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La Liga 2025-26 kicks off this Friday, and the Spanish top flight promises another season packed with drama, rivalry, and storylines that could reshape the league’s hierarchy. With Real Madrid determined to reclaim the title from Barcelona, Atletico Madrid reshaping their squad, and Real Oviedo returning to the top tier after more than two decades, the new campaign offers no shortage of intrigue.
Here are five key talking points as the season gets underway.
1. Alonso’s Challenge at Real Madrid
Real Madrid enters a new era with Xabi Alonso at the helm after Carlo Ancelotti’s departure. Last season was a humbling one for Los Blancos, as they were outclassed by rivals Barcelona in all four meetings, suffering defeats in La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Super Cup. Barcelona’s domestic treble underscored Madrid’s shortcomings, and the board decided a fresh approach was needed.
Alonso, a beloved former midfielder with an emerging managerial reputation, faces the challenge of reviving Madrid’s dominance despite inheriting a squad full of stars like Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior.
Madrid’s pre-season preparation has been far from ideal. A 4-0 loss to Paris Saint-Germain in the Club World Cup semi-finals has raised questions about squad fatigue and readiness for the league opener. While defensive reinforcements have arrived — Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dean Huijsen — and Dani Carvajal returns from a long-term knee injury, the midfield looks thin. Luka Modric’s departure leaves a void in experience, and Jude Bellingham will be sidelined until October after shoulder surgery.
Whether Alonso can balance Madrid’s attacking firepower with tactical discipline will be central to their title challenge.
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2. Can Lamine Yamal Maintain His World-Class Level?
At just 18 years old, Lamine Yamal is already a cornerstone of Barcelona’s attack. Last season, the teenager’s skill, composure, and creativity lit up the league, helping the Catalans secure the title under Hansi Flick. With over 100 club appearances to his name before reaching adulthood, Yamal’s rise has been meteoric.
In July, Yamal took over Lionel Messi’s iconic number 10 shirt, a symbolic passing of the torch. But he insists on forging his own path rather than living in Messi’s shadow. After helping Spain win Euro 2024, Yamal will be aiming to sustain his high standards throughout a grueling season — one that also leads into the 2026 World Cup.
Barcelona’s rebuilt Camp Nou will provide the backdrop for their title defense. If Marcus Rashford, the club’s high-profile summer signing, adapts quickly, Flick may be able to give Yamal strategic rests, shifting Raphinha to the right flank when needed. However, the expectation will still fall heavily on Yamal to be the creative spark in Barcelona’s push for both domestic and European glory.
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3. Atletico Madrid’s Reshuffle Under Simeone
After a disappointing end to last season — including a shock group-stage exit from the Club World Cup — Diego Simeone and Atletico Madrid have opted for change. Several long-serving players, including Angel Correa, Rodrigo De Paul, and Saul Niguez, have departed.
In their place, Atletico have brought in Alex Baena from Villarreal and Johnny Cardoso from Real Betis to add midfield dynamism, alongside other new recruits to freshen the squad. Simeone remains one of the most respected managers in world football — and the highest-paid in Europe — but questions about whether he can deliver another league title persist.
In the past decade, Atletico have won just three major trophies: the 2021 La Liga title, the 2018 Europa League, and the 2018 UEFA Super Cup. With Real and Barca strengthening, Simeone’s margin for error is slimmer than ever. Early results will be key in determining whether Atletico can keep pace or face another season on the fringes of the title race.
After a disappointing end to last season — including a shock-group-stage-exit-from-the-Club-World-Cup-
4. Santi Cazorla’s Oviedo Fairy Tale
Some stories transcend the usual football headlines, and Santi Cazorla’s return to Real Oviedo is one of them. At 40 years old, the Spanish midfield legend has signed a one-year deal to play in Oviedo’s first La Liga campaign in 24 years.
Cazorla’s career has been remarkable — and at times, nearly over. During his stint at Arsenal, a devastating ankle injury led to multiple surgeries, at one point threatening the loss of his right leg. Yet, against all odds, he not only returned to professional football but continued to excel.
When he rejoined Oviedo, Cazorla initially offered to play for free, but league regulations required he accept the minimum wage. His leadership and technical ability were instrumental in their promotion, and he will now face the emotional task of leading them against some of Spain’s biggest clubs.
Oviedo open their season against Cazorla’s former side, Villarreal, in what will be a poignant start to the campaign. While it’s uncertain how much he can physically contribute over the long haul, Cazorla’s presence alone will be worth the price of admission for fans across Spain.
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5. Fresh Starts for Real Sociedad and Sevilla
Two of Spain’s most established clubs are entering new eras after disappointing 2024-25 seasons. Real Sociedad parted ways with Imanol Alguacil after seven successful years, replacing him with reserve team coach Sergio Francisco. His appointment signals a desire to maintain the club’s identity while introducing fresh ideas. However, Sociedad will have to cope with the departure of key midfielder Martin Zubimendi, who has joined Arsenal — a significant blow to their midfield stability.
Meanwhile, Sevilla barely avoided relegation last season, finishing 17th. They sacked Francesco Garcia Pimienta in April and have now turned to Matias Almeyda to steer the club back toward competitiveness. Almeyda, known for his high-energy playing style and motivational skills, will need to inspire a squad that underperformed badly last season.
Both clubs have strong fan bases and histories of European success, but the road back to the top half of the table will not be easy. Early results will be crucial in setting the tone for the season ahead.
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Conclusion — A Season Full of Questions
The 2025-26 La Liga season arrives with as many questions as it does expectations. Can Xabi Alonso restore Real Madrid’s dominance and navigate a midfield crisis? Will Lamine Yamal shoulder the burden of Barcelona’s attack without burning out? Can Diego Simeone’s reshaped Atletico finally mount a sustained title challenge?
Will Santi Cazorla’s Oviedo fairy tale end with survival in the top flight? And can Real Sociedad and Sevilla’s new managers reverse their clubs’ declines?
The answers will unfold over the coming months, but one thing is certain: Spanish football’s mix of tradition, tactical innovation, and star power ensures that the journey will be as captivating as the destination.
As the first matches kick off this Friday, fans from Madrid to Barcelona, Seville to San Sebastián, and Oviedo to Villarreal will unite in anticipation — ready for another rollercoaster season of La Liga.
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