So that’s it for another season (barring the Spanish and Champions League cup finals), Real Madrid taking the league title for the first time in 5 years after winning both their games this week! On Wednesday they finally got to play that game in hand at Celta which had been dragging on since February, a 1-4 victory with two from Ronaldo and another from Benzema taking them three points clear of Barcelona. And on Sunday they beat Málaga 0-2 to put the championship beyond the reach of Luis Enrique’s side, Ronaldo ending any hopes of a nail-biting finale with a goal in the opening minutes, and Benzema wrapping things up after the break. Barça themselves appeared to be shell-shocked by that opener from Ronaldo, and they allowed Eibar’s Inui to score twice in the Nou Camp before they rallied to win 4-2 in the end. Messi got two of those (including a penalty) after an own goal and a Luis Suárez strike had made it all square, and he will be taking the European Golden Shoe for the fourth time in his career after falling just one short of a goal a game in the league.

Earlier in the evening though there was a bit of excitement when Real Sociedad squeezed past neighbours Athletic in to the second Europa League spot following a last gasp 2-2 draw at Celta. Juanmi headed the equalizer for the visitors in the fourth minute of time added on, but before that Iago Aspas had converted a penalty to make sure of this season’s “Zarra” prize as the top scoring Spanish player. Athletic themselves lost 3-1 at third placed Atlético, Fernando Torres getting two for the locals there, and the Basque side now have to hope that Alavés lose the cup final to Barcelona to free up a third Europa League place. Elsewhere there with five games with nothing to play for but pride, Rubén Castro (Betis) and Andone (Deportivo) helping themselves to a brace each to end the season in our rankings. (23.05.17)

PS. Messi extended his lead at the top of the goalscorers chart after scoring in Barcelona’s Copa del Rey final victory, and he wins the “Pichichi” award for the fifth time. Neymar and Paco Alcácer also netted in that match, with Theo Hernández replying for opponents Alavés. Messi ended the season as top scorer in the domestic league and cup, although he was deprived of that honour in the Champions League after Ronaldo scored twice in the final to finish with twelve goals, one more than his rival. Casemiro and Marco Asensio were also on target in a 4-1 win over Juventus to give Real Madrid their twelfth European title. (03.06.17)

Pichichi League Cup ** Europe * Total (Penalties)
Messi (Barcelona) 37 6 11 54 (9)
Ronaldo (Real Madrid) 25 1 16 42 (7)
Luis Suárez (Barcelona) 29 5 3 37 (0)
Iago Aspas (Celta) 19 2 5 26 (8)
Griezmann (Atlético) 16 4 6 26 (2)
Aduríz (Athletic) 16 1 7 24 (8)
Morata (Real Madrid) 15 2 3 20 (0)
Neymar (Barcelona) 13 3 4 20 (4)
Benzema (Real Madrid) 11 1 7 19 (0)
Ben Yedder (Sevilla) 11 5 2 18 (3)
Sandro (Málaga) 14 2 0 16 (0)
Gameiro (Atlético) 12 2 2 16 (2)
Juanmi (Real Sociedad) 11 4 0 15 (0)
Willian José (Real Soc) 12 2 0 14 (3)
Raúl García (Athletic) 10 3 1 14 (3)
Carrasco (Atlético) 10 2 2 14 (0)
Rubén Castro (Betis) 13 0 0 13 (2)
Gerard Moreno (Espanyol) 13 0 0 13 (0)
Arda Turan (Barcelona) 3 6 4 13 (0)
Andone (Deportivo) 12 0 0 12 (0)
Sergi Enrich (Eibar) 11 1 0 12 (0)
Bakambu (Villarreal) 11 1 0 12 (0)
Pedro León (Eibar) 10 1 0 11 (1)
Isco (Real Madrid) 10 0 1 11 (0)
James (Real Madrid) 8 3 0 11 (1)
Sarabia (Sevilla) 8 2 1 11 (1)

* Includes Club World Cup
** Includes Spanish Super Cup