Barça shut out archrivals Real Madrid 2-0 to clinch the LaLiga title yesterday in another memorable El Clasico! It was Catalan team's third league title in four years (2022-23, 2024-25 and 2025-26 campaigns). For Real it was a disappointing week and year. The venerable club has now gone two consecutive years without any trophies (in Spain or Europe). The last time this happened was the 2004-06 period and before that 1983-85...so every 20 years or so; I'm sure they'll bounce back. But this was truly Barcelona's year once again. The team won 42 of 53 games, including 100% of all home games and a remarkable stretch of 11 consecutive victories. Under Hansi Flick Barça has dominated Spanish football of late winning 5/6 domestic trophies over the past two years. Hopefully more to come! Highlights of the Clasico here:
Barcelona has now won 29 Spanish league titles to Real Madrid's 36. While the Los Blancos lead overall, Barcelona has won twice as many La Ligas (20 to 10) since the late eighties when Johan Cryuff took over (see chart below). The Dutch legend implemented and expanded Total Football that changed Barcelona forever. Of course, it helped they had some great players too: Ronaldo, Figo, Xavi, Iniesta, Neymar, Messi, Messi, Messi, and now Yamal.
It's worth noting the domination of the Barca and Real in Spain. Of the last 35 title campaigns 30 were won by the former two. Though that type of supremacy seems to be a feature of European football (e.g., of the last 32 seasons in the EPL, 21 titles went to city of Manchester: 13 to Man U and 8 to Man City). But that's for another post! For now, Barcelona son los campeones de España!!
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