Balague’s La Liga awards

As the sun sets on another dramatic La Liga campaign, Sky Sports’ Spanish expert Guillem Balague hands out his season awards.

Barcelona claimed their 24th title with a 3-0 win at Granada on Saturday, pipping Real Madrid by one point, while Atletico Madrid and Villarreal made up the top four.

But in Balague’s eyes, who was the best player in the league, who is most-improved, and which team has flopped?

Best player – Luis Suarez

Not only for the 40 goals this season, but for the fact he turned up during Barcelona’s worst time. There were doubts around the club in late March, early April; physically they were not at their sharpest, the football they created was not causing much danger, and they actually lost three out of four La Liga games. In the last five games he scored 14 goals, and has also provided four assists.

While Barcelona have been struggling to create the football the club is used to, Suarez has helped them get the points needed.

This is a season where we’ve seen a different Lionel Messi, one that has dropped deeper and obviously helped Luis Suarez. He definitely was another big reason, along with Suarez, as to why Barca’s season got back on track.

Most-improved player – Antoine Griezmann

This was a year that consolidated what he had been building up to. Last season he didn’t have a guaranteed place in the line-up, but he’s the first name on the team sheet now.

He has done it in a way that keeps in line with Diego Simeone’s philosophy; he works hard without the ball, and with it he has been key in breaking up defences. He is on the verge of being in the top five players in the world.

He’s negotiating a new contract with Atletico Madrid, and although he has left the door open to other offers, I think his intention is to stay.

Most-improved team – Celta Vigo and Eibar

There are two; Eibar, who finished 14th with the help of Borja Baston, the striker on loan …

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