After a tumultuous (and trophyless) season, Carlo Ancelotti has left the club while Xabi Alonso has returned to the Santiago Bernabéu. As is the case every season, the time has come for 22bet to rank Real Madrid’s top 5 players of the season.
5. Luka Modrić
At the beginning of the season, few expected Modrić to frequently play due to the rising competition, especially with the arrival of Aurélien Tchouaméni and Eduardo Camavinga. However, Modrić exceeded the expectations in his last season with the club.
Despite losing his partner in crime, Toni Kroos, who retired at the end of the previous season, Modrić continued to shine at Real when needed.
LEGEND, LUKA MODRIĆ. 🤍 pic.twitter.com/8jiBDN5T1E
— Madrid Xtra (@MadridXtra) May 22, 2025
During the season, the Croat brought the creativity Ancelotti’s team lacked, despite often lacking the legs to do so. He featured in over 50 games in 2024/25, registering 9 assists and 4 goals.
His time was coming due to his lack of dynamism, but it did not stop him from going out in class as he scored in his last match against Real Sociedad. Even at his worst, he remained a key player in Madrid’s season, playing a vital role amid injuries.
4. Rodrygo
Similarly to Modrić, Rodrygo started the season with low expectations, as the signings of Arda Güler and Kylian Mbappé were believed to be the last coffin in Rodrygo’s career as a Madridista. Despite carrying all odds against him, the Brazilian found a way to feature in 51 games, 30 of which were in La Liga.
Arda Güler ended up almost not playing at all, only featuring late in the season.
Rodrygo registered 13 goals and 9 assists, which few had expected at the beginning of the season.
Only Rodrygo fans will like this post 🤍 pic.twitter.com/NmVyHXMd0Q
— 🅓🅞🅝🅨 🇫🇨 🫵🏽🥷 (@RmaDonyfc) May 21, 2025
However, the Brazilian is expected to leave, as his role on the right has not served him justly according to his skill set. Many believe that he will leave for Manchester City, but it has not stopped him from having a great time at Madrid this season.
More and more fans called for his exit due to the excess of talent up front, but in many ways, he had a better season than the other Brazilian star, Vinicius Jr.
Considering he played out of position and has had the media against him, Rodrygo deserves his spot in this ranking due to his goal contribution despite rarely playing on the left-wing.
3. Federico Valverde
On his day, Federico Valverde is the ideal box-to-box profile. His shooting from range has been a cheat code in the past for Carlo Ancelotti, and his engine makes him a difficult player to pass through. Similarly to his Croatian counterpart, Valverde adapted to the circumstances and brought his 110% for the team.
Mbappé , el típico jugador que con hacer menos, recibe más reconocimiento que otros que hacen mucho más.
El mejor jugador de nuestra temporada fué Federico Valverde, Mbappé no fué ni top 5.pic.twitter.com/8WPxAqWUKg
— ParodiaJesusVallejo (@FanJesusVallejo) May 28, 2025
Valverde was regularly displaced as a right-back following Dani Carvajal’s injury, where he remained one of the team’s most important players thanks to his athletic endurance. Few players are happy to sit back and adapt to new roles, but Valverde is one of those. This is also not the first time he has done it, and few could tell this was not his original role.
Valverde has been more than a brilliant player: he has also been an excellent teammate. Some players may not appear to be captains, but they lead by example: Valverde always did what was best for the team.
✅ Official: Federico Valverde berada dalam nominasi untuk #BallondOr🌕 2024! 🇺🇾 pic.twitter.com/1t7sqcEF3c
— Seputar Real Madrid (@SeputarMadrid) September 4, 2024
At the beginning of the season, he took on a deeper role in an attempt to replace Toni Kroos; he later continued in his right-back role and never complained. His teammates have often praised him for his leadership, demonstrating that he has become a capable captain.
2. Jude Bellingham
Jude Bellingham’s season may not have been as good in attacking terms as his first season, but he still will make the podium. The reason is that he has adapted to a new context, and allowed Mbappé to take the leading role in the offense.
It takes a special amount of selflessness to do it, especially at his young age. Despite that, few would complain about his season, having registered 14 goals and 13 assists.
Rodrygo on the left 🔥
Jude Bellingham insane assist 🔥
still our best goal of the season ❤️ 🔥 pic.twitter.com/I3nzwxSSq3— FREEMAN (@FREEMANofLAG) May 20, 2025
His role has been reinvented as he has sought to create chances for Mbappé, which explains his high number of assists.
Bellingham occasionally dropped deeper in order to ease Valverde’s creative tasks, especially in the first months of the season. He has practically reinvented himself when the team needed it most, while still acting like a leader.
Bellingham was the creative force when Luka was absent, adapting to the circumstances.
1. Kylian Mbappé
The number one could only be Mbappé. The Frenchman ends the season with 43 goals to his name in his first season with Real Madrid. Few stars could achieve this number, including Cristiano Ronaldo. It is even more impressive that Mbappé could aspire to such numbers considering his struggles in the first two months.
Mbappé found it difficult to adapt at first as Ancelotti tried to find a way to fit him into the puzzle with Vinicius Jr and Bellingham. Despite Mbappé’s status, many were skeptical about his role and whether he could displace Vinicius. He eventually claimed the striker role, which was aided by Vinicius’ injury.
Kylian Mbappé is the first Real Madrid player to win the European Golden Boot since Cristiano Ronaldo 🏆
Game recognises game 🤝 pic.twitter.com/v25cgCmDXO
— OneFootball (@OneFootball) May 25, 2025
Mbappé scored goals against Barcelona, even when his team played like a second-division team. His runs in behind the defense have been a nightmare for Hansi Flick’s team, due to the excellent timing. Few players have been able to do it this season: in most Clásicos, Mbappé ended up scoring.
At the end of the season, most fans remember Mbappé as the saviour and the star they deserved. For a long time, Florentino Pérez chased Mbappé without success. The Real Madrid President has now proved his point as to why he chased after the Frenchman for so long.
