In Spanish football, La Liga is the top divisional competition.
La Liga was established in 1929 and is contested by 20 teams. At the conclusion of each season, the three teams with the lowest rankings are demoted to the Segunda Division. Two teams with the highest rankings in Segunda Division and a winner of a play-off in the second division league take the place of the three relegated teams.The teams that secure the top-four positions in La Liga earn direct qualification for the UEFA Champions League on an annual basis.
La Liga has seen participation from a total of 62 teams since its establishment. It is noteworthy that the highest level of Spanish football has only seen nine distinct victors.
La Liga was suspended during the period of 1936 to 1939 owing to the Spanish civil war.
The record for the most consecutive titles in La Liga is held by Real Madrid. Los Blancos achieved five successive La Liga titles from 1960 to 1965 and replicated the accomplishment from 1985 to 1990.
Who was the first La Liga champion?
The inaugural edition of La Liga was won by FC Barcelona in 1929. The first iteration of La Liga consisted of 10 teams. The championship was secured by the Blaugrana following their triumph over Real Union in the ultimate round of the Liga. The team from Barcelona obtained a total of 25 points after playing 18 matches, thus surpassing their main competitors, Real Madrid, by a margin of two points.The Catalan giants have won the championship 26 times since that time.
Who has the most La Liga titles to their name?
List of Most La Liga winners 🏆:
| Teams | Spanish Titles | Most Recent League Win |
|---|---|---|
| Real Madrid | 35 | 2021-22 |
| Barcelona | 26 | 2018-19 |
| Atletico Madrid | 11 | 2020-21 |
| Athletic Club | 8 | 1983-84 |
| Valencia | 6 | 2003-04 |
| Real Sociedad | 2 | 1981-82 |
| Deportivo La Coruna | 1 | 1999-00 |
| Sevilla | 1 | 1945-46 |
| Real Betis | 1 | 1934-35 |
Real Madrid holds the record for the most La Liga titles won, with a total of 35 victories, making them the most decorated team in the league. The current titleholders of La Liga are the Los Blancos, having secured the championship for the 2021-22 season.
Real Madrid has won 35 LaLiga titles, making them the most successful team in the league’s history. In comparison, Barcelona has won 26 titles. The Catalans, on the other hand, have been making progress. Barcelona has secured 8 titles since Pep Guardiola’s appointment as Head Coach at Camp Nou in 2008, while Real Madrid has won 4.
Atletico Madrid has secured the highest number of triumphs among the other teams, with a total of 11 victories. Athletic Club and Valencia follow closely behind as the next most successful teams. LaLiga has been won twice by Real Sociedad, while Depor, Sevilla, and Betis have each claimed the title once. Real Madrid has won 35 LaLiga titles, making them the most successful team in the league’s history. In comparison, Barcelona has won 26 titles. The Catalans, on the other hand, have been making progress. Barcelona has secured 8 titles since Pep Guardiola’s appointment as Head Coach at Camp Nou in 2008, while Real Madrid has won 4.
Atletico Madrid has secured 11 victories, leading the pack of the most successful teams. Following closely behind are Athletic Club and Valencia. LaLiga has been won twice by Real Sociedad, whereas Depor, Sevilla, and Betis have each claimed the title once.
List of La liga Champions (1929-2023):
| Year | Teams |
|---|---|
| 2022–2023 | FC Barcelona |
| 2021–2022 | Real Madrid |
| 2020–2021 | Atlético Madrid |
| 2019–2020 | Real Madrid |
| 2018–2019 | FC Barcelona |
| 2017–2018 | FC Barcelona |
| 2016–2017 | Real Madrid |
| 2015–2016 | FC Barcelona |
| 2014–2015 | FC Barcelona |
| 2013–2014 | Atlético Madrid |
| 2012–2013 | FC Barcelona |
| 2011–2012 | Real Madrid |
| 2010–2011 | FC Barcelona |
| 2009–2010 | FC Barcelona |
| 2008–2009 | FC Barcelona |
| 2007–2008 | Real Madrid |
| 2006–2007 | Real Madrid |
| 2005–2006 | FC Barcelona |
| 2004–2005 | FC Barcelona |
| 2003–2004 | Valencia |
| 2002–2003 | Real Madrid |
| 2001–2002 | Valencia |
| 2000–2001 | Real Madrid |
| 1999–2000 | Deportivo La Coruña |
| 1998–1999 | FC Barcelona |
| 1997–1998 | FC Barcelona |
| 1996–1997 | Real Madrid |
| 1995–1996 | Atlético Madrid |
| 1994–1995 | Real Madrid |
| 1993–1994 | FC Barcelona |
| 1992–1993 | FC Barcelona |
| 1991–1992 | FC Barcelona |
| 1990–1991 | FC Barcelona |
| 1989–1990 | Real Madrid |
| 1988–1989 | Real Madrid |
| 1987–1988 | Real Madrid |
| 1986–1987 | Real Madrid |
| 1985–1986 | Real Madrid |
| 1984–1985 | FC Barcelona |
| 1983–1984 | Athletic Bilbao |
| 1982–1983 | Athletic Bilbao |
| 1981–1982 | Real Sociedad |
| 1980–1981 | Real Sociedad |
| 1979–1980 | Real Madrid |
| 1978–1979 | Real Madrid |
| 1977–1978 | Real Madrid |
| 1976–1977 | Atlético Madrid |
| 1975–1976 | Real Madrid |
| 1974–1975 | Real Madrid |
| 1973–1974 | FC Barcelona |
| 1972–1973 | Atlético Madrid |
| 1971–1972 | Real Madrid |
| 1970–1971 | Valencia |
| 1969–1970 | Atlético Madrid |
| 1968–1969 | Real Madrid |
| 1967–1968 | Real Madrid |
| 1966–1967 | Real Madrid |
| 1965–1966 | Atlético Madrid |
| 1964–1965 | Real Madrid |
| 1963–1964 | Real Madrid |
| 1962–1963 | Real Madrid |
| 1961–1962 | Real Madrid |
| 1960–1961 | Real Madrid |
| 1959–1960 | FC Barcelona |
| 1958–1959 | FC Barcelona |
| 1957–1958 | Real Madrid |
| 1956–1957 | Real Madrid |
| 1955–1956 | Athletic Bilbao |
| 1954–1955 | Real Madrid |
| 1953–1954 | Real Madrid |
| 1952–1953 | FC Barcelona |
| 1951–1952 | FC Barcelona |
| 1950–1951 | Atlético Madrid |
| 1949–1950 | Atlético Madrid |
| 1948–1949 | FC Barcelona |
| 1947–1948 | FC Barcelona |
| 1946–1947 | Valencia |
| 1945–1946 | Sevilla |
| 1944-1945 | FC Barcelona |
| 1943-1944 | Valencia |
| 1942-1943 | Athletic Bilbao |
| 1941-1942 | Valencia |
| 1940-1941 | Atlético Madrid |
| 1939-1940 | Atlético Madrid |
| 1935–1936 | Athletic Bilbao |
| 1934–1935 | Real Betis |
| 1933–1934 | Athletic Bilbao |
| 1932–1933 | Real Madrid |
| 1931–1932 | Real Madrid |
| 1930–1931 | Athletic Bilbao |
| 1929–1930 | Athletic Bilbao |
| 1929 | FC Barcelona |
The longest Champions streaks (3+ in a row) in LaLiga
Real Madrid achieved a consecutive winning streak of 5 titles from 1960-61 to 1964-65.
Prior to the 1960s, no team had secured three consecutive Spanish league titles, despite Athletic Club, Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid (also referred to as Atletico Aviacion for their initial two title victories), and Barcelona having triumphantly defended their league titles. However, the Madrid team of the 1960s emerged as a dominant force and achieved this feat. Los Blancos, having triumphed in the initial five installments of the European Cup, proceeded to secure five consecutive victories in the league, with Ferenc Puskás assuming a prominent position and clinching the Pichichi award in three of the five campaigns.
Real Madrid won three championships in a row (1966–1967 to 1968–1969).
In 1965-66, Atletico Madrid prevented Los Blancos from achieving their goal. However, Real Madrid made a comeback and secured the next three titles, resulting in eight league victories within nine seasons under the guidance of Miguel Muñoz. The 1960s witnessed an unparalleled period of dominance in Spanish football by Real Madrid, unlike any other side.
Real Madrid won three championships in a row (1977–1978 to 1979–1980).
Real Madrid had a successful decade in the 1970s, culminating in three consecutive victories. The initial season of the streak concluded with the demise of the esteemed president of the club, Santiago Bernabeu. However, the team, comprising notable players such as Santillana, Vicente del Bosque, and José Antonio Camacho, paid a befitting homage by clinching the championship title consecutively in the subsequent two years.
Real Madrid won five championships in a row (1985–86 to 1989–90).
The decade of the 1980s witnessed two distinct phases, with the Basque clubs exerting their dominance in the first half, followed by the remarkable Quinta del Buitre generation of Real Madrid, who clinched five consecutive league titles, thereby emulating the achievement of the legendary team of the 1960s. The youth team graduates Emilio Butragueño, Manuel Sanchís, Martín Vázquez, Míchel and Miguel Pardeza were integral to the success of Los Blancos, who dominated Spanish football in the latter half of the 1980s.
Barcelona won four titles in a row from 1990–1991 to 1994–1995
The Spanish league has been dominated by two teams lately, but it’s worth noting that Barcelona didn’t become a consistent rival to Real Madrid until Johan Cruyff took over as coach in 1988. Prior to the 1990-91 season, the Catalans had secured only two league titles over a span of 30 years. However, under the guidance of the renowned Dutchman, they established the contemporary Barça identity. This era was marked by four consecutive league title victories and their inaugural European Cup triumph.
Barcelona – three titles in a row (2008-09 to 2010-11)
During the late 1990s and early 2000s, there was a period of relative parity in which no single team exerted dominant control over the competition. During this time, teams such as Valencia and Depor were able to secure victories and claim the trophy for themselves. Pep Guardiola’s dominant Barcelona team, which secured three consecutive league titles from 2008 to 2011, outperformed the competition. The team led by Pep Guardiola, including notable players such as Xavi, Andres Iniesta, and Leo Messi, is widely considered to be one of the greatest club sides in history. However, they were unable to secure the title in Guardiola’s last season due to the resurgence of Real Madrid under the management of Jose Mourinho.
Spanish LaLiga and Copa del Rey double champions
Barcelona has won the championship title eight times, during the years 1951-52, 1952-53, 1958-59, 1997-98, 2008-09, 2014-15, 2015-16, and 2017-18.
Athletic Club has won the championship title five times in the following seasons: 1929-30, 1930-31, 1942-43, 1955-56, and 1983-84.
Real Madrid has won the UEFA Champions League four times, during the seasons of 1961-62, 1974-75, 1979-80, and 1988-89.
Atletico Madrid has won the championship once during the 1995-96 season.
The record for the most Spanish league and cup doubles is held by Barcelona, who have accomplished this feat eight times. Four of these victories were achieved in the 21st Century, following the appointment of Guardiola. Real Madrid has won the league 35 times, however, it has only managed to achieve a domestic double on four occasions. Their reputation precedes them due to their proficiency in clinching the European championship title even in seasons where they fall short of securing the Spanish crown. It is noteworthy that they have yet to achieve the feat of winning all three major titles in a single season.
The conversion rate of Athletic Club is noteworthy as they have won the Copa del Rey in five out of the eight seasons they have won the league. This includes their latest league victory in 1983-84. Atletico Madrid has won the double only once. Their 1995-96 ‘doblete’ campaign is still their finest ever season in terms of silverware. However, the 2013-14 season came very close to matching it.
Spanish Treble Winners
Which team has achieved the feat of winning the LaLiga, Copa del Rey, and Champions League (previously known as the European Cup) in a single season, thus earning the title of Spanish Treble Winners?
Barcelona – two times (2008–09 & 2014–15)
The treble has been completed solely by Barcelona among Spanish teams. The accomplishment was initially achieved during Pep Guardiola’s inaugural season and was subsequently replicated in 2014-15. This was the team’s first season under Luis Enrique and the first time they had the renowned ‘MSN’ trident leading their attack.
The Surprising LaLiga Champions
When was the last time Madrid or Barcelona Club did not win LaLiga?
Atletico Madrid in 2020–2021
The 2013-14 league triumph of Atletico Madrid is noteworthy despite being the third most successful team in Spanish football history. It is even more remarkable than some of the surprise winners in the early 1980s and early 2000s. The occurrence transpired during a period when Barcelona and Real Madrid possessed formidable teams. Atleti, despite having a significantly lower budget than the ‘big two’, managed to achieve an exceptional season under the leadership of Diego Simone. They secured the title with a draw at Camp Nou on the final weekend. The team in question came remarkably close to securing victory in the Champions League, only to be thwarted by their local competitors, Real, in the final match. The league victory was achieved once more during the pandemic-affected 2020-21 season, which was conducted without spectators present.
Valencia in 2003-04
The victories of Atleti in recent times mark the sole occasions post-2004 when the championship title was not secured by Real Madrid or Barcelona. During the period spanning from 1999-00 to 2003-04, the championship was won by A Coruña on one occasion and Valencia on two occasions. Under the guidance of Rafa Benitez, Los Che secured their second championship within a span of three years in 2004. The team that secured Valencia CF’s sixth LaLiga title had undergone significant reconstruction from two years prior.
Who won last LaLiga among the Basque teams?
Athletic Club – 1983-84.
During the initial stages of football in Spain, Basque clubs, particularly Athletic Club, were the dominant force, with the Copa del Rey being the most coveted trophy. The shift in favor of Madrid and Barcelona had already begun upon the resumption of football subsequent to the conclusion of the Spanish Civil War in 1939. The Basque clubs experienced a decline in dominance by the late 1970s. However, they unexpectedly rose to glory once again, winning four consecutive league titles from 1979-80 to 1983-84.
Successive victories in the league were achieved by Real Sociedad, which were then matched by consecutive triumphs for Athletic Club under the leadership of Javier Clemente. The last time a Basque team won the Spanish title was during the 1983-84 season.
However, in 2002-03, Real Sociedad came very close to winning LaLiga and finished in 2nd place, just two points behind Real Madrid.
Spanish football’s improbable runners-up, The nearly Men
The attainment of the top spot in Spanish football is a challenging feat for smaller teams located outside the dominant cities of Madrid and Barcelona, given that only nine distinct clubs have emerged victorious in LaLiga. Depor demonstrated the possibility of achieving the feat by securing the title in Galicia during the early 2000s.
Additionally, five other comparatively smaller clubs have approached the brink of clinching the LaLiga championship, but were unable to claim the top spot and had to settle for second place.
Teams that have never won La Liga but placed second:
Racing Santander – 1930-31
Las Palmas – 1968-69
Real Zaragoza – 1974-75
Sporting Gijon – 1978-79
Villarreal – 2007-08
The following individuals are considered the almost-achievers of Spanish football, with some experiencing heart-wrenching encounters with success that could have permanently altered their respective teams. In the 1930-31 season, the top three teams finished with equal points. Athletic Club emerged as the winner by virtue of a better head-to-head goal difference, beating Racing Santander and Real Sociedad. This season was dominated by teams from the northern region of Spain.
The title has remained within the Spanish mainland. However, Las Palmas, hailing from the Canary Islands, secured an impressive second position in the late 1960s. Nevertheless, they did not pose a significant threat to displace Real Madrid from their top position. Real Zaragoza concluded the 1974-75 season with a comparable outcome as they placed higher than Barcelona, yet significantly behind the titleholders Real Madrid by a margin of 12 points.
Sporting Gijon, led by the prolific scorer Quini, nearly secured a remarkable championship victory four years later. However, their efforts were thwarted once again by Los Blancos, who clinched the title with a four-point lead. Villarreal, a prominent team in Spanish football during the early 21st century, attained the second position in LaLiga for the first time in 2007-08. They were 8 points behind the champions(Real Madrid).
