La Liga: Best Starting XI of the Last Decade

It's no surprise, when compiling the best starting XI of La Liga from recent years, to see that Real Madrid and Barcelona have monopolised the league's talent.

Whether it be foreign talent or talent promoted through both clubs' famous youth academies, Real and Barcelona are head and shoulders above the rest, out-muscling lesser teams for the world's finest players.

As presidents come and go, each leaves his mark by cherry picking talent from league rivals. We've seen it before with players like Rivaldo, who was brought to Spain by an ambitious Deportivo side, only to end up with Catalonia's premier club.

Real and Barcelona control the market and have created an almost uncontrollable gap between themselves and their rivals when it comes to the most elite players.

So it's little surprise that most of the players on this list come from those two sides.

Iker Casillas

Casillas is one of the goalkeeping icons of this generation—the long-time face of Real Madrid and a national hero as captain of Spain's World Cup-winning side.

There can be little argument, despite the goalkeeping talent that La Liga has seen over the past several years, that Iker Casillas is the foremost shot-stopper in European football today.

An archetypal professional, Casillas leads his Real Madrid side without the controversy and theatrics that have come to the foreground of late.

Roberto Carlos

Roberto Carlos changed our notion of full-backs forever. The Brazilian flier was most comfortable marauding down the left-flank towards the opposition's penalty box.

One of the most impressive performers at set pieces in recent years, Carlos rightfully takes his place as the best left-back La Liga has seen over the past decade.

Carles Puyol

Carles Puyol has been one of the pillars of FC Barcelona.

A captain for three Champions League winning sides and a staple through numerous partner changes at centre-back, Puyol personifies the fight and determination of Barcelona—a team always striving for one more trophy.

Puyol is an outstanding leader for a Barcelona side awash with talent, and is one of the finest defenders of his day.

Roberto Ayala

Roberto Ayala is one of the finest defenders in Spain. Much of his peak playing days were spent at Valencia, where he enjoyed a number of successful years at the heart of defence.

A Champions League runner-up and two-time La Liga winner, Ayala may represent of the current state of La Liga—in a league so heavily dominated by its two mainstays, there's always the chance that an outsider can break the stranglehold.

Sergio Ramos

Although Sergio Ramos may embody recklessness and controversy, he continues the tradition of the outstanding attacking full-back started by Roberto Carlos.

Ramos is more than just a full-back competent in the opposition's third. He is quite capable of playing in the heart of defence at centre-back and will often deputise in the absence of Real Madrid's first choice pairing.

Possibly the most complete defender in Europe today with his versatility, pace and strength on the pitch, Ramos certainly tops Dani Alves as the finest right-back in La Liga.

Xavi

Xavi is possibly the best central midfielder to play in La Liga.

He is the heartbeat of one of the most successful Barcelona sides, the catalyst for the Spanish national side and, of course, the best passer this generation has ever known.

Exquisite, delightful, extraordinary: You simply run out of superlatives to describe the man that keeps the engine of this Barcelona side ticking over.

His ability never seems to wane with each passing season. He continues to do the unthinkable by unlocking even the most stubborn opposing defences and finding teammates when all seems impossible.

Put aside the theatre and excitement that comes with two superpowers duelling in Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo—rather enjoy watching an extraordinary footballer at work during the height of his powers.

Zinedine Zidane

Many of what has been said about Xavi Hernandez can also be accurately said about Zinedine Zidane. Zidane is the finest French footballer since Michel Platini—and, for was for a considerable number of years, the most expensive footballer in the world.

Perhaps it's a little too cliche to describe Zidane as a footballing icon. It's a lot easier to let his play do the talking (see video).

Here is a standout moment of Zidane's career with Real Madrid—a display of his outstanding technique and ability: his volley vs. Bayer Leverkusen in the 2002 Champions League final.

Ronaldinho

Before Lionel Messi, there was Ronaldinho—possibly the most breathtakingly skillful player European football has seen in many years.

The Brazilian was a phenomenon at his craft and an entertainer for the world's football audience. A driving force during his time at Barcelona, winning multiple trophies and personal accolades, Ronaldinho highlighted a shift in playing style. He moved from a relatively rigid wide player to a more flamboyant, free-flowing footballer—with seemingly unlimited tricks at his disposal.

Lionel Messi

While most of this list consists of players nearing or already having reached the ends of their careers, Lionel Messi has yet to reach the height of his footballing ability.

His inclusion here is a testament to both himself and to manager Pep Guardiola, who has been able to bring the best out of the Argentine.

Moving on from a fading superstar (Ronaldinho) and the distracting Samuel Eto'o, Guardiola shifted Messi into a more central position with the license to roam—a masterful stroke.

Messi has showcased not only his ability in front of goal and his hypnotic, almost unstoppable, runs into the penalty area—but also his familiarity with playing in the middle of the pitch.

Playing alongside Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Cesc Fabregas, Messi has highlighted an outstanding ability to benefit from three of the most elite passers in European football.

Though his career has already surpassed those of many great La Liga talents, expect much, much more from the little Argentine.

Raul Gonzalez

For much of the decade, Raul Gonzalez was the face of Real Madrid—a proud captain who was never displaced by the jewel-encrusted signings of Florentino Perez in his first stint as club president.

A leader on and off the pitch during his time in the nation's capital, Gonzalez was a part of some of Madrid's most memorable triumphs, both domestically and in European competition.

Ronaldo

When Ronaldo arrived at Real Madrid, he was the best striker in world football.

A World Cup winner with Brazil, Ronaldo had faded slightly during his time with Inter Milan due to injury. A move to Florentino Perez's "Galacticos" might just have restarted the engines of one of Europe's greatest modern strikers.

It's sometimes difficult to understand how Ronaldo never won a Champions League title with any of his teams. A powerful, predatory goal machine, comfortable with both feet and a number of playing styles, Ronaldo will forever be remembered as one of the most exciting footballers ever to come out of Brazil and into European football.