Barcelona did not win last season's La Liga title by a narrow margin. They finished with 94 points, a +59 goal difference, 95 goals scored and 36 conceded, then started the new league run with a 2-0 home win over Athletic Club and a 5-0 away win at Elche. The early case for a repeat is being driven by Raphinha, who has begun with an 8.9 rating, 3 goals and 1 assist in two appearances.
Raphinha's early edge
That start makes him the clearest attacking reference point in the race. The rating is the standout number, but the more practical detail is the balance in his output: 3 goals and 1 assist in two league games gives Barcelona end product and creation from the same player.
[Hansi Flick]'s side also look settled enough in front of goal to keep the pressure on early. The two wins they have already banked came against one of last season's stronger domestic opponents and then away from home, which is a decent platform in a title defence that still has a long way to go.
Real Madrid and Atletico's early chase
Real Madrid finished 2025 second in La Liga with 86 points, 77 goals scored and 35 conceded, and their own response has started through Kylian Mbappé. He has 3 goals in 2 La Liga appearances, so the attack has given them an immediate focal point even if Barcelona's opening numbers still look cleaner.
Atletico Madrid are second in the current standings and drew 2-2 with Villarreal in their latest league match. That keeps them in the conversation, but right now the title race is being shaped more by Barcelona's fast start than by either of their two main challengers.
Barcelona, Real Madrid and Atletico are the three clubs framing the race, and the earliest edge belongs to the champions because Raphinha is already producing at a level the others have not matched. The next checkpoint comes when the table starts to stretch beyond August, but the opening weeks have already given Barcelona the strongest base.
Written by Daniel Hartley with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 2 outlets. How we work →
