5 reasons to watch La Liga

Too much awesomeness

Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and James Rodriguez up against Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar equals ‘mind blown’. We dare you to deny it. It’s six of the top 10 attacking talents in the world—on the same field, at the same time. And that’s not counting all the creative juices flowing in midfield—Andres Iniesta, Toni Kroos, Luka Modric, Sergio Busquets.

Eibar

You’re thinking, who? Well, two years ago Eibar was part of Spain's third division. That's right, just two seasons ago (and with no help from oil barons or Asian businessmen). Now, after a spectacular rise inspired by coach Gaizka Garitano, the tiny club is set to play its first game in the top flight in its 74-year-old history. If that's a not a sporting story that can melt hearts, I don't know what is.

The little guy-Atleti

They’re the true underdogs. Feisty, disciplined and unwilling to compromise on winning. If you’re a neutral, choose Atleti. They will not disappoint you. Even when they lose, it would have been a performance to be proud of. A rojiblancos fan can never be brought down because they give as good as they get. They remain a force to be reckoned with.

No match for El Classico, or the Madrid Derby

That’s right, it’s bigger than Liverpool-United and the Manchester Derby. It’s four matches of unrivalled intensity. Pick your team, wear your colours and give the opposition fans grief. And it’s not just brute will in action, some sublime skills are going to be on display. Last season showed how thin the margins can be, especially a win (or loss) against a top team.

Diego Simeone

No manager in the world is as exciting as the Argentine—no, not even the ‘Chosen One’, the ‘Catalan monk’ or the man in charge of United’s ‘new era’. He’s shrewd, creative and will beat up the Goliaths of the Spanish league just for the fun of it. Simeone has made a team that’s greater than the sum of its parts even as Real and Barca expend themselves trying to recover millions in transfer fees. His boys were only a few minutes away from European glory last time around—would not count them out this season.