned-winger is level in fourth place with Caicedo and must be relishing life under Gary Neville at the Mestalla. Despite the 2-2 home draw with Getafe, the 21-year-old has been given license to move up the pitch and is clearly learning from the new coaching set-up. Cancelo assisted Paco Alcacer for the club’s first goal of the match and was dangerous throughout on the right flank. Aged just 21, the former Benfica star is starting to prove his worth in Spain.
