Ranking the 10 best players in La Liga

Weighing both current form and pedigree, here's a list of La Liga's top 10 players this season.

Master of the pass and ever the visionary, Toni Kroos remains among the finest players in La Liga due, in part, to his tireless defensive work rate and penchant for crafting chances at Real Madrid. It's no coincidence that Kroos is La Liga's assist leader thus far this season, having crafted five chances in 11 matches.

Yannick Ferreira-Carrasco is a newcomer to this list but a player who certainly has earned his place in the upper echelons of Spain's La Liga; with five goals and a pair of assists for Atletico Madrid, Carrasco is turning heads in 2016, with a hat-trick against Granada contributing to his 12 goals thus far this year.

Barcelona's captain remains an eternal figure at the Camp Nou. Ageless and mesmerizing on the field, Andres Iniesta combines clever turns, flicks and tricks with intricate passing and movement. It makes him a nuisance to some and a maestro to those clad in blue and red stripes.

Few midfielders in La Liga can dribble and pass with as much range and skill as Luka Modric, who has made a career of squirming past his markers and splitting defensive lines with through-ball passes. His penchant for long-range goals is a huge bonus, one that makes him the heart of Real Madrid's midfield.

The heart and soul of Atletico Madrid's attack, Antoine Griezmann made headlines this year for his performances with France at Euro 2016. But, he has been equally effective for his club, scoring six goals and notching four assists thus far this year.

Make no mistake about it; Barcelona's Brazilian star Neymar may be fifth in this list today but he will be in the conversation for the world's undisputed No. 1 by the end of the decade. At only 24, Neymar can count himself among the planet's best already, after all.

Like Neymar opposite him, Gareth Bale is the heir apparent to the triumvirate throne of his team, the youngest of the "BBC" trio at Real Madrid and the future of Florentino Perez's side. His days behind one particular Portuguese star grow fewer each season.

It seems surreal that Cristiano Ronaldo could fall to third in this list, considering the myriad of silverware he procured for club and country in 2016; however, Ronaldo has visibly lost a touch of pace and his production has dropped for it.

In another life, Luis Suarez would be the undisputed king of goal-scoring in La Liga, but alas, he has been overshadowed - in this list, and on the field - by his teammate at Barcelona. Still, Suarez boasts a nose for goal that is unmatched by all, except perhaps the diminutive Argentine he calls friend.

There could only be one player atop this list and, as usual, it's Lionel Messi, who has not let injury or international absences hamper his season. Messi has been a force, as ever, leading the scoring charts with his strange new blond hairdo and all-black leg tattoo.