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Barcelona enters the 2026-27 La Liga season with championship momentum and aims to make history. The Catalan club seeks to become the first team since Pep Guardiola’s era between 2008 and 2011 to capture three consecutive Spanish top-division titles. Barcelona’s recent success has been particularly striking when compared to their traditional rival Real Madrid, who have turned to Jose Mourinho as their fourth managerial appointment in just over a year.
The foundation for another successful campaign appears solid. Barcelona’s recent World Cup triumph provided significant exposure for several squad members, including defenders Pau Cubarsi and Eric Garcia, midfielders Dani Olmo and Pedri, and forward Ferran Torres. No Real Madrid players featured in Spain’s World Cup-winning squad, potentially amplifying Barcelona’s advantage heading into the season. With only goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny exceeding 30 years of age, the club boasts a youthful roster capable of handling the demands ahead.
However, Barcelona faces notable adjustments this season. The departure of defender Ronald Araujo to Liverpool shifts responsibility to 19-year-old Pau Cubarsi, whose positioning and anticipation skills compensate for a less physical defensive approach. Meanwhile, Robert Lewandowski’s move to Chicago Fire necessitates reliance on Ferran Torres, who scored 21 goals last season and netted the World Cup final winner, or emerging talent Hamza Abdelkarim. Lamine Yamal, the reigning La Liga player of the year, must demonstrate durability after scoring 16 goals despite missing significant matches.
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Originally reported by Aljazeera →
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