The Awards

So in another season which has brought us so much - which players were the best.

Once again when it comes to talking about Superstars - we have only 2 genuine ones on this planet - Messi and Ronaldo.

But who was the more dominate in the latest season. Messi has a claim. He led his team to a 3rd successive title. Never been done before. Simply an amazing achievement.

Then there is Ronaldo. A player who for most, if not all of the season was completely untouchable. Already a Golden Boot winner in La Liga this season, with his prolific scoring rate almost bringing his team home.

Despite the fact his team fell just short of a title this season- we at the FPA believe there is little doubt this season the Golden Ball winner is: Cristiano Ronaldo.

He's the man

Other Awards for the Season:

Team of the year: Barcelona

Goal Keeper of the year: Claudio Bravo (Barcelona)

Sidekick of the year - Neymar (Barcelona)

Manager of the year: SB (Barcelona)

Rankings Update

With another La Liga title to his name SB can add 1000 points to his Ranking points.
JM received 500 points for taking second spot in the league.

Here are the standing as of September 2015.

1. SB - 2,950 points
2. JM - 1,850 points.

Real suffer fatal loss in Copa Del Rey QF

For the 3rd straight season, Real Madrid would end the season trophyless after bowing out in the Copa Del Rey Quarter Finals.

With Barcelona already down and out in this competition months ago, it was seen as Real Madrid's to lose, and as we now know - they did.

"I think the disappointment of the league came through in these last 2 performances." JM spoke about his team's loss today.

"We need to respect this cup more - and if I am here again next year I promise the fans we will do everything we can to win everything!"

Speculation is now rife in Europe that JM and his Barcelona counterpart are potentially on their way to England's Premier League, with JM being spotted recently in Manchester.

Whether he eyes a move to United or City remains to be seen - but we are certain he was not there for the sun. People close to the Real Madrid boss say he would prefer to stay at Madrid for another term, however it may not be his choice after continual failure in all competitions.

SB is favoured for a return to Chelsea, however rumours also have him reuniting with his boyhood club Liverpool. But as they could not offer him Champions League football this would seem very unlikely. Stay tuned.

Barcelona seal 3rd Liga title in a row

SB has ensured his Barcelona team have done what no other has done before them - completing a 3rd La Liga title victory in as many seasons - seeing off a last ditch attempt from rivals Real Madrid to spoil the party.

It was another impressive campaign for SB's men - having at one stage led the competition by more than 12 points. A late season slump almost brought them unstuck - but a timely break from competition in August ensured his players came back with enough fire and resolve to finish the job.

For Real Madrid it was another season of missed opportunities. Finishing with the same amount of losses as Barcelona, however with too many draws throughout the season leaving them stuck in 2nd spot for another year.

To the victor go the spoils as they say - and for Barcelona this is once again well deserved.

Barcelona celebrate another great season in the league

Barca lead La Liga, Trailed by Athletico and Real

With La Liga officially past the half way point, its Barcelona who are now odds on favourites even at this early stage to take out their 2nd league title in as many years.

Barcelona lead from 2nd placed Athletico Madrid by 10 points, with main rivals Real Madrid sitting 2 points further adrift to what now seems an unassailable lead.

Real had a chance claw this lead back however only managing a draw from their last 2 outings, including a highly significant match up last start against cross town rivals Athletico Madrid.

"This was a very disappointing outcome." JM spoke after the draw with Athletico.
"I think we were once again the better team, just failing to find the winning goals at the moment. It feels very much like last season. I hope we can turn this around much sooner than we did last year - when it was all too late."

With a Clasico still to come its certainly not impossible a lead to hunt down, especially when you consider its only a difference of 6 draws separating Barcelona and Real Madrid this season, with both having lost just 3 matches each.

The season continues.

A dejected Ronaldo failing to find the net today despite assisting in a goal for Gareth Bale

Barca Shock exit from Copa Del Rey for 2nd straight year

Barcelona have suffered their 2nd straight exit from the Kings Cup after going down over 2 legs to La Liga side Sevilla.

After a going down 2-0 away, Barcelona played a full strength line up at home in the return leg taking no chances with a front three of Messi, Neymar and Suarez leading the line.

It was against the run of play however, after absorbing all the pressure early, that Sevilla took a first half lead that would prove to be fatal. Barcelona, despite wave after wave of attack and without question the best front three combination in world football, failed to score a single goal in 2 games. Sevilla proving to be deserving winners of this Copa Del Rey clash.

For Barcelona, it would end the dream of a possible treble. The night would perhaps hurt even more seeing their La Liga rivals Real Madrid breeze into the next round and now assured favouritism for the remainder of the tournament.

Captain Messi can't believe his sides exit 2 years in a row

Real Madrid smash Barca in Clasico - Title race back on!

With their star Cristiano Ronaldo looking on from the bench, wrapped in cotton wool nursing the reoccurrence of an injury sustained weeks earlier, Real Madrid were given little chance of stopping the juggernaut that is Barcelona so far this season.

Prior to the Clasico, Barcelona have been unbeaten, showing the same resilience and at times brilliance that led them to the La Liga title last season.

Real Madrid on the other hand, haven't been at their best leading into this encounter. Poor form and injuries in the early rounds have come at a cost for the star studded ensemble, already suffering defeat and two draws this season.
This Clasico would prove crucial - either giving Barcelona a chance to extend to a lead of 8 points atop the league ladder, or give Real Madrid a chance to claw back to within 2.

As has been the case already this season, it would be Gareth Bale who would step up in the absence of Ronaldo, with Bale setting up the first goal for James Rodriquez through sheer determination and skill and then adding a second goal himself after exposing and embarrassing brittle Barcelona defence once again.

Karim Benzema would later add a third goal to virtually kill off the game before half time but not before Man of the match Gareth Bale suffered an injury which would later see him play little part in the 2nd half and later replaced.

Barca showed some fight in the 2nd period, and a goal to Gerard Pique gave the visitors some hope, but it wasn't to be.
Real Madrid fully deserving of a memorable Clasico victory and declaring the title race back on.

Gareth Bale in a Man of the Match performance scores in the Clasico