CORNERFLICK
**The new La Liga season gets underway today, bringing with it a fresh crop of storylines and controversy. ** The 2026-27 La Liga season kicks off this week, with plenty of storylines surrounding Barcelona and Real Madrid, as well as many of the other clubs competing in Spain’s top flight.
One of the notable changes this season is that neither Barcelona nor Real Madrid will feature in the opening fixture. The league has opted for a staggered start to give clubs whose players progressed deep into this summer’s World Cup additional time to rest and recover.
The opening match will take place on Saturday at 7:30pm local time (9:30pm Tehran time), with Alaves hosting Getafe. Barcelona, the defending champions, had eight players in Spain’s World Cup-winning squad and will begin their title defence away to Elche on Sunday. Meanwhile, Jose Mourinho’s first game of his second spell in charge of Real Madrid will come away to Espanyol on Saturday.
Who will win the title?
Barcelona are in an excellent position. They have won the title in each of the past two seasons under Hansi Flick and finished last season 12 points clear of Real Madrid.
However, the only team to win three consecutive La Liga titles in the 21st century was Pep Guardiola’s formidable Barcelona side between 2009 and 2011. It was Jose Mourinho who ended that run during his first spell at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Real Madrid have made significant changes to their squad this summer, spending €240 million ($277 million) on the signings of Leny Yoro, Marc Cucurella, Bernardo Silva, Denzel Dumfries, Ibrahima Konate and Carlos Espy. Vinicius Junior’s contract renewal, despite Arsenal’s interest in signing him, has also left Madrid with an abundance of attacking options.
Barcelona, meanwhile, are still looking to strengthen their forward line. Following Robert Lewandowski’s departure, while Fran Torres, scorer in the World Cup final, has moved to Paris Saint-Germain, the club’s new signings — Anthony Gordon, who joined from Newcastle United for €80 million, and Karim Adeyemi, signed from Borussia Dortmund for €22 million — are likely to have plenty of opportunities to showcase their ability.
The top four?
Securing Champions League qualification for a 15th consecutive season under Diego Simeone should not be too difficult for Atletico Madrid, regardless of whether Julian Alvarez, a Barcelona target, remains at the Metropolitano or leaves the club.
Villarreal finished third last season, above Atletico, and will begin the new campaign under an intriguing new manager in Inigo Perez, although the club have so far been relatively quiet in the summer transfer market.
Real Betis finished fifth last season to qualify for the Champions League, meaning Manuel Pellegrini’s side will have at least eight additional matches to manage.
One team capable of springing a surprise is Celta Vigo. The club have a strong contingent of academy graduates and continue to progress under Claudio Giraldez, one of their own coaching products.
Which teams should we be watching?
Real Madrid’s trip to Real Sociedad, scheduled for the rearranged fixture on Wednesday, August 26, is arguably the most eye-catching game.
Mourinho’s first match back at the Santiago Bernabeu is likely to attract huge interest, particularly given the divisions and controversies that emerged during his first spell between 2010 and 2013, as well as his conduct when he faced Real Madrid in the Champions League last season as Benfica manager.
Real Sociedad, managed by American coach Pellegrino Matarazzo, could provide an early stern test for Madrid. The San Sebastian club won the Copa del Rey last season and have Spain’s starting centre-forward, Mikel Oyarzabal, in their ranks.
Real Madrid have been far from convincing in pre-season and struggled to create chances even in Wednesday’s 1-0 victory over Deportivo La Coruna. However, most of their key stars, including Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham, have yet to feature following their late return from the World Cup.
The staggered start could work in Madrid’s favour, and a convincing victory over a strong side such as Real Sociedad would provide the perfect launchpad for Mourinho’s second spell in charge at the Bernabeu.
Best transfer window
Following the arrival of US investment giant Apollo Sports Capital as part of Atletico Madrid’s ownership group in March, the club have spent more than €100 million on experienced internationals including Morten Hjulmand, Lee Kang-in and Alejandro Grimaldo.
Tottenham defender Cristian Romero, a long-standing Atletico target, is also expected to join the club.
Yet all of that activity has been overshadowed by the Julian Alvarez saga. Barcelona believe the Argentina forward wants to join them, but Atletico are unwilling to sell him for a fee close to the €100 million Barcelona are currently able to pay.
It is difficult to determine what would be the better decision for Atletico: keeping an unhappy player or allowing the club’s best talent to leave once the season is already under way.
Worst transfer window
Luis Milla was one of La Liga’s best midfielders last season, so losing him, along with his long-time midfield partner Mauro Arambarri, in the same transfer window appears to be a major blow — particularly with Getafe entering the new campaign in the Conference League.
Surprise package?
Athletic Bilbao endured much of last season with a sense of frustration, partly because star forward Nico Williams struggled to reach full fitness.
Their new manager is Edin Terzic, the former Borussia Dortmund boss. For a club famous for its policy of fielding only players born or developed in the Basque Country, turning once again to a coach from outside its own system represents a significant change.
Terzic certainly has plenty of talent at his disposal. Unai Simon, Spain’s World Cup-winning goalkeeper, and experienced defender Aymeric Laporte will be joined by young midfielders such as Mikel Jauregizar and Peio Canales.
Canales has returned after an impressive loan spell at Racing Santander, who won the second division last season and will compete in La Liga this campaign.
Potential disappointment?
Sevilla and Valencia have effectively been competing with each other for this unwanted title over the past few seasons. Both are major clubs that have struggled with financial problems for years, making it increasingly difficult for them to match their performances with supporters’ expectations.
Sevilla’s situation is the more worrying of the two. Key players from last season, including forward Akor Adams and young right-back Juanlu, have left the club this summer.
Their biggest investment so far has been the €6.5 million signing of Scotland Under-21 striker Robbie Ure from Swedish club IK Sirius.
Valencia have also been forced to make a series of moves in an attempt to manage their situation, although there is considerable excitement at Mestalla over the arrival of 19-year-old Japanese forward Ryunosuke Sato from FC Tokyo.
How are the promoted sides shaping up?
Racing Santander, Deportivo La Coruna and Malaga are all historic clubs returning to Spain’s top flight after lengthy absences, periods during which all three experienced considerable turmoil and difficulties off the pitch.
Deportivo have spent the most of the three so far. Leo Roman, signed from Mallorca, is an excellent goalkeeper, while Jonathan Asp Jensen from Bayern Munich and Bright Edeh from Motor Lublin are two promising young additions.
The most intriguing Deportivo signing, however, is 37-year-old former Borussia Dortmund, Arsenal and Barcelona forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who has joined from Marseille.
When will Mourinho’s first controversy come?
Mourinho’s previous spell in charge at the Santiago Bernabeu was packed with controversy and confrontation. At the time, he repeatedly clashed with referees, journalists, rival managers and even his own players.
The 63-year-old has so far been unusually calm since returning to the Spanish capital. There has been no major presentation for the media or local supporters, and he has not given interviews to any outlets outside the club’s official media channels.
Still, few people inside or outside the Bernabeu doubt that Mourinho will eventually explode at some point during the season — most likely after an unexpected defeat or a controversial refereeing decision goes against his team.
But if Real Madrid can start the campaign with a run of positive results and major victories, perhaps, just perhaps, Mourinho’s return to La Liga can remain peaceful for a while longer...
At least for a while.