Big Questions and…

It’s been a month since Spain triumphed over Argentina in the World Cup final, and the 2026-27 LaLiga season is set to kick off with many players from that match. (Catch every match LIVE on ESPN+ in the United States.)

The season started last weekend, with Barcelona and Real Madrid yet to play. The iconic clubs will join the action for the first time this weekend, as Madrid faces Espanyol on Saturday, followed by defending champions Barcelona taking on Elche on Sunday.

This summer has seen an unusual number of transfers for both clubs. Madrid has a new coach, and together they have spent nearly €400 million in the transfer window with potential future signings on the horizon.

ESPN’s Spanish football analysts Alex Kirkland, Graham Hunter, Sam Marsden, and Sid Lowe address the significant questions as LaLiga’s top two clubs make their return.

What changes has Barcelona made during the transfer window?

Marsden: Barcelona has been active in the transfer market, with sources from the club indicating they are not finished yet.

Spain’s World Cup Golden Ball winner Rodri headlines their signings, arriving from Manchester City for an initial €60 million. His presence is expected to provide much-needed leadership on the pitch, as manager Hansi Flick noted this was lacking last season. He’ll guide the younger players, bolster the defense, and quicken offensive transitions.

While Rodri enhances a midfield already rich in talent, Barcelona’s attacking front has undergone significant changes. They have welcomed Anthony Gordon (€70 million), Karim Adeyemi (€22 million), and Jesse Bisiwu (€8.5 million) to replace departed stars Robert Lewandowski, Ferran Torres, and Marcus Rashford. Despite these new additions, sources have indicated that Barcelona still has the budget to secure a top striker this summer. Their initial target, Julián Álvarez from Atlético Madrid, is now off the table as their rivals have opted to keep him.

In defense, João Cancelo has signed permanently after a loan spell last season, while Ronald Araújo and goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen have departed, leaving the rest of the defensive lineup intact for now.

Can Barça build on last season’s title and extend their lead over Real Madrid? Is this the beginning of a dominant era for them?

Hunter: Those familiar with my opinions might find my hesitance surprising. In all honesty, I’m skeptical about this idea.

Barcelona has enhanced the talent, profiles, and achievements of several players over the last two seasons, but both Madrid and Atlético have seemingly stuck in their ways, inviting chaos and mediocrity while allowing Barça to slip through in LaLiga. Their renowned youth academy, La Masia, continues to thrive, while the Camp Nou is slowly transitioning from a financial burden to a revenue generator. If they can keep Rodri fit, I may reconsider my hesitation.

However, I remember manager Flick was utterly drained both physically and mentally by the end of last season, and now he faces the intense pressure from José Mourinho’s presence in the Madrid dugout. Consider the precarious situation if goalkeeper Joan García were to get injured or if the team struggles to compensate for the substantial goal deficit left by Lewandowski and Torres.

As for a period of dominance? I believe that’s overly optimistic. Such a claim would hinge on them winning their first Champions League title in over a decade, and I’m doubtful that will happen this season.

What about Real Madrid’s transfers?

Kirkland: They’ve been active, securing six signings, but their transfer window may ultimately be noted for what they didn’t do — specifically, missing out on Rodri. Nevertheless, Madrid’s fans have plenty to be excited about.

Young winger Yan Diomande edges in as a record signing at €125 million plus bonuses, aimed at strengthening the right wing in their attack. Left-back Marc Cucurella joins for €60 million, showcasing his improvement during the World Cup. Midfielder Bernardo Silva arrives on a free transfer, but whether he can fulfill Rodri’s role in midfield remains to be seen.

They’ve acquired Carlos Espí, a highly regarded young forward, to serve as a key substitute. Center-back Ibrahima Konaté is another free signing whose performance could fluctuate drastically between being error-prone or imperious. Additionally, the team welcomes right-back Denzel Dumfries from Inter Milan for €20 million, although doubts linger about his fit.

New manager José Mourinho, despite his public statements, is still seeking a central midfielder and an additional defender. It remains to be seen if the club meets his requirements. Additionally, Madrid has raised substantial funds from summer departures, securing solid deals for younger players Gonzalo García, César Palacios, and Jacobo Ortega.

Can Madrid’s strong push under Mourinho lead to a major trophy this season? What if they fall short?

Lowe: Bringing Mourinho back evokes nostalgia. Nostalgia often highlights the good times, while the negative memories fade. Throughout Madrid’s history, club president Florentino Pérez has always held a soft spot for Mourinho, the one manager he genuinely admired. However, past grievances held him back.

Mourinho’s previous tenure at Madrid was contentious, and his career hasn’t indicated he was the right fit now. Yet with two seasons devoid of trophies—witnessing Barcelona lift LaLiga twice and facing significant internal turmoil—the urgency for change pushed Pérez to take the plunge this summer.

Madrid is in need of a discerning leader. Mourinho’s responsibility will be to unify the team and cultivate a collective identity, possibly with a firm hand. Will it achieve success? He has the authority denied to his predecessors, and the strong personality required.

Madrid’s heavy spending, despite lacking the centralized midfielder they desperately need, leads to optimism. With talents such as Kylian Mbappé, Jude Bellingham, Diomande, and Vinícius Júnior, success might well be on the horizon, but potential pitfalls loom, complicating the overall team dynamics.

Ultimately, the definition of “success” remains subjective. Some argue that Mourinho’s first stint laid the groundwork for the subsequent Champions League victories, even amid casualties. He may yet find a path to success even if the trophies aren’t forthcoming.

If he fails to deliver, he may face dismissal. However, with Mourinho at the helm, such a trigger may not be pulled as decisively or swiftly as it has been with other perceived more expendable managers. If that scenario unfolds, calling Carlo Ancelotti or Zinedine Zidane could always be an option.

With Mbappé scoring his second World Cup Golden Boot this summer and Yamal lifting the trophy, who’s likely to have the more successful season?

Marsden: Yamal’s situation at Barcelona currently appears more conducive to his growth. He is surrounded by key attackers like Raphinha and midfielders Rodri and Pedri, creating an environment where his rise to stardom is embraced as he approaches his final teenage season. Conversely, at Madrid, Mbappé may have to vie for attention with Vinícius, Bellingham, and potentially Diomande in the near future.

Despite this, Mbappé has impressive statistics, having secured the Pichichi (top scorer in LaLiga) in both his seasons at Madrid, netting 86 goals in 103 appearances. However, the lack of trophies during those seasons casts a shadow over his achievements. Mourinho’s challenge is to foster a more team-centric mentality among his talented forward line, ultimately benefiting the collective.

Yamal has consistently progressed year by year. Last season, he amassed 27 goal contributions in LaLiga (16 goals, 11 assists), second only to Mbappé (25 goals, 5 assists). If he stays healthy, further improvement is expected. Mbappé possesses the potential for higher scoring, yet he often falls short compared to Yamal on both club and national stages, as evidenced by the summer’s World Cup semifinal.

A compelling story unfolds between these two, as they emerge as the faces of a rivalry that had possibly lost its flair since the era of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Atlético Madrid is already in motion. Could this be their year?

Kirkland: It’s a recurring question each season: Could this be their year? The answer often remains the same—yes, but probably not.

Atlético’s commendable consistency under long-serving manager Diego Simeone can’t be overlooked; they have consistently finished in the top four and snatched LaLiga titles on two occasions. However, it’s unrealistic to anticipate significantly more from them. They continue to outperform expectations while operating at a financial disadvantage compared to Barcelona and Madrid.

This summer, they have brought in some helpful additions like Alejandro Grimaldo—perhaps finally solving the left back problem—along with Tottenham’s captain Cristian Romero and Lee Kang-In. Currently, they are retaining striker Julián Alvarez, who seems less likely to transfer to Barcelona with each passing day. “When the transfer window closes, we’ll have a clearer picture,” Simeone noted. His assessment is accurate; let’s wait for that moment to gauge Atlético’s prospects.

The most probable outcome is a solid third-place finish with aspirations for more while keeping an eye on the Champions League, especially with this season’s final set to take place in their Metropolitano Stadium.

Who takes home the title?

Hunter: Madrid. Although I’m suspicious of Mourinho’s volatile nature and how it might impact the squad, I believe Madrid has made significant strides in the transfer market, addressing many of their prior weaknesses. Over the last couple of seasons, they’ve dropped too many points against teams they should traditionally best; I don’t see that continuing.

Barcelona certainly has the quality to upend this prediction, but I suspect they may focus more on the Champions League this year, allowing Madrid a slight edge.

Lowe: If we’re basing predictions from last season’s conclusion, the answer should be Barcelona. However, considering Madrid’s identified flaws, can they really replicate the mistakes of last year? I doubt it.

Madrid needs minimal adjustments to reclaim lost points from last season, even if they don’t quite reach Barcelona’s level. Clásicos aren’t always the defining factor in title races. As long as they can secure victories over other opponents, that may suffice. Set aside the tactical aspects momentarily, and consider that Mourinho’s return—even with the potential for drama—signals a cultural shift that is necessary.

Some fundamental changes in Madrid’s culture could prove beneficial, especially following a season of defeats. The recent World Cup may have played a role in last year’s issues, and now, the mindset is shifting. While there’s an evident gap in midfield, they can navigate LaLiga effectively.

I also question how Barcelona will cope with losing nearly 60 goals and whether they can effectively replace that output with Alvarez. (It’s worth noting I’m not mentioning Atlético, as I lack confidence in their capabilities.)

I’m leaning toward Madrid … just.

Kirkland: I initially favored Madrid this summer, mainly when I expected them to sign Rodri. But I’ll maintain my stance. Barcelona has undeniably performed better in recent seasons—especially dominating in head-to-head Clásicos—yet the point discrepancies between the teams (eight in 2025-26 and four in 2024-25) haven’t been vast given the turmoil at the Bernabéu. While Mourinho isn’t my preferred coach, he has the potential to rectify many of Madrid’s issues.

They have made notable improvements through summer signings, and Madrid is likely to be more driven than Barça, who might prioritize the Champions League.

Marsden: Barcelona. Although they’ve made significant moves this summer, like Madrid, there is greater stability across their squad. Rodri substantially enhances their midfield, even if that wasn’t their most pressing need, and Yamal still possesses untapped potential.

By missing out on Rodri, I believe Madrid neglected the most pressing concern regarding their squad. Although both teams are capable of dominating most of their Liga opponents, Madrid will need to adopt a more cohesive approach, given the challenges I foresee with Mourinho and their prominent personalities. Thus, I favor Barcelona.