La Liga 2025-26 Season Review: Barcelona's Triumph and Quirky Highlights
It was another memorable season for Lamine Yamal and Barcelona, alongside Getafe, Rayo Vallecano, and one mischievous fan. The campaign began with a dramatic moment as Barcelona's new number 10, Lamine Yamal, scored the last kick of the opening game against Mallorca. This was his first goal as an adult, and he celebrated by conducting his own coronation, setting the tone for the title race.
Nine months later, as Barcelona's victory parade rolled through the streets, Yamal held a Palestine flag from the top deck of the bus. Coach Hansi Flick supported his decision, noting that Yamal, now 18, was old enough to make such choices. Despite injuries and an 'internal abyss', as Yamal later admitted, he secured his third league title. Flick, whose father passed away on the morning they won the league, shared his emotional journey with his team, stating he had never felt so much love.
Barcelona effectively sealed the title against city rivals Espanyol with seven games to spare, and mathematically clinched it in week 35, marking the first time in 94 years that a clásico decided the championship. The victory came after a dressing room altercation between Fede Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni, which left Valverde with craniofacial trauma. Marcus Rashford delivered the decisive blow, and Barcelona celebrated their 11th consecutive win, their 23rd in 25 games since the previous clásico.
Earlier in the season, Barcelona faced challenges. In late October, after a loss to Sevilla and a defeat by Real Madrid, Jude Bellingham dismissed Lamine Yamal's talk as 'cheap', and Dani Carvajal mocked him. However, Madrid's own issues emerged as Vinícius Júnior stormed off the pitch. Coach Xabi Alonso's tenure began to unravel, leading to a new manager, Álvaro Arbeloa, who struggled to inspire the team. By May, Madrid were out of European and cup competitions, trailing Barcelona by 12 points. Kylian Mbappé left for Sicily, posting a misguided message during a defeat. President Florentino Pérez held an incoherent press conference, blaming ABC newspaper and cancelling his subscription.
Barcelona won the league and the Super Cup, but missed the European Cup. Villarreal and Athletic Bilbao failed to progress in the Champions League, though San Mamés was the only venue where champions PSG didn't score. Atlético Madrid knocked Barcelona out of both cups but lost to Arsenal in the Champions League semi-final and to Real Sociedad in the Copa del Rey final. Real Sociedad's victory on penalties featured a backup goalkeeper making a crucial save and a former ballboy scoring the winner.
Barcelona, Real Madrid, Atlético, Villarreal (third), and Betis (fifth) qualified for the Champions League. Real Sociedad, Celta Vigo, and Getafe secured European spots. Getafe's manager, Pepe Bordalás, achieved a remarkable turnaround, starting the season with only 13 first-team players and finishing seventh despite low possession and fewest shots.
The relegation battle was intense. Real Oviedo, returning to the top flight after 24 years with Santi Cazorla, were relegated early. The fight to avoid the other two spots went to the final day, with Elche and Girona facing off. Girona, who challenged for the title two years prior, were relegated with 41 points. Mallorca also went down despite a striker scoring 23 goals. Osasuna survived after a tense final day.
The season concluded with Rayo Vallecano losing their first European final in the Conference League, but their fans displayed a banner reading: 'I have known no greater victory than being with you in defeat.'
Awards and Quirky Moments
Most Charming President: Rayo Vallecano's Raúl Martín Presa, who called his own fans 'drunk, brainless, and idle'.
Most Optimistic Owner: Jesús Martínez, who spoke of European places after sacking the manager who kept Oviedo safe; Oviedo soon fell into the relegation zone.
Best Atmosphere: San Mamés, during a match between Euskadi and Palestine.
Best Tifo: Atlético Madrid fans showered the pitch with toilet paper, mimicking a bog-roll shower, but were fined by UEFA and La Liga.
Best Post-Match Singalong: Rayo Vallecano singing 'A Pirate's Life' with CD Yuncos players.
Best Party: Real Sociedad's Copa del Rey victory celebrations, which lasted for days despite a grueling schedule.
Most Nostalgic Fan: Lionel Messi, who slipped into Camp Nou alone one Sunday night in November.
Unluckiest Fan: A Betis supporter who fell at Cédric Bakambu's feet but still didn't get his shirt.
Naughtiest Fan: A mother who spotted her son on a team charter when he was supposed to be at his grandmother's house.
Best Groomed Fans: Celta Vigo fans painted their nails in solidarity with Borja Iglesias after homophobic abuse.
Bluntest Headline: 'Zaragoza are going to shit,' from El Periodico de Aragon.
Best Revenge: Getafe's Borja Mayoral scored twice against his brother's team in an 11-0 Copa del Rey win.
Best Name: Valdemoro's goalkeeper, who was kept busy.
Best Red Card: Granada's Jorge Pascual for calling a linesman 'fucking moustache-face' and gesturing.
Best Dressed Team: Sevilla, wearing hand-me-down kits described as 'grandad's trousers'.
Smelliest Shirt: Real Betis's scratch and sniff jersey, made of oranges and smelling of oranges before games.
Handiest Goalkeeper: Dani Cárdenas, who saved a penalty and the nets.
Best Teammate: Hugo Hard, who accepted being benched because Sadiq was playing like Pelé.
Most Modest Player: Vedat Muriqi, who downplayed comparisons to Lewandowski.
Best Apology: Cucho Hernández apologized to Levante after scoring, but he had never played for them.
Manager of the Year: Iñigo Pérez, who led Rayo Vallecano to their highest finish and a first final despite numerous challenges.
Player of the Year: Lamine Yamal, with 24 goals and 11 assists, leading Barcelona to the title.
Team of the Season: Joan García (Barcelona), Marcos Llorente (Atlético), Florian Lejeune (Rayo), David Affengruber (Elche), Carlos Romero (Espanyol), Fermín López (Barcelona), Luis Milla (Getafe), Pablo Formals (Betis), Lamine Yamal (Barcelona), Vedat Muriqi (Mallorca), Alberto Moleiro (Villarreal). Subs include Aaron Escandell, Eric García, Pedri, and others.
