Away from the headline duels of the coming weekend, Barcelona versus Real Madrid for the league trophy and Luis Suarez against Cristiano Ronaldo for the Pichichi, there is another title to be decided: who will be this season’s pass king?
The fact that this competition goes largely unnoticed is fitting considering its two contenders; the understated but vital components of La Liga’s top two sides, Toni Kroos and Sergio Busquets.
The two midfielders are the cornerstones on which the successes of their respective sides are built, demonstrated by the staggering number of passes they have completed during this season.
Busquets has been more fundamental than ever for Barcelona in 2015/16, often being asked by Luis Enrique to drop deeper in order to act almost as a ball-playing centre back, picking up possession from Gerard Pique or Javier Mascherano before feeding it to the side’s more attacking players.
In this role Busquets has excelled, with his 2,358 completed passes testament to the success.
Kroos has also provided this link between defence and midfield for Real Madrid this season, with Luka Modric given more freedom to roam forward and create chances than ever under Zinedine Zidane.
This task has seen the German create four more passes than Busquets, totaling 2,362.
With the margin between the two so slight, the upcoming games against Granada and Deportivo La Coruna could see either one crowned this season’s pass king, although the unselfish midfielders will undoubtedly be concentrating more on another title come Saturday evening.