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...
Compared to the four who made the cut, the other four who missed out were a bit unlucky.
They were Peña and Márquez, along with Real Madrid's Helguera and Cicinho.
Cicinho, in particular, missed many matches after a serious injury late in the season—otherwise, Dani Alves wouldn't have taken his spot.
The competition for La Liga's Best Midfielders was even fiercer.
After all, there were only three midfield positions available.
And honestly, you could pick any of the players who missed out and call them one of the season's best midfielders—no one would argue.
Beckham!
Deco!
Juan Román Riquelme!
Albelda!
Guti!
Andrés Iniesta!
In addition, Barcelona's Xavi suffered a serious injury last December—
a torn ligament in his left knee—that sidelined him for five months.
If not for that, he would have been on the list as well.
The three midfielders who ultimately made the Best XI were Ronaldinho, Zidane, and Figo.
Three names that no one could possibly dispute.
Finally, the La Liga Best Forward trio emerged without question.
Though Torres continued his strong form this season,
and youngsters Messi and Robinho both claimed the Best Newcomer award,
while Ronaldo and Raúl, despite underwhelming stats, remained respected veterans with solid team performances—
none of them made the final cut.
Because Su Hang, Eto'o, and Villa's numbers this year were simply crushing!
With that, only one major La Liga award remained uncertain—
the La Liga Player of the Season!
Several players were nominated: Eto'o, Zidane, Figo, Villa, and others.
In any other season, each of them might have had a real shot.
But this year was different.
Everyone knew there were really only two contenders for the title.
One was Ronaldinho—the footballing genius who scored 17 goals and provided 18 assists,
leading Barcelona's resurgence and guiding them to the Champions League final,
the King of the Blaugrana who ruled world football.
The other was Su Hang—the Real Madrid captain who scored 26 goals and 10 assists,
leading his team to win the Supercopa de España, the Copa del Rey, the La Liga title,
and a spot in the Champions League final.
Ronaldinho's influence as the core of his team was undeniable.
But Su Hang's achievements and honors were simply overwhelming.
Marca: "No one doubts Ronaldinho's brilliance, but judging by this season alone, Su Hang is without question La Liga's best!"
AS: "This was Su Hang's first full season as a starter. Look at any other player's debut season in La Liga—even the superstars didn't shine like Su Hang did!"
Sky Sports: "Su Hang created 36 goals this season, while Ronaldinho created 35. That one-goal difference is enough to make Su Hang the MVP!"
Bild: "As a newcomer and a new captain, Su Hang led his team to three trophies in his first year! Ronaldinho may be FIFA's World Player of the Year, but since joining Barcelona, he hasn't brought them as many titles as Su Hang did for Real Madrid."
Kicker: "Ronaldinho may be the best in the world, but expectations for him are higher. Judging by overall performance, Su Hang might well be the best player in all of Europe this season!"
Even Barcelona's own media admitted that Ronaldinho might lose out.
Mundo Deportivo: "If the La Liga MVP was decided after the Champions League final, Ronaldinho would be the obvious winner!"
Sport: "Ronaldinho suffers from Barcelona's lack of overall strength. Look at Real Madrid's squad—their lineup is simply too star-studded."
"The team may have lost, but Ronaldinho didn't!"
"If Barcelona wins the Champions League, the football genius will reclaim everything!"
Ultimately, after multiple rounds of voting, the Spanish Football Association chose this season's La Liga Player of the Year through a fair, transparent process.
As the saying goes, Ronaldinho ruled world football—
but Su Hang ruled Ronaldinho!
Su Hang was crowned the 2005–2006 La Liga Player of the Season!
This silenced all the criticism he had faced during the final rounds of the league when his performance dipped due to exhaustion.
He had carried the team the entire season—
so what was wrong with taking it easy for the last few matches?
Better that than those who slacked off all year and only showed up occasionally to take the credit!
Su Hang: Uh... I honestly don't know whether to laugh or cry right now.
All of Madrid erupted in celebration.
Barcelona, on the other hand, fell into a gloomy silence.
Everyone knew it—this season's Galácticos were unstoppable.
Barcelona's only hope of redemption now was... to win the Champions League!
...
"Ding! Congratulations on earning your first major individual honor—La Liga Player of the Year. Though you and Eto'o both share the Golden Boot, even he admits you were the better player this season."
"Eto'o accepts defeat—he's lost to your 'Cheetah Instinct.'"
Eto'o: Wait, when the hell did we agree to bet on this?!
"Eto'o's Cheetah Instinct: Superstar-level skill. Before Benzema, Eto'o was the striker that goalkeepers and defenders feared most. He could always seize a fleeting chance, turning a goalkeeper's mistake into a goal."
"Your Offensive Awareness, Explosiveness, Speed, Strength, and Agility have all improved."
"When in the penalty area, your tackling and interception abilities receive a minor boost."
"When facing the goalkeeper one-on-one, your tackling and interception abilities receive a major boost."
"After completing a tackle in the attacking third, the 'Hunting Moment' special effect activates, increasing your finishing ability."
Whoa!
This...
Could this be the legendary "Poacher's Instinct"?
Eto'o's ability to steal the ball was, honestly, top-class.
That iconic moment when he exchanged a smile with Buffon remains a classic—
a high-level duel between the ultimate poacher and the world's best goalkeeper.
This new skill greatly boosted Su Hang's ability to win the ball back high up the pitch and finish immediately afterward.
The enhancement effects were impressive.
Considering Su Hang already loved to help in defense, this skill benefited him far more than it would any other forward.
Su Hang's individual attributes received another upgrade:
Offensive Awareness: 85 +1
Speed: 71 +1
Explosiveness: 85 +1
Strength: 88 +1
Agility: 73 +1
The boosts to Explosiveness and Strength were especially valuable.
Reaching ninety in any single stat would be extraordinary—
the mark of a top-tier professional.
In short, don't be fooled by Su Hang's calm and composed looks—he's now a bona fide "beast forward"!
"Ding! Young Messi has won La Liga's Best Newcomer for the first time. He's full of ambition, hoping to become a superstar striker like you—and one day, La Liga's best player!"
"With Messi looking up to you, you have a responsibility to lead by example. You have obtained the Moment Card 'Lionel Messi 2007'!"
!!!
It's here!
Messi delivers again!
2007—the rise of the 19-year-old Messi!
...
(35 Chapters Ahead)
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