Barcelona will begin the 2026/27 LaLiga campaign seeking a third consecutive championship, something Pep Guardiola’s team last achieved from 2009 to 2011. Jose Mourinho’s return to Real Madrid adds a major challenge as the capital club attempts to halt Barcelona’s recent supremacy.
Quick facts
- Barcelona have captured the past two LaLiga titles.
- Spain won last month’s FIFA World Cup with several Barcelona players involved.
- Real Madrid have changed coaches four times in 12 months before reappointing Mourinho.
- Madrid lead Barcelona 36-29 in total league titles, although Barcelona have won 13 of the last 25 championships to Real Madrid’s seven.
- Marc Cucurella and Yasser Diomande have joined Mourinho’s squad.
Barcelona’s latest success has come alongside a strong World Cup campaign, while Madrid enter another rebuild under Mourinho. The Portuguese coach has been given Cucurella and Diomande as he tries to reduce the historic gap between the clubs.
Barcelona’s defence is set to be built around Pau Cubarsi after Ronald Araujo completed a move to Liverpool. The 19-year-old La Masia product is valued for his anticipation and ability to play out from the back, with experienced defender Andreas Christensen expected to operate beside him.
Ferran Torres is being asked to replace Robert Lewandowski, who has moved to Chicago Fire in Major League Soccer. Torres scored 21 times last season and claimed the decisive goal in the World Cup final.
Hamza Abdelkarim may also feature in the attack. The 18-year-old Egyptian, who is on loan from Al Ahly before a permanent transfer, became the youngest player to make a World Cup debut for his country.
Lamine Yamal, the reigning LaLiga Player of the Year, led Barcelona with 16 league goals last term despite sitting out ten games because of injury. He scored once at the World Cup, but his displays improved during the latter stages of the tournament.
Barcelona plan to monitor Yamal’s minutes closely. Karim Adeyemi, who received his first Germany cap under Hansi Flick, has expanded the club’s wide options, while Anthony Gordon also remains available after being judged the quickest player in last season’s Champions League by the CIES Football Observatory in Switzerland.
Fermin Lopez and Raphinha are considered fit again after missing the World Cup and suffering a hamstring problem respectively. Gavi has also recovered following injury disruptions in two of the past three seasons.
Barcelona will nevertheless be without Frenkie de Jong until around November as he recovers from a knee injury. Roony Bardghji faces an even longer lay-off after a knee issue ruled him out for the entire season.
Atletico Madrid, managed by Diego Simeone, have added Alejandro Grimaldo, Morten Hjulmand and Kang-in Lee as they seek to join Barcelona and Real Madrid as credible title challengers. Their ability to maintain that level over a full season remains uncertain.
Villarreal, Real Betis, Real Sociedad, Celta Vigo and Getafe are expected to compete for the European places below the leading contenders. Athletic Club, meanwhile, will target a return to continental football.
