The first decade of the twenty-first century was one of La Liga’s most eventful, stretching from the peak of the Galácticos experiment at Real Madrid to the early flowering of the tiki-taka era at Barcelona. It was a decade in which the league witnessed the extraordinary emergence of a teenage Messi, the brilliance of Ronaldinho, and a Valencia side that threatened to permanently disturb the established hierarchy.

1. 1

   Ronaldinho

   Barcelona · Brazil

   For two or three seasons in the mid-2000s, Ronaldinho was the most watchable, most devastating and most joyful footballer on the planet, winning the Ballon d’Or in 2005 whilst dismantling La Liga defences with a combination of skill, strength and unpredictability that left opponents bewildered. He was the principal architect of Barcelona’s resurgence under Frank Rijkaard.

2. 2

   Zinedine Zidane

   Real Madrid · France

   Zinedine Zidane spent five seasons at the Bernábeu delivering performances of imperial, unhurried grace that confirmed his status as the finest player of his era. His volley in the 2002 Champions League final against Bayer Leverkusen remains one of the most celebrated goals in football history, and his two Liga titles underscored his consistency.

3. 3

   Lionel Messi

   Barcelona · Argentina

   Messi made his La Liga debut as a teenager in 2004 and by the end of the decade was already recognised as the best player in the world, winning his first Ballon d’Or in 2009 and claiming La Liga’s Pichichi as the league’s top scorer. The scale of what was to follow only amplifies the extraordinary nature of this beginning.

4. 4

   Xavi Hernández

   Barcelona · Spain

   Though Xavi would reach the peak of his powers in the following decade, the 2000s were the years in which he established himself as the supreme passing midfielder in European football, winning two Liga titles and laying the foundations for the all-conquering Guardiola era that arrived in 2008. His control of tempo was without peer.

5. 5

   Raúl González

   Real Madrid · Spain

   Raúl carried the first half of the decade at Real Madrid with his customary authority, winning the Liga title in 2001 and 2003 while leading the line for the Galácticos project with characteristic intelligence and commitment. He remained the club’s all-time leading scorer until Cristiano Ronaldo’s arrival and was a captain of genuine substance.

6. 6

   Samuel Eto’o

   Barcelona · Cameroon

   Samuel Eto’o was arguably the most complete centre-forward in La Liga during the second half of the decade, winning back-to-back Liga titles and the Champions League with Barcelona in 2006. His pace, finishing, work rate and physical presence made him an almost uniquely dangerous opponent in the Spanish game.

7. 7

   Iker Casillas

   Real Madrid · Spain

   Casillas was at the absolute peak of his powers during the 2000s, widely regarded as the best goalkeeper in the world for much of the decade. His reflexes were extraordinary, his positioning near-perfect, and his capacity to produce defining saves in Champions League ties gave Real Madrid a foundation that their forward talent could build upon.

8. 8

   David Villa

   Valencia · Spain

   David Villa established himself as one of European football’s most clinical goalscorers during his years at Valencia, winning the Pichichi award in 2005 and 2008 and confirming his reputation as the finest Spanish striker of his generation. His combination of technical refinement and consistent finishing was a recurring ornament to the competition.

9. 9

   Diego Forlán

   Villarreal / Atlético Madrid · Uruguay

   Diego Forlán arrived in La Liga via Manchester United with little fanfare and departed having won the Pichichi twice — first with Villarreal in 2005 and then with Atlético Madrid in 2009 — along with the Europa League golden boot. He became one of the most beloved foreign players the Spanish game has known, with a work ethic that matched his talent.

10. 10

    Andrés Iniesta

    Barcelona · Spain

    Iniesta emerged from the Barcelona academy to become one of the defining midfielders of the late 2000s, combining with Xavi in a central pairing of remarkable symbiosis that would dominate the following decade. His ability to receive the ball in the tightest spaces and retain possession under intense pressure was already fully evident during these formative years.

A LeaguePaper editorial ranking — opinion, offered for argument.