Real Madrid: 5 burning questions after 3-1 win over Athletic Club

Who is Real Madrid’s Player of the Season?

This question has now become a debate after Toni Kroos’ latest exceptional performance, which resulted in him picking up the official Man of the Match award for Real Madrid against Athletic Bilbao. Kroos scored the opener with a smashing, swerving low drive from outside the box, which is a trademark effort of his. He caught Unai Simon off-guard and gave Real the lead just before the half-time whistle.

As usual, Kroos controlled the match with a passing accuracy in the high 90’s and the most passes on the team. There is literally nobody better in the world at controlling a game with their passing than Kroos.

Player of the Season? He is in the discussion, but there are two other names squarely in the conversation. Captain Sergio Ramos has been immense this year as well, though I would hesitate to put him over Kroos and Luka Modric. I’m not sure he has been as statistically brilliant as them, and his mistake against Bilbao is a reminder that he isn’t the best actual defender among the team’s center backs.

Modric has been the consensus Player of the Season thus far for Real Madrid, and no matter how often he starts, he hasn’t slowed down.

One last name to throw into the mix? Fede Valverde, whose great season was delayed by injury. He came close to scoring a couple of times against Athletic Club, and his fourth goal of the season could be on the horizon this weekend at Eibar.