Last season in Spain’s LaLiga, Barcelona were practically unstoppable. Under their new coach, Hansi Flick, they won both the LaLiga title and the Copa del Rey (Spain’s national cup competition). That means they did a “domestic double”, which is a big deal in soccer. Even more amazing, they scored 174 goals in 60 matches across all competitions. That’s almost three goals per game — numbers you usually only see in video games!
Barcelona didn’t just win — they dominated their biggest rival, Real Madrid. In fact, in four matches against Real last season, Barcelona scored 16 goals. That’s an average of 4 goals per match against one of the biggest clubs in the world.
But now, the story might change. This season, Real Madrid are going through a huge transformation under their new manager, Xabi Alonso, and they’re promising a “tactical revolution.” In soccer, “tactical revolution” basically means they’re changing how they play — possibly with a fresh style, new strategies, and a lot more energy.
LaLiga
🔵 Barcelona’s Power Squad — and Their New Faces
One of Barcelona’s brightest stars is Lamine Yamal, a teenage soccer phenomenon who already plays like a superstar. Last season, he was key to their success. Alongside him, Barcelona’s attack is stacked with talent:
Robert Lewandowski – one of the best goal-scorers in the world, known for his sharp finishing.
Raphinha – a quick, tricky winger from Brazil.
Dani Olmo – a creative midfielder who can also score.
This summer, Barcelona also added Marcus Rashford on loan from Manchester United. Rashford is famous for his speed and ability to score in big moments. Having him in a squad that’s already so dangerous means they might be even harder to stop in attack.
But not everything is perfect. Barcelona’s defense — especially in big European games — has been questioned. In last year’s Champions League semi-final against Inter Milan, they lost in extra time, partly because of defensive mistakes.
They also have some goalkeeper drama. Longtime first-choice keeper Marc-André ter Stegen has been stripped of the captaincy because of disciplinary issues related to his injury situation. Meanwhile, Barcelona signed Joan Garcia from city rivals Espanyol. This transfer caused tension because Espanyol fans aren’t happy to see their young star move to their local rival.
⚪ Real Madrid’s Big Changes Under Xabi Alonso LaLiga
Over at Real Madrid, things look very different compared to last year. The club ended the season without any major trophies under legendary coach Carlo Ancelotti, who then left to coach Brazil’s national team. Now, Xabi Alonso — a former Real Madrid and Spain midfielder who was known for his passing and vision — is in charge.
Real Madrid have spent big money to rebuild their defense:
Trent Alexander-Arnold – the attacking right-back from Liverpool, known for his incredible crossing and passing skills.
Dean Huijsen – a 20-year-old defender born in the Netherlands but representing Spain, signed from Bournemouth after Real paid his £50 million release clause (about $67 million).
Álvaro Carrera – a Spanish left-back from Benfica, also bought for €50 million.
These signings should help fix the defensive problems that hurt them last year.
On the attacking side, Real Madrid still have their two megastars: Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior. Both are insanely talented, but fans are still waiting to see them play their absolute best together. Sometimes two star forwards take a little while to figure out how to share the spotlight.
There’s also more competition for attacking spots:
Rodrygo – another Brazilian forward who can score and create chances.
Endrick – a teenage Brazilian wonderkid, hyped as one of the next big soccer superstars.
Brahim Díaz – a creative forward who wants more game time.
Gonzalo – an academy product who impressed during the Club World Cup.
With so many attackers, Alonso’s biggest challenge might be keeping everyone happy and finding the perfect combination.
LaLiga
Atletico Madrid’s Hunger to Win LaLiga
We can’t forget Atletico Madrid, the other big team in Spain’s “big three.” Coached by Diego Simeone for the last 13 years, they are famous for their tough defense and hard-working style. But lately, they haven’t been winning trophies — their last big title was LaLiga in 2021. That’s a four-year drought, and the pressure is on Simeone to deliver again.
This summer, they signed:
Alex Baena from Villarreal for €50 million.
Thiago Almada, a young Argentine playmaker from Copa Libertadores champions Botafogo.
They already have a strong squad with Julián Álvarez, Antoine Griezmann, Conor Gallagher, and world-class goalkeeper Jan Oblak.
📅 Season Kickoff and Key Opening Matches
The new LaLiga season starts Friday, August 15. Here’s the opening weekend schedule:
Girona vs Rayo Vallecano – Girona were one of last season’s surprise teams.
Villarreal vs Real Oviedo – Villarreal will want a strong start at home.
Mallorca vs Barcelona – Barcelona’s first chance to show they’re still the team to beat.
Espanyol vs Atletico Madrid – A tricky away game for Atletico.
Real Madrid vs Osasuna – Real’s first test of their “tactical revolution.”
📝 Soccer Fact Break
Since this is a middle school–friendly article, here are some soccer facts to make it more fun:
LaLiga is Spain’s top professional league. It has 20 teams, and each team plays 38 matches — one home and one away against every other team.
El Clásico is the name for any match between Real Madrid and Barcelona. It’s one of the most-watched sporting events in the world, often attracting hundreds of millions of viewers.
The player with the most goals in a single LaLiga season is Lionel Messi, with 50 goals in 2011–12.
Kylian Mbappé became famous as a teenager, scoring in the 2018 World Cup final for France when he was only 19.
Trent Alexander-Arnold has set Premier League records for assists by a defender — meaning he’s not just about defending, he’s also great at creating goals.
🔮 What to Watch This LaLiga Season
Can Barcelona keep up their insane goal-scoring pace?
Will Real Madrid’s new defense make them stronger than last season?
Can Mbappé and Vinícius Jr finally click as a dream duo?
Will Atletico Madrid end their trophy drought?
The answers will come over the next nine months. One thing’s certain: with all these stars and new signings, the 2025–26 LaLiga season is set to be full of drama, rivalries, and unforgettable moments.
