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Bayern Munich end-of-season awards

By Benjamin Scott

Bayern Munich's players including Bayern Munich's Dutch midfielder Arjen Robben celebrate with the trophy after the German first division Bundesliga football match FC Bayern Munich vs SC Freiburg, his last match for the club, in the southern German city of Munich on May 20, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / Guenter SCHIFFMANN / RESTRICTIONS: DURING MATCH TIME: DFL RULES TO LIMIT THE ONLINE USAGE TO 15 PICTURES PER MATCH AND FORBID IMAGE SEQUENCES TO SIMULATE VIDEO. == RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE == FOR FURTHER QUERIES PLEASE CONTACT DFL DIRECTLY AT 49 69 650050 (Photo credit should read GUENTER SCHIFFMANN/AFP/Getty Images)
Bayern Munich's players including Bayern Munich's Dutch midfielder Arjen Robben celebrate with the trophy after the German first division Bundesliga football match FC Bayern Munich vs SC Freiburg, his last match for the club, in the southern German city of Munich on May 20, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / Guenter SCHIFFMANN / RESTRICTIONS: DURING MATCH TIME: DFL RULES TO LIMIT THE ONLINE USAGE TO 15 PICTURES PER MATCH AND FORBID IMAGE SEQUENCES TO SIMULATE VIDEO. == RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE == FOR FURTHER QUERIES PLEASE CONTACT DFL DIRECTLY AT 49 69 650050 (Photo credit should read GUENTER SCHIFFMANN/AFP/Getty Images) /
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Despite an unspectacular end to the 16-17 season, Bayern Munich still had some standout players. Here are our end-of-season awards.

MUNICH, GERMANY – APRIL 22: Thiago Alcantara of Bayern Muenchen celebrates scoring his side’s second goal during the Bundesliga match between Bayern Muenchen and 1. FSV Mainz 05 at Allianz Arena on April 22, 2017 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Lennart Preiss/Bongarts/Getty Images)
MUNICH, GERMANY – APRIL 22: Thiago Alcantara of Bayern Muenchen celebrates scoring his side’s second goal during the Bundesliga match between Bayern Muenchen and 1. FSV Mainz 05 at Allianz Arena on April 22, 2017 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Lennart Preiss/Bongarts/Getty Images) /

MVP: Thiago

Was there really any doubt about this one? No. Quite simply, 2016-17 was the year of Thiago. The Spaniard not only established himself as the best midfielder (and probably the best player) in a tremendously talented Bayern Munich side, but also confirmed his place as one of the best midfielders across Europe.

The midfield maestro has been included in virtually all Bundesliga teams of the season and in most European teams of the season. He even registered as the third best player in Europe in WhoScored.com’s statistical measurements.

Although his offensive abilities put him amongst the best attacking midfielders in the world, his defensive ability and effort are what really set him apart.

His average of 4.6 interceptions per game was the highest in Europe, while his average of 94.9 passes took the runner-up trophy in its category. This shows that Thiago is much more than an expert playmaker, but a complete midfielder.

Thiago is integral to Bayern and is surely the centerpiece around which Carlo Ancelotti will build his squad next season. No matter who comes to Munich or who leaves, know this: Thiago Alcantara is not going anywhere.

Runner-up: Robert Lewandowski