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Tue 12 April 2022 | 4:30

Real Madrid Best Players in 2021

A year without a trophy may be considered a failure in Real Madrid’s history, but on closer inspection, there are more positives than negatives. Read on to find out more about the Real Madrid Best Players in 2021.

Real Madrid

had quite a topsy-turvy 2021 that eventually led to them being reunited with their former coach Carlo Ancelotti.

Real Madrid under new boss Carlo Ancelotti had been exceeding all expectations fans would have had at the start of the season.

The 2021 Real Madrid Club season is the 117th season in the Spanish football. In addition to the domestic league of Spain La Liga, Real Madrid participated in the Copa del Rey, the Supercopa de España, and the UEFA Champions League.

On the contrary to finishing La Liga at second place and reaching UEFA Champions League semi-finals for the first time since 2018, Real Madrid won no trophy in 2021 for the first time since 2009.

Real Madrid out -list for this season consists of Brahim Diaz, James Rodriguez, and

Gareth Bale

as the most famous players.

In 2021, Real Madrid lost La Liga competition to Atletico Madrid and also they lost to Alcoyano in Copa del Rey and thus lost that competition too. They reached UEFA Champions League semi-finals but Chelsea won over Real Madrid and went to final and finally got the title of that trophy.

Real Madrid Best Players in 2021:

Here is the list of the

best players of real Madrid in 2021 season

.

Karim Benzema

  • Full name: Karim Mostafa Benzema

  • Date of birth: 19 December 1987 (age 34)

  • Place of birth: Lyon, France

  • Height: 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)

  • Position(s): Striker

  • Current team: Real Madrid

By the

Cristiano Ronaldo

's departure to Juventus, Real Madrid forwards line got shocked. Eden Hazard's persistent injury problems put the club at trouble.

The absence of Cristiano and Bale, along with injuries of Eden Hazard, left a massive void in Real Madrid's forward line. Real Madrid forward line needed a hero.

'The Benz' was

Real Madrid's best player

this season by a proverbial country mile.

Karim Benzema

has assumed the attacking mantle at Real Madrid. Despite the hurdles, the Frenchman has been the only bright spot in the attack for Los Blanco's.

With scoring 28 goals and 8 assists in 41 games across all competitions, Karim Benzema has proved himself to be one of the top goal scorers at this season. He has scored 21 of Real Madrid's 58 league goals. He is the second-highest scorer in the league, with only Lionel Messi having a better tally at 28.

Karim shouldered the responsibility, scoring 30 goals and nine assists for Los Merengues, including a goal and assist in his team's last league game of the season.

The Frenchman was Real Madrid's highest goal scorer across all competitions in 2021, while he ranked second in terms of assists.

Karim Benzema finished the 2020-21 La Liga scoring charts behind Lionel Messi, recording 1 goal plus assists per 90 minutes, the third-highest in the Spanish top-flight. Along with his goals in La Liga, Benzema notched six strikes in the UEFA Champions League, playing a big role in Real Madrid's way to the semi-finals.

One of Real Madrid's longest-serving players, Karim Benzema looks good to lead his team's attack for a few more years after successfully emerging out of Cristiano Ronaldo's shadow.

Benzema's exploits helped his team stay in contention for La Liga success, and his six goals in the Champions League have been pivotal. There is no doubt that Karim Benzema has been the player of the season so far for Real Madrid.

There is no doubt that Benzema has been the best striker in the European football in the calendar year of 2021. The Frenchman finished 4th in the Ballon d'Or ranking this year.

Thibaut Courtois

  • Full name: Thibaut Nicolas Marc Courtois

  • Date of birth: 11 May 1992 (age 29)

  • Place of birth: Bree, Belgium

  • Height: 2.00 m (6 ft 7 in)

  • Position(s): Goalkeeper

  • Current team: Real Madrid

If the real Madrid club ended the season on a positive way, both fans and the club management must thank one strong wall in defense line,

Thibaut Courtois

. There were other important players on the pitch, but, Courtois did it consistently, every single game.

He played this season every single match in the league for Real Madrid, registering an astonishing 51 appearances in all competitions this season. He also got two Man of The Match outings among these games, which is not easy for a Goalkeeper.

The season is a tough one for Courtois. Real's defensive stability has been compromised for the fluent attacking they have been doing on the other end while keeping a high line. Courtois played behind a transitioning backline, the shifting partnerships and awkward positioning made his job a little more difficult.

As one of the

Real Madrid best players in 2021

, Courtois recorded a staggering 81.1% save success rate in the 2020-21 La Liga Playing behind a defense full of injuries.

With Team plagued by lots of injuries, especially in the defensive third, their Belgian savior rose to the fore, pulling off vital stops as the team's last line of defense wall. Real should thank for all the goals they didn't concede that they could have easily conceived.

 He conceded only 28 goals of the 111 shots that he faced on target. He ended with 17 clean sheets in the La Liga just one behind the golden glove winner Atletico Madrid's Jan Oblak.

Courtois has established himself as one of the best goalkeepers in recent times, registering 21 clean sheets in all competitions during 2021 Courtois recorded a clean sheet ratio of 44.7% in the league, playing all 38 games for Real Madrid.

In his appearances across all competitions this season in 51 matches, the La Liga and Premier League winner conceded only 44 goals, doing so at an average of 0.86 goals conceded per 90 minutes.

For the majority of the times that Real Madrid take goal, the 29-year-old Thibaut wasn't at fault. He was the best campaigner between the sticks for Real Madrid in 2021 season.

Toni Kroos

  • Full name: Toni Kroos

  • Date of birth: 4 January 1990 (age 32)

  • Place of birth: Greifswald, East Germany

  • Height: 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)

  • Position(s): Midfielder

  • Current team: Real Madrid

Toni Kroos

was absolutely among the

Real Madrid best players in 2021

. He was also the Real Madrid's best midfielder in 2021. He was involved in 15 goals with three goals and 12 assists in 42 appearances across all competitions for real Madrid. Toni Kroos is among those rare players who have kept their good form despite playing most minutes for Real Madrid.

Real Madrid started the season without the German who was out for injury. Since his return, the team has looked much more comfortable on the controlling the ball. He is the big master passer of the ball.

His signature passing style to drop his shoulder and find a different channel deceiving his marker is just so satisfying to see.

The 2014 FIFA World Cup winner displayed his imperious passing range this season, picking out teammates in dangerous positions and let them score easily. The German also showcased exceptional passing accuracy during the campaign. He registered an almost 90% pass completion rate in 2021 La Liga, 95.7% in short passes and over 76% in long passes.

On 10 April 2021, Kroos scored his first goal in El Clásico in the 28th minute at the Di Stefano Stadium which proved to be the winner in a 2–1 league win to send Madrid to the top of the league.

This was Kroos' first free kick goal in just his sixth attempt. The German midfield general has been ever-present for Real Madrid, dictating the midfield and helping them win important games. Kroos is one of the reasons for dominant displays against most top sides.

Kroos also made an impressive expected assists of 8.6 across all competitions in 2021.

Luka Modric

  • Full name: Luka Modrić

  • Date of birth: 9 September 1985 (age 36)

  • Place of birth: Zadar, SR Croatia, SFR Yugoslavia

  • Height: 1.72 m (5 ft 8 in)

  • Position(s): Midfielder

  • Current team: Real Madrid

Among

Real Madrid’s best players in 2021

is

Luka Modric

, who is getting better with age. He played a very important role in Real Madrid's midfield during the season. Modric shone as brightly as ever in 2021, in almost every single Real Madrid game, and against all odds.

Defense players’ injuries brought out the importance of Real Madrid's midfield trio of Modric, Toni Kroos and Casemiro. A case in point is quarter-final game against Liverpool, where they lost the likes of Sergio Ramos, Raphael Varane and Dani Carvajal to injury ahead of the first leg.

Thanks to their spectacular midfield trio, Real Madrid dominated and outplayed Liverpool in the middle of the park, setting up two goals within nine minutes to turn the game.

Games between two well-matched opponents are often decided in midfield, and Real's midfield supported by Modric rose to the occasion more often than not.

The 35-year-old had 48 appearances for Real Madrid this season, playing in 80% of the team's La Liga minutes this term. The Croatian played alongside Toni Kroos and Casemiro at the heart of Real Madrid's midfield. Modric was responsible for carrying the ball, and he did it easily.

Modric also recorded 208 progressive passes and seven goal-creating actions in the Spanish top flight this season.

The 2018 FIFA World Cup finalist completed 87% passes in the 2021 La Liga, including a staggering 78% long passes. His passing was extraordinary as ever, he covered brilliantly for Real Madrid's flying right-backs, and the 35-year-old was never afraid to shoot from range.

The Ballon d'Or winner has been ever-present in Real Madrid's midfield this year too.

Vinicius Junior

  • Full name: Vinícius José Paixão de Oliveira Júnior

  • Date of birth: 12 July 2000 (age 21)

  • Place of birth: São Gonçalo, Brazil

  • Height: 1.76 m (5 ft 9 in)

  • Position(s): Forward

  • Current team: Real Madrid

Real Madrid left-winger was already a stunning footballer before

Carlo Ancelotti

took over for the second time in 2021. Under him, the youngster has become one of the best.

Brazilian sensation,

Vinicius Jr

, has been the shining light at Real Madrid throughout the year. He is giving us flashbacks of Neymar in his prime at Barcelona, a time when no defender was safe from on-pitch humiliation.

We can't easily say there is a better dribbler than Vinicius in the football world right now. He is lightning super quick, can beat any defender one-on-one, and after some aging has acquired the ability to apply the finishing touch.

The young superstar scored 12 goals and provided nine assists in 25 games across all competitions this season.

This tactical analysis and scout report aims to unpick some of the key attributes of Vinicius junior's game and why he has started to produce a tangible output of goals and assists.

Vinicius Junior has the samba flair in touch of the ball. His skills on the ball and trickery remind fans of the countless carefree Brazilian footballers who have adapted to the relatively conservative and tactical approach of European Football.

This season especially, the youngster has been the main source of goals for Los Blanco's as the future at Madrid looks very strong and sustainable. The Los Blanco's winger has proven himself to be one of the top players in Real Madrid.

Casemiro

  • Full name: Carlos Henrique Casimiro

  • Date of birth: 23 February 1992 (age 30)

  • Place of birth: São José dos Campos, Brazil

  • Height: 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)

  • Position(s): Defensive midfielder

  • Current team: Real Madrid

Casemiro

isn't the best player at the Real Madrid. He's not the finest man, the name who kids want on their replica jerseys. But for importance, it's entirely possible he cannot be matched.

Casemiro has been one of Real Madrid's best players over these years and has continued his fine football in the 2021 as well.

The Brazilian has a defined role being structural and organizational as well as technical. He performs it as adeptly in his own way. Without Casemiro, Real Madrid can suffer.

The Brazilian Midfielder is widely called as one of the best defensive midfielders in the game, with his performances for Real Madrid this season enhancing his reputation. The 29-year-old has become a key player for Real Madrid in the middle of the ground. He notched up 46 appearances in all competitions this season, including 34 La Liga matches for Real Madrid.

Casemiro is second on the list of Real Madrid players with most switches this season behind Toni Kroos. Casemiro is actually much better at providing longer passes than shorter ones. His connection with Kroos remains short and quick to allow the German to get into positions where he can operate without much pressure.

Having a goal involvement of 13 goals including seven goals and six assists in all competitions, Casemiro enjoyed his most productive season in Real Madrid at 2021. The Brazilian had a pass accuracy of over 83% in the 2020-21 La Liga, including a 72% success rate with long balls.

To say that Casemiro is a physical player would be an understatement. He loves flying into tackles and always stands up for himself in confrontations. He won't let any of his teammates be bullied, either, and he showed that in a Champions League match against

Liverpool

in April 2021.

During the 14 match that Casemiro was injured for, Real Madrid managed just two clean sheets. one at home against Leganes, the other in the derby against Atletico, when every Real player was doing their best. When the Brazilian was in the pitch, Real Madrid conceded an average of 0.86 goals per match, which rises to 1.17 goals per match when he's not in the game

Casemiro's forte is the defensive side of his game, waiting in front of Real Madrid's backline and shielding the defense line. He registered 151 tackles and interceptions at a tackle success rate of around 40%. The 29-year old's tally of 62 interceptions in the 2021 La Liga was the second-most in the league.

Eder Militao

  • Full name: Éder Gabriel Militão

  • Date of birth: 18 January 1998 (age 24)

  • Place of birth: Sertãozinho, São Paulo, Brazil

  • Height: 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in)

  • Position(s): Centre-back

  • Current team: Real Madrid

The summer of 2021 was a big window to success and shinning for Eder Militao. The Brazilian saw Real Madrid lose their top two center backs, Raphael Varane and

Sergio Ramos

, and desperately needed someone to plug the vacuum.

Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane left in the same transfer window and Real Madrid's defensive stability was heavily shocked Militao, who signed for Real Madrid in 2019 from Porto, had the opportunity to make himself useful, and that's exactly what he did in 2021, the new partnership between David Alaba and Eder Militao made things stable for Real Madrid defense line.

Alongside David Alaba, Militao has turned Real Madrid into a solid defensive unit. The Brazil international is strong in the air, freakishly quick, and doesn't lunge in unless the situation absolutely demands it.

One player above all starts, has made it possible for this defense to secure the wall. And, he is none other than Real Madrid's Brazilian Center-back Eder Militao.

Eder Militao, is made for the longer aims in ground. He started being a start to Real Madrid's first team after Sergio Ramos's injury wreaked havoc on Real Madrid backline in the second half of season 2020-21. There wasn't any doubt about him being the first-choice after Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane's exits were announced.

Resulting of exceptionally hard work or natural talent, Militao has what it needs to succeed and make a big name for himself at the highest level of football in the world.

Besides his impressive skillset, his areal defense is something that stands out. Aerial play is a characteristic feature of new football games that is largely played on the breaks. Defending crosses and winning aerial duels in the box is a decisive part of any football match.

Militao shines in the air. He is winning 2.8 aerial duels every game in the UEFA Champions League, and in 2.4 for La Liga. He also has four Man of The Match performances, one in the UEFA Champions League and three in the La Liga. Real Madrid have kept 11 clean sheets in 18 La Liga games this season with Militao in the ground.

In 2021, Militao saved Real Madrid many times in crucial games. From crucial interceptions to last-ditch tackles, the former Porto man did it all with full confidence.

The defender played in 39 of Real Madrid's last 40 games, helping the team to not defeat in 36 of them. Militao proved his haters wrong with surefooted performances throughout 2021.

Ferland Mendy

  • Full name: Ferland Sinna Mendy

  • Date of birth: 8 June 1995 (age 26)

  • Place of birth: Meulan-en-Yvelines, France

  • Height: 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)

  • Position(s): Left-back

  • Current team: Real Madrid

The things that

Ferland Mendy

brings to the table are too good to ignore for Real Madrid there is no full-back in football right now who is as defensively sound as Ferland Mendy. It has been like that ever since he joined Real Madrid, and the impact he's had on the team cannot be ignored at all

This season he proved himself to all fans. Real Madrid's defense has been pretty bad, especially before Mendy's return from injury, and usually rely on spectacular performances from Karim Benzema, Vinicius Jr, Eder Militao and Thibaut Courtois for victories.

Since Ferland Mendy's return to team, Real Madrid have only conceded 0.6 goals per game (six matches played, four goals conceded). Before Mendy's return, they were conceding double the number of goals per game in 10 matches (12 goals in 10 matches). It just shows how at ease Real Madrid's defense is with the Frenchman in the squad.

In La Liga, he's averaging 2.67 blocks, 1.33 clearances, 2.67 interceptions per 90 at 2021.He averages 2.22 tackles per 90 in the Champions League as well.

 Mendy covers for David Alaba extremely well, and vice versa. Whenever Alaba goes up the pitch on one of his darting runs into the attacking third as a makeshift full-back, Mendy does his best to hold his ground defensively and cover for his fast teammate.

In return, Alaba makes sure Mendy is helped whenever the he is being pressed by the opposition. Alaba's incredible press resistance and Mendy's defensive awareness make the defense line very reliable.

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source: SportMob



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