Lionel Messi heads a list of star-studded names in Kelvin Leong's La Liga Team of the Week.

Gorka Iraizoz - Athletic Bilbao

Any team that beats Real Madrid must have had a very good goalkeeper between the sticks. And that was just what Iraizoz provided for the Basques. A string of superb saves kept his side's early lead intact for the entire game.

Fernando Amorebieta - Athletic Bilbao

He was a giant at the back for Bilbao as he went lunging into tackles which left some of the Los Merengues millionaires writhing in pain. Commanding performance and great vision. Along with Iraizoz, the duo were unbreakable in the face of tough opposition.

Daniel Alves - Barcelona

Alves and Eric Abidal put on a wing-back tutorial session against Sevilla as both players bombarded a helpless Sevilla defence with ease down the flanks. Alves was a constant thorn in attack but it was a neat defensive play that warrants the plaudits.

Eric Abidal - Barcelona

The Frenchman faced up to the in-form Jesus Navas and even managed to outplay him. Defended soundly while also providing the assist which culminated in Barca's fourth goal. Great outing for the former Lyon player.

Abel Gomez - Xerez

Gomez's dead-ball deliveries have been consistent in most games and if half of his pinpoint crosses had been converted by the forwards, Xerez won't be in the relegation zone.

Gonzalo Castro - Mallorca

Nine wins out of nine at home for Mallorca and Castro played his part against Deportivo with another scintillating display down the left wing. Showed great strength to hold off Manuel Pablo and thump his shot into goal.

Juanfran Torres - Osasuna

Osasuna may have struggled throughout the season but Juanfran has tried his valiant best in all their outings to give them the edge. Against fellow strugglers Espanyol on Saturday night, Juanfran drilled a low grounder off a corner to give Jose Antonio Camacho the lead.

Ever Banega - Valencia

His La Liga career started out poorly, with Banega subjected to constant speculation on his future at the club. This season however, the Argentine midfield maestro has been in sensational form. Commanding his fellow team-mates from his midfield anchor role and protecting his back four sturdily.

Lionel Messi - Barcelona

When you are as good as the Argentine star, you don't need a full 90 minutes to prove your worth. Two goals in the final ten minutes to seal the deal for a rampant Barca side helped see off highflying Sevilla.

David Villa - Valencia

One penalty and one from open play. The Spanish hotshot tore the Yellow Submarines apart with his off-the-ball running and was always asking for the ball. Just how much longer can Valencia hold on to this immensely talented striker is the question of the week.

Diego Forlan - Atletico Madrid

Forlan is the reason for Atletico's improvement in form this past few weeks. The Uruguayan hitman's collaboration with Sergio Aguero is back in tandem, and he fired in another cracker for Atletico's first goal before setting Assuncao up for the second with a looping cut-back header.