It will be difficult to surpass the achievement of clinching the LaLiga title against their arch-rivals Clásico foes, Real Madrid. However, the 2025-26 season has left Barcelona craving for even more.
As expected, celebrations erupted following Sunday’s 2-0 victory over Madrid, which secured the club’s 29th Spanish title. Following the trophy presentation on the Camp Nou pitch, families of the players joined in the festivities—highlighted by Raphinha‘s son, Gael, once again stealing the spotlight. Meanwhile, Alejandro Balde and Marc Casadó headed to Plaça Catalunya to celebrate with fans. In addition, Dani Olmo, Pedri, and Eric García enjoyed a victory bike ride around the city, while club president Joan Laporta celebrated at his go-to nightclub, Luz de Gas.
This occasion was definitely one to relish. Not only did Barça secure the title mathematically in the Clásico for the first time ever, but they also achieved back-to-back league victories under coach Hansi Flick, who still led the team on Sunday despite the loss of his father over the weekend. Additionally, they did so with the youngest squad in LaLiga for the second consecutive season. Although the average age increased slightly from 24.1 to 24.6, they remain the two youngest title-winning teams of the millennium.
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At the heart of the club’s success has been 18-year-old winger Lamine Yamal. Although he faced challenges this season, he received considerable support from the other forwards. The summer signing of goalkeeper Joan García from rivals Espanyol may turn out to be one of the decade’s best signings.
The team has rallied after setbacks, winning 23 of their last 25 league matches following a loss to Madrid in October. They capitalized on grievances over officiating, with Raphinha expressing frustration after a surprising defeat to Girona in February, which temporarily knocked Barça from the top of the table. They earned eleven consecutive victories afterward, extending their lead over Madrid to an unassailable 14 points with just three games remaining.
Despite claiming the Spanish Supercopa, amounting to five domestic trophies out of six since Flick’s tenure began in 2024 (the only absence being this year’s Copa del Rey), not advancing beyond this season’s UEFA Champions League quarterfinals after being eliminated by Atlético Madrid means the players are unwilling to repeat this campaign next year.
“I wouldn’t agree to replicate this season next year,” said 19-year-old defender Pau Cubarsí as he spoke to reporters on Sunday. “We desire more. We’re young, motivated, and we aim to win everything.”
Yamal’s Progress
Barcelona entered the season grappling with heightened expectations while trying to maintain their composure. A thrilling previous season restored them as one of Europe’s must-see teams, resulting in a domestic treble and a dramatic Champions League semifinal exit to Inter Milan. With higher stakes, pressure to perform grew significantly this year.
Flick was dissatisfied with the team’s early performances. After an August draw with Rayo Vallecano, he warned them that “egos hinder success.” He reiterated, “Last season, we played as a cohesive unit, and we must return to that.” Sources indicate Flick’s message resonated with the squad, but results were slow in coming. It took October losses to Sevilla and Madrid to sharpen the team’s focus, particularly for Yamal, who faced scrutiny following the loss at the Bernabéu, where he jokingly stated that Madrid “robbed” in the buildup. Following the Clásico defeat, several Los Blancos players confronted him, while the crowd, who had previously cheered him as a member of the Spain national team, jeered him.
“He is learning to manage the crowd’s reactions,” Barça assistant coach Marcus Sorg said regarding the atmosphere’s impact on Yamal’s performance. “It wasn’t easy for him today.”
Moreover, Yamal had been dealing with personal challenges, including a high-profile breakup with Argentine singer Nicki Nicole and ongoing groin issues, which led to public disputes between Barça and the Spain national team. However, sources reveal that the incident related to the Madrid match prompted him to step back from some public engagements. While his off-field life was not detrimental to his focus or performance, it was recognized that a change in strategy towards a lower profile was necessary.
As a result, his on-field performances improved as his groin issue was effectively managed. He became the go-to player for Barça until a torn hamstring in April curtailed his season. He netted 16 goals and assisted 11, with Real Oviedo coach Guillermo Almada praising him as a player from “another galaxy.”
In February, he scored his first career hat trick against Villarreal and expressed that he was finally enjoying football again following a tough spell. He admitted: “I wasn’t feeling great [earlier this season]. There was the [groin] issue, and in general, I just wasn’t happy. It was a combination of many factors. You could tell.
“I’ve felt much better for the past week or so. I smile when playing now, which wasn’t the case before, and I’m happy on the pitch.”
Room for Improvement
Barcelona’s heavy reliance on Yamal may have hampered their European ambitions, but domestically, other players emerged. While this season marks Yamal’s third title, it may also be noted as the year he established himself as a key figure, thanks to significant contributions from other forwards.
Seven Barça players are in the top 16 for goal contributions in LaLiga: Yamal (27), Ferran Torres (17), Robert Lewandowski, Fermín López, Marcus Rashford, Olmo (all 15), and Raphinha (14). Pedri (10) also reached double figures for goal contributions. Breaking it down further, Barça has six of the league’s top 12 for goal contributions per 90 minutes, with Yamal ranking first, even ahead of Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappé, at 1.07 goals contributed per 90.
Remarkably, the team’s scoring statistics in LaLiga are slightly lower than last season, dropping from 2.68 to 2.6 goals per game.
“We may not have scored as many goals as last season, but our defensive game has improved significantly,” Flick noted after Sunday’s match. “Especially towards the season’s conclusion.”
However, questions remain about Barça’s defense. Sources told ESPN that while the inherent risks of Flick’s high pressing and high defensive line are acknowledged, the team has conceded too many goals in the Champions League (20 goals across 12 matches). The unexpected departure of 34-year-old Iñigo Martínez—an experienced presence—was felt, and the development of Gerard Martín, who progressed from the third division to a top-flight center-back, is commendable. Eric García has stepped up in various positions, but the team has often relied on Joan García, the goalkeeper, to bail them out.
Initially, there were reservations about signing García for €25 million last summer, not due to his ability, but because he was joining from local rivals Espanyol and the goalkeeper roster appeared sufficiently covered by Marc-André ter Stegen and Wojciech Szczesny, raising questions about whether the limited budget could be better allocated elsewhere.
Yet now, no one doubts the signing. García boasts the highest ‘Goals Prevented’ (GPrv) statistic in the league at 10.58, with Getafe‘s David Soria in second with 8.51. Most of the other top positions are also occupied by goalkeepers from struggling teams, with Madrid’s Thibaut Courtois ranking 14th at 0.32.
Barcelona’s preferred style often exposes García, but they appreciate his exceptional shot-stopping abilities. His standout moments have occurred against Rayo Vallecano, both home and away, and during his uneasy return to RCDE Stadium, where he faced fierce jeering from the crowd.
Coaching staff estimate García has single-handedly secured at least six points for Barça this season, if not more. He has kept 15 clean sheets in 29 matches, conceding just 20 goals. In contrast, during six matches with Szczesny while García was injured, the team conceded 11 goals.
Home Advantage
Even García couldn’t stave off February’s defeat to Girona. The Spanish Referee’s Committee [CTA] later admitted that Girona’s winning goal should not have counted due to a foul on Jules Koundé, but the damage was done. The result allowed Madrid to leapfrog Barça in the league, uniting the team in their quest for LaLiga, sources told ESPN.
Raphinha commented after that match, “It’s tough when the rules change depending on the situation, but if we have to challenge everyone to win, we will.”
Since then, Barça has not looked back, winning every league match and claiming their 11th consecutive victory with Sunday’s win against Madrid.
At home, they’ve won all 18 matches this season, with just one left against Real Betis. Their home form has been bolstered by the long-awaited return to Camp Nou, which has resulted in a gradual increase in capacity from 45,000 to 62,000 fans since they returned to their remodeled ground in November. The introduction of the Grada d’Animació in February—essentially a singing section—has greatly enhanced the atmosphere.
“With the fans backing us like this, it will be challenging for anyone to defeat us at home,” stated Raphinha after March’s win over Newcastle United in Europe.
Barcelona remains unbeaten at home in LaLiga this season and is on track for a record-breaking year. They are the first team to secure 30 victories in their first 35 matches and are within striking distance of reaching 100 points—a milestone only achieved twice before, by Madrid in 2011-12 and Barça in 2012-13.
Despite their domestic triumphs and the highlight of clinching the title against Madrid for the first time, this is a Barça team that is driven to achieve even more next season. Cubarsí’s assertions were echoed by Flick, who emphasized in his post-title victory press conference that the team “has greater ambitions,” needs to reach the “next level,” and aims to “win the Champions League.”
Sources indicate that Flick has already outlined his targets for the upcoming summer transfer window, having communicated his desires to the club. He has hinted publicly that the team needs “leadership” and “experience,” while stressing the importance of being “perfect” in the transfer market. Reports indicate he is looking for a new center-back, a striker, and potentially a versatile forward.
A busy summer awaits, but there’s still more celebrating to be done. An open-top bus parade is planned for Monday through the city. It’s not every weekend that you win the league title against your fiercest rivals.