If there is one thing that LaLiga 22/23 has made clear to us, it is that Spanish football is an inexhaustible machine for generating talent. Despite the departure of icons and historical legends such as Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Iniesta, and now Karim Benzema, the elite clubs of LaLiga have responded by churning out from their respective academies great talents who are destined to be the future stars of the best league in the world. In our Best Youngsters LLG 22/23 Challenge, we selected some of the players we consider to be the great revelations of the season. Which ones have been yours?
Gabri Veiga (RC Celta de Vigo): at only 21 years of age, Gabri Veiga can boast about being the new star of his beloved club. Following the light of the club's north star, Iago Aspas, the young man born in O Porriño became the main asset of the Galicians in the scrap to stay up in LaLiga for another season, scoring 11 goals and dishing out 4 assists. Forever engrained in the retina of RC Celta de Vigo fans, Gabri Veiga's brace in the decisive game against FC Barcelona on the last matchday saved his team from relegation. The passion with which he celebrated that moment shone as brightly as the sky blue that runs in his veins. Now he can be yours by completing our latest Best Youngsters LLG 22/23 Challenge.
Alejandro Balde (FC Barcelona): few players break into the scene of elite football like Alejandro Balde, FC Barcelona's rising star at left-back. The young Spanish starlet exceeded all expectations in his second season with Barça. His meteoric development and outstanding performances have catapulted him into the elite, making him a benchmark for future generations and one of the pillars of the league-winning team of Xavi. His pace and effectiveness in the final third (1 goal and 6 assists in LaLiga) have made him one of the most promising left-backs in world football and a key part of FC Barcelona's present and future.
Fran García (Rayo Vallecano): the 2022/23 season at Rayo Vallecano has been a real exhibit for Fran García. So much so that he has just signed for one of the biggest clubs in the world, Real Madrid. From the first Jornada of the season in Vallecas, Fran Garcia established himself as an undisputed starter in the team's lineup, starting in every single one of the 38 games. With him, the team under the orders of Iraola became one of the standout teams of the season. His goals against Atlético de Madrid and FC Barcelona were the icing on the cake of a fantastic year in which his speed and endurance running down the left flank of the Vallecas Stadium have made the 23-year-old one of the best full-backs in LaLiga and one of the great promises of Spanish football.
Álex Baena (Villarreal CF): the talented midfielder has made his mark in LaLiga, establishing himself as a key player in the Yellow Submarine's midfield - especially since the arrival of manager Quique Setién to the bench at the Ciutat de Valencia. In his first season as a starter for the LaLiga outfit, Baena tallied up a total of 6 goals and 3 assists, gracing us with true works of art like his brace against Real Valladolid on the first matchday, or his free-kick goal against Athletic Club, which you can find in our collection of Moments in LaLiga Golazos.
Abde Ezzalzouli (CA Osasuna): on loan from FC Barcelona to the Pamplona club, things could not have gone better for the 21-year-old Moroccan winger. After a slow start, Abde ended up consolidating himself as one of the attacking references of Jagoba Arrasate's "Euro-Osasuna", leaving us with some of the best moments of the season and being a real headache for his rivals. With 4 goals and 2 assists in LaLiga, and a decisive role in the other competitions CA Osasuna took part in this season, Abde's future could be back at FC Barcelona, where he can continue to grow and aspire to higher flights next season.
