Madrid reclaim their Spanish crown
Eventually finishing 10 points adrift of their bitter El Clasico rivals during the 2022/23 campaign as they relinquished their La Liga crown, Real Madrid found plenty of pressure on their shoulders this time around.
However, making the decision to stick with Carlo Ancelotti last summer, Los Blancos have enjoyed a remarkable run this season as they stormed their way to a record-breaking 36th domestic title without breaking much of a sweat.
Once again underlining their status as Spanish football’s ultimate poster boy, Madrid lost just one of their 38 La Liga appearances this season and they certainly have the opportunity to make even more history over the next few days.
Picking up some major European scalps during their Champions League adventure this year as they found a route past both Bayern Munich and Manchester City, Ancelotti’s side are relishing a trip to Wembley on Saturday night.
Sat in the driving seat to be crowned double champions in the English capital this weekend, it also appears inevitable that PSG icon Kylian Mbappe will be arriving at the Bernabeu this summer in what will be an historic move.
X3️⃣6️⃣ @realmadrid win their 36th #LALIGAEASPORTS title!
CONGRATULATIONS, CHAMPIONS! pic.twitter.com/X7Y2FVHeto
— LALIGA English (@LaLigaEN) May 4, 2024
More chaos behind the scenes in Catalonia
Finishing the 2023/24 campaign without a piece of silverware to their name, Barcelona are still dealing with a string of issues behind the scenes and the Nou Camp and their reputation has certainly taken another major blow.
With it shockingly announced on May 24th that Xavi would be removed from the Catalonia dugout following Barca’s 2-1 victory away at Sevilla on the final weekend, the Spanish giants are desperate to find some kind of stability.
The former Spain midfielder, who was under contract until 2025, said he was going to leave the club in January but performed a dramatic U-turn, announcing he was staying on at Camp Nou in April.
Despite taking charge back in November 2021 and guiding Barca to both La Liga and Super Cup success in his first full season, the 44-year-old has been involved in a public feud with club president Joan Laporta.
With ex-Bayern Munich boss Hansi Flick set to take over the reigns in Catalonia, Xavi fired one final shot at Barcelona’s hierarchy by stating that his successor will “suffer” in the role.
️ “He will suffer”
Barcelona coach Xavi had some interesting words for his expected successor Hansi Flick ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/xG78Lt6WxB
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) May 27, 2024
King Jude steals all of the plaudits
Making the move from fellow Champions League finalists Borussia Dortmund last summer in a move that was reportedly in the region of £100million, there is no doubt that Jude Bellingham has been La Liga’s ultimate headline stealer.
Spearheading Los Blancos’ charge to become double champions, Europe’s new poster boy has enjoyed a spectacular rise to superstardom and has broken a string of long-standing records.
Officially crowned as La Liga’s Player of the Season on Wednesday, the former Birmingham starlet scored 19 times in the league to help Real win the title and has scored four goals during their run to Saturday’s Champions League final.
The Stourbridge-born player edged out team-mate Vinicius Jr, Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid), Artem Dovbyk (Girona) and Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona) in votes cast by fans, club captains and a panel of experts.
With the world at his feet and only further underlining his status as one of world football’s hottest commodities, Bellingham is now expected to play a leading role as the Three Lions look to get their hands on a first piece of silverware since 1966.
⚪️ La Liga Player of the Season: Jude Bellingham.
19 goals, 6 assists on his first season in Spain for Real Madrid star. pic.twitter.com/bT3SeXy45R
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 28, 2024
Girona enjoy a famous La Liga fairytale
While Girona might have sprung a real upset during the 2022/23 campaign as they secured a top-half finish on their La Liga return, nobody would have expected what was a famous fairytale this time around.
Heading into Spain’s festive interval at the heart of a stunning La Liga title scrap and firmly cementing their spot as one of Europe’s ultimate surprise packages, the Catalonia-based outfit have torn up the record books this season.
With Michel Sanchez’s stock at a red-hot high, the former Rayo Vallecano boss has been the mastermind behind Girona’s charge to securing an iconic bronze medal finish.
Gaining a fearsome reputation from across La Liga for their free-scoring performances, Spain’s dark horses also secured a maiden Champions League ticket thanks to a remarkable 4-2 victory against bitter local rivals Barcelona on May 4th.
Signing off the 2023/24 campaign with a stunning 7-0 romp at home against Granada, Girona certainly deserve their spot as one of Spanish football’s biggest headline stealers this season.
GIRONA HAVE QUALIFIED TO NEXT SEASON’S CHAMPIONS LEAGUE pic.twitter.com/K2XE06Gr1X
— 433 (@433) May 4, 2024
Bilbao make Copa del Rey history
While Athletic Bilbao might have eventually finished eight points adrift of securing a first top-four finish since the 2013/14 campaign, Ernesto Valverde’s side certainly made real history this season.
Signing off their campaign with back-to-back victories against Rayo Vallecano and Sevilla respectively, the Lions have continued to receive plenty of praise among Spain’s elite.
Set to make their first Europa League appearance since back in 2018, the former Barcelona boss saw his squad make real history on April 6th as they were crowned Copa del Rey champions thanks to a nail-biting penalties victory against Mallorca.
Coming past both Atletico Madrid and Barcelona in their quest to claim a first Copa del Rey title since way back in 1984, Valverde’s men will take plenty of positives away from a famous campaign in Basque Country.
Making it clear that they have no interest in parting ways with attacking talisman and Spanish international Nico Williams during the summer transfer window, Bilbao will certainly look back on this season with plenty of positives.
ATHLETIC CLUB WIN THE COPA DEL REY FOR THE 24TH TIME
But it’s the first time they’ve won it in years pic.twitter.com/37r1JVvqiE
— B/R Football (@brfootball) April 6, 2024
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