What a year it has been for La Liga and Spanish Football in general. To cap it off in style, here is my 'Livin La Liga Top Ten' for 2009:
1. FC BARCELONA: There's no doubt the lasting memory of 2009 will be the spectacular six trophy haul by Barcelona. That injury time goal from Iniesta at Chelsea, the famous 2-6 victory in the Bernabeu and Guardiolas tears after the World Club Cup win which sealed the unprecedented sextruplet. A special mention should also go to Mr Lionel Messi after leading from the front all year and bagging all the personal awards since. This team has been immortalised in footballing history and then some.2. SPANISH NATIONAL TEAM: Just the one defeat all year, a faultless World Cup qualifying campaign and the number one ranking in the world. Many thought it would be a tough task for Vicente Del Bosque following their Euro 2008 triumph, but the changeover has been seamless. 47 goals and 15 wins out of 16 matches is all the evidence you need. Simply the best.
3. REAL MADRID SPENDING SPREE: Florentino has been widely criticised for his spending spree (outside of Madrid of course), but I thought it was box office. The summer of 2009 was a journalists dream as Florentino handpicked some of Europes finest to grace La Liga. Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaká, Karim Benzema and Xabi Alonso were the biggest names to join the new 'Galacticos' and turn Spanish Football into the home of the worlds finest. It will interesting to see what 2010 holds in store for Real Madrid.
4. IKER MUNIAIN: 2009 saw the rapid rise of Spanish footballs newest star. Iker Muniain has broken all sorts of records at the San Mames this year, demonstrating along the way a potential that is ready to explode in 2010. With electric pace, a Messi-esque touch, an eye for goal and a fiery never-say-die attitude, the youth set-up at Athletic Bilbao has unearthed another gem.
5. MALLORCA AND GREGORIO MANZANO: The Real Madrids and Barcelonas may get the plaudits, but the job Gregorio Manzano and his Mallorca team are doing is just as noteworthy. With dwindling attendances, boardroom problems, a tiny budget and a set of modest footballers, Mallorca prove the doubters wrong week in week out. After a commendable ninth place finish last season, they are sitting pretty in fifth as 2009 comes to a close. Spectacular from the islanders.
6. PEDRO: It can't be long now until Pedro is a fixture in the Barca starting XI (if he isn't already) after sealing a stunning 2009 with the last gasp goal which kept Barcelona in the World Club Cup final. The match before he wrote his name in the record books as the only player in footballing history to have scored in all six major tournaments in one season. This year also saw him sign his first professional contract with the club, which ties him to Barca until 2014. What a year.
7. ATHLETIC BILBAO CUP FINAL 24 YEARS LATER: With their record of 23 Copa del Rey wins (only behind Barca who have 25) it was fantastic to see the Basque team back in a cup final 24 years after their last appearance in 1985. Although they ended up losing to the best team on the planet, Bilbao was transformed into a red and white wonderland and the excitement it stirred up in the city was spellbinding.
8. ESPANYOLS NEW HOME: Having spent 12 long years in their temporary home in Montjuic, Espanyol were finally given a new home in 2009 as they moved to the fantastic Estadi Cornellà-El Prat. It was always a sad sight to see them play at the soulless Olympic Stadium, which was almost always half-empty, so it's great to see Spains sixth most successful club in a brand-spanking new stadium.
9. XEREZ IN PRIMERA: Xerez, a small club with scarce financial resources, finished above the mighty Real Zaragoza to top 'La Segunda' and reach La Liga for the first time in their 62 year history. The little town in deep Andalucia went beserk and even though they are rock bottom as we enter 2010, the players and fans will always remember 2009 as the year they finally reached the summit of Spanish football.
10. DIEGO FORLAN: Diego Forlan has not looked back since he made his move to Spain from Manchester United and 2009 saw him snatch La Ligas 'Pichichi' title and Europes Golden Boot, both for the second time. He finished last season with 32 goals in 33 league encounters, and among them plenty of contenders for goal of the season. Even this season in a struggling Atlético side, he has netted 6 in 11. The Uruguayan has been lethal.
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