The five breakout teams of LaLiga EA Sports 2024/25

Barcelona, Athletic Club, Villarreal, Rayo Vallecano, and Celta have emerged as the standout clubs of the season.

Laliga EA Sports 2024/25 has been one of the most closely contested campaigns in recent years, a clear sign that every team has performed at a high level and no one has given anything away. When it comes to evaluating the most impressive teams of the competition—or those that have most surpassed expectations—five clubs stand out from the rest.

BARCELONA UNDER HANSI FLICK’S HIGH-TEMPO MASTERCLASS

The Blaugrana have been crowned champions of Laliga EA Sports with a spectacular style of play: high intensity, aggressive pressing, and a high defensive line that, while risky, proved extremely effective at catching opponents offside. At the start of the season, no one expected this level of football from Barcelona, but the German coach has elevated them to another dimension.

Key to this success were players like Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, and Pedri, who all performed at an extraordinary level. The central defensive pairing of Pau Cubarsí and Iñigo Martínez also stood out, delivering top-tier performances. The team functioned like clockwork nearly all season, culminating in a historic treble by winning all three domestic titles.

ATHLETIC CLUB RETURN TO THE UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE AFTER ELEVEN YEARS

Los Leones have made a glorious return to Europe’s elite competition after more than a decade. Their LaLiga campaign was consistent and impressive, built on a compact structure, high pressing, and a direct, fast-paced style of play focused on wing attacks.

On top of that, they reached the semifinals of the Europa League, where they were eliminated by Manchester United.

Several players delivered outstanding performances, including Unai Simón in the second half of the season, Dani Vivian in central defense, Mikel Jaureguizar in midfield, and especially Oihan Sancet as an attacking midfielder.

Sancet was the team's top scorer and the focal point in attack. The Williams brothers and Maroan Sannadi—who added new energy to the attack in the second half of the season—also played key roles.

MARCELINO GARCÍA TORAL BRINGS VILLARREAL BACK TO THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Villarreal returned to the Uefa Champions League after a season out of European competitions. The Yellow Submarine reestablished themselves among LaLiga's elite, thanks to the quality of their attacking players and Marcelino’s effective 4-4-2 formation, featuring one wide winger and another who cuts inside, with the two forwards enjoying freedom to drop deep and threaten goal.

The team’s standout feature has been its attacking quality. Álex Baena and Ayoze Pérez were the club’s top scorer and assist provider, respectively, with the latter winning the Zarra Trophy with 19 goals. Added to that were Dani Parejo’s midfield leadership, Pape Gueye’s physical presence, Thierno Barry’s goals, and Juan Foyth’s strong second half of the season—all combining to fulfill the dream of a return to the Uefa Champions League.

CLAUDIO GIRÁLDEZ LEADS CELTA BACK TO EUROPE

The Galician side has been one of the most entertaining teams this season. Possibly second only to Barcelona in terms of attractive, attacking football, Celta played with great risk at the back. They used multiple systems throughout the year—3-5-2, 4-3-3, and 4-2-3-1—demonstrating tactical flexibility.

The most admirable aspect of Celta’s success is that it was built with a squad composed largely of homegrown talent. Players like Alfon, Pablo Durán, Fer López, and Hugo Álvarez—products of the A Madroa academy—have made their mark in the first team.

Meanwhile, veteran strikers Borja Iglesias and Iago Aspas, the team’s top scorers, were crucial, with Aspas netting the decisive goal that sealed their qualification for the Europa League.

RAYO VALLECANO RETURN TO EUROPE AFTER 25 YEARS

The biggest fairytale of the Laliga EA Sports season has been Rayo Vallecano’s return to European competition, earning a place in the Uefa Conference League a full 25 years after their last continental appearance. Hailing from the Vallecas district of Madrid, the club is deeply rooted in its community and played with a courageous, high-energy, attacking style and relentless pressing.

Head coach Iñigo Pérez is the architect of this achievement, but the efforts of players like Isi, Álvaro, Pedro Díaz, Ratiu, the centre-back pairing of Mumin and Lejeune, and goalkeeper Agustín Batalla were instrumental in this historic European qualification. The team with the red sash never gave up and has delivered a season to remember.