It simply couldn't be anyone else: Cristiano Ronaldo has been Real Madrid's best performer yet again.
And that's despite thoroughly vindicated questions over his performances earlier on in the season. A post-injury Ronaldo struggled with his acceleration, was missing his usual sure touch in build-up play and looked a little lost in the transition between genuine wide forward and one with a starting role on the flank but who moved centrally in possession.
As the season has gone on, the questions over those teething problems have not just been eradicated but made a mockery of.
Now a centre-forward in his own right, Ronaldo has quickly developed his own way of playing the role, still working wide when he sees the opportunity to do so but relishing being central more frequently simply because he has that self-belief back, stemming from his first touch and lethal finish.
He has stormed big games—Atletico, Bayern, Kashima Antlers, Sevilla, Malaga to wrap up the title—and he has swallowed smaller teams whole at times.
A 40-goal season once again puts him firmly in the running for major individual honours, as well as the team ones he continues to contribute heavily to, and the new version of Ronaldo as one of two strikers is a whole new level of nightmare for defenders.
It took some time, but Ronaldo is someone worth persevering with, and in 2016/17, he once more proved to be Real Madrid's finest.
