Champions Barcelona struggle to make up the numbers in LaLiga best XI

LaLiga title contenders Barcelona and Real Madrid between them dominate the WhoScored.com team of the season so far, with the pair accounting for six of the 11 players in this XI, and that's not including a defender enjoining a fine campaign on loan from Los Blancos... 

Goalkeeper: Aitor Fernandez (Levante) - 7.05 rating 

Levante may sit 13th in the LaLiga table, but would be in a far more perilous position were it not for the goalkeeping exploits of Aitor Fernandez. The 28-year-old has made more saves (124) than any other goalkeeper in Spain's top tier this term to reflect a statistically calculated WhoScored strength of 'shot stopping'. His good performances in goal means Fernandez occupies the first spot in the WhoScored LaLiga best XI so far with a WhoScored rating of 7.05. 

Right-back: Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid) - 7.28 rating 

Only Daniel Wass (6) has registered more assists than Dani Carvajal (5) of all LaLiga defenders this season, with the Spaniard maximising his attacking freedom. The right-back is a willing runner up field as his 1.7 key passes per game this term highlights. Defensively sound, too, Carvajal has returned averages of 2.3 tackles and 1.3 interceptions per game to make this XI with a WhoScored rating of 7.28. 

Centre-back: Raphael Varane (Real Madrid) - 7.04 rating 

The second of four Real Madrid representatives, Raphael Varane has been unassumingly impressive at the heart of the Los Blancos backline with a WhoScored rating of 7.04 enough to make the LaLiga team of the season so far. Varane has often looked to start attacks from the back having mustered a 86.9% pass success rate from 50 passes per game, while an aerial success rate of 71.4% marks a solid campaign so far for the 2018 World Cup winner. 

Centre-back: Inigo Martinez (Athletic Club) - 7.01 rating 

Partnering Varane in defence is Athletic Club's Inigo Martinez. The Spanish centre-back has earned a modest WhoScored rating of 7.01 for the Bilbao side with his proactive approach to defending key to his solid score. Indeed, Martinez has chipped in with 4.3 clearances and 1.5 tackles per game in LaLiga this season, while four aerial duels won per game ranks highly of all players in the league to make this team. 

Left-back: Sergio Reguilon (Sevilla) - 7.14 rating 

Rounding off the defence is Sevilla's left-back Sergio Reguilon. The on-loan defender has chipped in with one goal and four assists for the Seville outfit this season as he utilises the attacking freedom granted by boss Julen Lopetegui. The 23-year-old has chipped in with fine averages of 1.6 key passes and 1.7 successful dribbles per game to reinforce statistically calculated WhoScored strengths of 'key passes' and 'dribbling' and yield a rating of 7.14. 

Right midfield: Lionel Messi (Barcelona) - 8.61 rating 

Far and away the WhoScored LaLiga player of the season, Lionel Messi has again been exceptional for Barcelona this term as his WhoScored rating (8.61) suggests. The Argentine is the only player to register double figures for both goals (19) and assists (12) in Spain's top tier this term, while Messi ranks first for accurate through balls (12), clear-cut chances created (22), successful dribbles (118) and man of the match awards (13). 

Central midfield: Casemiro (Real Madrid) - 7.54 

Joining Messi on the podium as one of LaLiga's best rated players, Casemiro has garnered a WhoScored rating of 7.54 in Spain's top tier this term with the Brazilian battler ranking first for tackles (83) and interceptions (53) in LaLiga. In addition, Casemiro has three goals and two assists to his name to make this XI as the third Real Madrid representative. 

Central midfield: Mikel Merino (Real Sociedad) - 7.36 rating 

It's a tough tackling midfield in the LaLiga team of the season so far as Mikel Merino features alongside Casemiro in the middle of the park. The Real Sociedad man has put up averages of 2.2 tackles and 1.5 interceptions per game in LaLiga and has won possession in the midfield third more times (119) than any other player this term to help return an average WhoScored rating of 7.36. 

Left midfield: Saul Niguez (Atletico Madrid) - 7.23 rating 

The sole Atletico Madrid player to make the grade in this side is their mr versatile, Saul Niguez. The 25-year-old has occupied four different positions at any given opportunity for Los Colchoneros this season and makes the XI on the left wing with a WhoScored rating of 7.23. Saul ranks third for tackles (64) in LaLiga this season to reinforce statistically calculated WhoScored strengths of 'defensive contribution' and 'tackling' and round off the midfield. 

Striker: Karim Benzema (Real Madrid) - 7.39 rating 

Karim Benzema's form may have tailed off since Christmas, but the Real Madrid forward has still had a direct hand in 20 league goals this season, netting 14; only Lionel Messi (31) has had a direct hand in more goals in LaLiga. 13 of Benzema's goals have been deemed clear-cut chances, that more than any other player, and it's helped the Frenchman land a WhoScored rating of 7.39. 

Striker: Luis Suarez (Barcelona) - 7.56 rating 

Joining Benzema on the frontline is Barcelona forward Luis Suarez, who has had a direct and in 18 league goals this season, netting 11 times. That number would have been higher still had the Uruguayan not suffered a knee injury in January, but Suarez's excellent form prior to his absence has seen him garner a WhoScored rating of 7.56; only teammate Messi has better in LaLiga.