LaLiga, officially known as LaLiga EA Sports for sponsorship reasons, is the top professional football league in Spain, featuring 20 clubs competing annually from August to May. Founded in 1929, it is one of the world’s most prestigious leagues, renowned for its technical quality, competitive balance, and global stars like Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Diego Maradona. Each team plays 38 matches, with the champion earning the title and qualification for European competitions, while the bottom three teams face relegation to Segunda División. LaLiga’s intense rivalries, such as El Clásico between Real Madrid and Barcelona, and its high-scoring, skillful play make it a favorite among football fans worldwide.
Barcelona have reportedly come under investigation for allegedly avoiding taxes linked to the signing of Brazilian winger Malcom in 2018. The club are accused of paying €10 million to intermediaries for “non-existent” services, with police also probing former president Josep Maria Bartomeu and several ex-executives for financial misconduct.
Ex-Chelsea star Joe Cole has taken aim at football's administrators, claiming that the over-saturation of the football calendar is putting stars at heightened injury risk, and diluting the quality of the overall product. Cole pointed towards PSG and Chelsea's current injury problems, as well Rodri's persistent fitness issues and Lamine Yamal's concerns, as examples of players being 'flogged for financial reasons'.
Steven Gerrard has fired a stern warning to full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold as the Liverpool legend revealed his own transfer links to Real Madrid when Jose Mourinho was managing the Spanish giants. Alexander-Arnold rejected a new contract from the Reds and parted ways with the club this summer to join Los Blancos for a meagre fee of £10 million ($13m).
Inter president Beppe Marotta believes that Luka Modric thriving in Serie A at the age of 40 is not a bad thing, but in fact a "positive advert" for Italian football. Marotta highlighted the financial disparity between clubs in Serie A and those in leagues like the Premier League and La Liga, pointing to Real Madrid's big-money signing of Argentine teenager Franco Mastantuono as a prime example.
Wojciech Szczesny has opened up on his challenging start to life at Barcelona, admitting he “didn’t fit” the team's playing style as he came out of retirement to join the Spanish giants. The Polish goalkeeper revealed how adapting to Hansi Flick’s high-risk system required mistakes, ego-checks and relentless effort, culminating in last season's domestic treble.
Marcus Rashford has been backed to take one of Robert Lewandowski's key jobs at Barcelona by Gary Lineker. The England forward, who endured a rocky spell under Ruben Amorim at Manchester United, has found new life under Hansi Flick, showing flashes of the ruthless finishing that once made him one of England’s brightest stars.
Barcelona have reportedly intensified contact for Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi amid growing competition from Bayern Munich, Liverpool and Real Madrid. The England international, whose deal runs until 2026, was close to joining Liverpool in the summer but a collapsed transfer could now trigger a full-scale bidding war across Europe.
Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi saw a proposed summer transfer to Liverpool fall through at the 11th hour last month. But rather than simply resurrect a deal that would see him switch to Anfield by next summer at the latest, the England international looks set to have a number of other high profile clubs to choose from – including Bayern Munich as they make their own move.
Former Spain midfielder Gaizka Mendieta has suggested that Mikel Arteta's record of achievement since being appointed by Arsenal in 2019 will give him his pick of jobs whenever he decides the time is right to leave the Emirates Stadium. One of those could be at Barcelona in the future, where Arteta made key strides in his formative years as a footballer.
