Barcelona Chase La Liga Three-Peat as Mourinho Returns to Real Madrid
Barcelona begin the 2026-27 La Liga season as favourites to retain their title, but Real Madrid’s return to the top under Jose Mourinho could provide the biggest challenge to their bid for an historic three-peat.
Barcelona have won the last two Spanish league titles and are now attempting to become the first club since Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona side between 2008 and 2011 to win La Liga three seasons in a row.
The Catalan giants also enter the new campaign with several players fresh from Spain’s 2026 World Cup triumph.
However, their dominance has not erased the long-standing gap between Barcelona and Real Madrid in the league’s history.
Real Madrid have won the Spanish top-flight title 36 times, compared with Barcelona’s 29.
Can Barcelona win three La Liga titles in a row?
Barcelona’s recent record makes them strong contenders to extend their dominance.
The club has won 13 of the last 25 La Liga titles, while Real Madrid have claimed seven during the same period.
A third consecutive championship would represent another major milestone for Barcelona and could further strengthen the club’s position at the top of Spanish football.
The last Barcelona team to achieve three straight league titles did so under Guardiola, completing the run in 2011 alongside a Champions League triumph.
The challenge this time, however, could be considerably tougher.
Mourinho’s Real Madrid return changes the title race
Real Madrid have appointed Jose Mourinho as their latest manager, giving the Spanish giants an experienced and familiar figure to lead their challenge.
The Portuguese coach’s return adds another layer to the rivalry between the two clubs.
Barcelona have enjoyed the upper hand over Madrid during the past two seasons, but Mourinho’s arrival could change the tactical and competitive landscape.
The new season will therefore provide an early test of whether Barcelona can maintain their advantage or whether Real Madrid can reclaim the Spanish crown.
Pau Cubarsi faces major defensive responsibility
One of Barcelona’s biggest questions concerns the centre of defence following Ronald Araujo’s departure for Liverpool.
That could leave 19-year-old Pau Cubarsi with an even greater leadership role.
Cubarsi has already established himself as a regular starter and impressed with his positioning, mobility and ability to initiate attacks from defence.
His performances at the 2026 World Cup further enhanced his reputation.
The teenager’s partnership with experienced defender Andreas Christensen could become one of the most important elements of Barcelona’s title defence.
Can Ferran Torres replace Lewandowski’s goals?
Barcelona will also have to adjust to life without Robert Lewandowski after the Polish striker moved to MLS side Chicago Fire.
Lewandowski’s goalscoring numbers had declined in his final two seasons at Barcelona, but his physical presence and ability to occupy defenders remained valuable to Hansi Flick’s system.
Ferran Torres is expected to take on greater responsibility in attack.
Torres scored 21 goals last season and also scored the decisive goal in Spain’s 2026 World Cup final victory.
Barcelona may also turn to 18-year-old Egyptian forward Hamza Abdelkarim, who has joined the club on loan ahead of a permanent transfer.
Abdelkarim attracted attention during the World Cup after becoming Egypt’s youngest senior international when he appeared as a substitute against Belgium.
Lamine Yamal remains key to Barcelona’s ambitions
Few players will have a greater influence on Barcelona’s season than Lamine Yamal.
The young winger finished the previous La Liga campaign with 16 goals and 11 assists in 28 appearances and ended the season as the joint-leading scorer for Barcelona in the league alongside Torres.
Across all competitions, Yamal scored 24 goals in 45 appearances.
He also enters the new campaign as the reigning La Liga Player of the Year.
However, managing his workload will be important.
Yamal missed 10 league matches last season because of injury and also dealt with fitness concerns during Spain’s World Cup campaign.
Barcelona have added Karim Adeyemi to provide additional depth and reduce some of the pressure on the teenage star.
New signings could add another dimension
Barcelona have strengthened their attacking options with the additions of Adeyemi and Anthony Gordon.
Adeyemi is familiar to Flick, who handed the German winger his international debut.
The 24-year-old can operate on the right wing and could also provide an option through the centre.
Gordon offers another attacking profile.
The Newcastle United forward scored 17 goals in 46 appearances last season and is known for his pace and ability to attack defenders directly.
Those qualities could give Barcelona an alternative when their possession-heavy style needs more speed and vertical attacking play.
Barcelona’s injury situation could prove decisive
Fitness could ultimately have a major influence on Barcelona’s title defence.
Fermin Lopez missed the World Cup with a broken toe, while Raphinha suffered a hamstring injury while representing Brazil.
Both players are now fit for the new campaign.
Gavi has also had significant injury problems during the past few seasons but has entered the campaign in good health.
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There are still concerns elsewhere in the squad.
Frenkie de Jong is expected to remain sidelined until November because of a knee injury, while Roony Bardghji is facing a season-long absence with a knee problem.
Keeping key players healthy will be particularly important given Barcelona’s demanding domestic and European schedule.
Barcelona have a three-peat within reach
Barcelona have built considerable momentum over the past two seasons, with Yamal emerging as one of world football’s biggest young stars and several of their players returning from a successful World Cup campaign.
But the return of Mourinho to Real Madrid means the Catalan club cannot afford complacency.
Barcelona have the talent and recent form to win a third consecutive La Liga title, but maintaining fitness, replacing Lewandowski’s influence and managing Yamal’s workload could determine whether they make history.
For the first time in years, however, Barcelona appear to have a realistic opportunity to close some of the historic title gap with Real Madrid.
