What are LaLiga players’ true opinions about their peers? If they could choose any player in the world to join their team, who would it be? Which stadiums do they enjoy visiting the most? And which coaches tend to irritate them from the sidelines?
ESPN engaged with 30 players from Spain’s top division to uncover the answers to these questions and more for the second edition of LaLiga Confidential, four years after the inaugural edition. All players provided their insights on the condition of anonymity, and their responses are intriguing, shedding light not only on who they consider the top talents in the league — perhaps Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappé or Barcelona’s Pedri or Lamine Yamal? — but also highlighting those they feel are underrated or most prone to receiving red cards.
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PLAYERS AND COACHES: LaLiga players on their contemporaries
The initial question yields the most anticipated responses, although the division between Pedri and Yamal indicates the high regard in which the Barça midfielder is held by his colleagues. The following inquiries reveal some of the most overlooked players in LaLiga, those viewed as the least disciplined — look away now, Getafe — and the coach who is the biggest provocateur during matches.
1. If you ran a team, who would be your first signing?
What they said:
— “Mbappé can win matches single-handedly.”
— “Haaland is a player who guarantees goals.”
2. Who’s the most underrated player in LaLiga right now?
What they said:
— “Raphinha should have claimed the Ballon d’Or.”
3. Which player in LaLiga is most likely to get red carded?
What they said:
— “Anyone facing Madrid or Barcelona.”
4. Which coach is most annoying on the sidelines?
What they said:
— “Simeone enjoys provoking the opposition.”
— “Bordalás complains about everything.”
AWAY DAYS: The best places to play in Spain
Visits to Barcelona and Real Madrid are notable, but beyond the Clásico rivals, LaLiga offers some of the finest away trips in European football. However, the term best does not always imply easy, as teams like Athletic Club in Bilbao, Real Betis in Seville, and Rayo Vallecano in Madrid consistently pose challenges for visiting teams.
5. What’s the toughest away game in terms of atmosphere and fans?
6. When you get the schedule, which city are you most looking forward to visiting?
GOALS AND GAMES: Celebrations, watching football and EA FC
Lastly, LaLiga players were surveyed on various additional topics, including their views on scoring against a former team, their football viewing habits, burnout, and the crucial EA FC player ratings.
7. Would you celebrate against your former team?
What they said:
— “No, I rarely score, so it would be unfortunate if my only goal of the season was against a former team.”
— “Not really, you must always show respect for the team that helped you reach where you are.”
— “I hope to always remain on the same team.”
8. Beyond your own team, how many football matches do you watch a week?
What they said:
— “I don’t watch much football. I prefer NFL or NBA.”
— “I watch two or three, mainly Premier League matches.”
— “I don’t watch football. I prefer to spend my free time with family or to relax.”
9. Has there been a point in your career when you have felt burnout from playing too much?
What they said:
— “When involved in multiple competitions, you end up feeling drained.”
— “No, but I will say that during Christmas, you miss your family, which can be tiring.”
10. If you play EA FC, do you think the player ratings are accurate?
What they said:
— “I believe they are fair for the more prominent players, but they undervalue the lesser-known ones.”
— “Some ratings are too high [laughing].”
— “Goalkeepers never receive the ratings we feel we deserve.”
— “Defenders are given a lower average than we think is fair [laughs].”
ESPN’s Eduardo Fernández-Abascal, Sam Marsden, Tony Mabert, and Connor O’Halloran contributed to this report
