Sergi Altimira

Key strength: Ball retention

Deep-lying playmaker

Real Betis Balompié are quietly stirring in La Liga's congested mid-table. Sitting 11th but riding a promising WLWDW run, Manuel Pellegrini's side are eyeing a late European surge—and the engine driving this resurgence is 24-year-old Sergi Altimira. The Barcelona academy graduate has been Pellegrini's most trusted lieutenant this campaign, amassing 37 appearances and over 2,000 minutes of tireless service in the number 6 shirt. While his 2 goals and 2 assists won't dominate highlight reels, Altimira's influence pulses deeper: as a disciplined box-to-box metronome with 70% passing accuracy, he's the vital bridge linking Betis's backline to their creative spark plugs Fábio Carvalho and Abde Ezzalzouli. That remarkable discipline—just three yellow cards across a grueling season—speaks to maturity beyond his years. With a €20 million market value now attached to his name, Altimira embodies a rare breed in modern football: the reliable heartbeat who dominates through consistency rather than flash. As Betis dream of continental nights, their understated midfield general may be their most valuable asset.