Yamal, Mbappe and Muriqi Named in LaLiga Team of the Season as Lookman Misses Out Despite Atletico Madrid Form

The official 2025/2026 LaLiga EA Sports Team of the Season has been unveiled, drawing considerable attention not only for those included but for the high-profile omissions that have followed.

Barcelona and Real Madrid account for the bulk of the selected players, with contributions from Atletico Madrid, Villarreal, and Mallorca rounding out the XI. Barcelona’s Joan García earned recognition between the posts following a breakthrough campaign, with a defensive unit featuring Eric Garcia, Villarreal’s Mourino, Marcos Llorente, and Carlos Romero lining up in front of him.

The midfield is anchored by Real Madrid pair Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni — the latter recently making headlines alongside Valverde following a reported training centre altercation — while the attacking positions are filled by three of the division’s most prolific contributors this term.

Kylian Mbappe leads the LaLiga scoring charts with 24 goals, with Mallorca’s Vedat Muriqi close behind on 22. Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal, meanwhile, has contributed 16 goals and 11 assists across the campaign. All three were recognised for what have been described as “outstanding individual campaigns” in the official selection.

The most debated element of the announcement, however, is the exclusion of Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman. The Nigerian international joined Atletico Madrid during the January transfer window and has registered a series of impressive performances since his arrival in the Spanish capital. Nevertheless, the selection process ultimately penalised his limited time in the division.

Having played less than half of a full LaLiga season, Lookman did not accumulate sufficient minutes to compete with players who had been consistent contributors across the entire 2025/26 campaign. The committee is understood to have prioritised longevity and sustained output over short-term impact when finalising the roster.

Lookman’s omission arrives in the context of growing recognition for Nigerian talent across European football. A separate report from 14 May 2026 noted that another Super Eagles striker ended a 12-year wait for a Nigerian milestone after scoring his 10th LaLiga goal, underscoring the increasing footprint of Nigerian players in Spain’s top flight. A Nigerian coach was also quoted this week backing Lookman to “dominate La Liga” across a full season next term.

With the 2025/26 LaLiga season approaching its conclusion, attention is turning to what the summer holds for the clubs involved. For Lookman and Atletico Madrid, a complete 38-game schedule next season would give the forward the platform to build the kind of sustained case that TOTS selectors require. His January integration has provided an encouraging foundation; the argument for inclusion in 2027’s equivalent honours will need to be constructed from the very first matchday.