The LaLiga - is it the pinnacle of Spanish football?
When it comes to football leagues, the LaLiga certainly ranks among the best. This league, which is the elite division of professional football in Spain, was founded back in 1929. Since then, LaLiga has become the symbol and pride of Spanish football. Spain, with its rich football history, ranks second among the football leagues of the world. In the LaLiga, teams compete 38 times a season, playing in their home and away stadiums, totalling 380 exciting matches. The scoring system is simple: 3 points for a win, 1 for a draw, and, unfortunately, 0 for a defeat. If the points are equal, the number of wins, then goal difference and other criteria become decisive.
Who dominates the LaLiga?
As of 2023, Real Madrid is the all-time leader in terms of LaLiga wins, with 34 titles to their credit. Their last trophy was won in 2020 when they beat their main rivals, FC Barcelona.
However, apart from them, the names of clubs such as FC Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, Valencia CF, Sevilla FC, and Real Sociedad shine brightly in the history of the league. These teams are not just in the championship, they are the face of it.
What's in store for us next league season?
The information has been confirmed. Next season, La Liga will indeed consist of 20 teams. Of these, 17 teams are the best teams from last season, and 3 teams have been promoted from the Segunda División. The newcomers to the league this season are Granada, Las Palmas, and Alaves. They are ready to show their best football in the main arena of the country.
LaLiga: Steps to the European arenas
In addition to glory and recognition, winning the LaLiga opens the door to European tournaments. The top four teams in the league receive a direct invitation to the group stage of the UEFA Champions League. Teams placed fifth and sixth qualify for the UEFA Europa League and UEFA Europa Conference League, respectively. When a team wins the Copa del Rey, they also earn a spot in the Europa League. However, if the Copa del Rey winner has already secured a Champions League spot through their La Liga position, their Europa League spot is passed on to the next highest-ranked team in La Liga.
Furthermore, LaLiga operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the Segunda División. Each season, the three lowest-placed teams in LaLiga are relegated to the Segunda División, and the top two teams from the Segunda División, along with the winner of a playoff among the next four ranked teams, are promoted to LaLiga.
Stars that make the LaLiga special
Among the players who have left their mark on the LaLiga, Lionel Messi stands out in particular. He scored 474 goals, all for FC Barcelona, and set a league record by scoring 50 goals in the 2011-2012 season and is the only player to ever win the league's top scorer award in eight different seasons. But it's not just the players that make the league special. The tournament has a total prize fund of €2 billion and the winner gets €150 million.