The history of La Liga is steeped in the glories of Spanish football’s greatest dynasties, and the latest chapter has once again reaffirmed Real Madrid’s status at the summit of Spanish football. With the 2024/25 season concluded, Los Blancos have fallen short in the two-horse title race against Barcelona, failing to add to their 36 La Liga titles. Nonetheless, they still remain the most successful club in the competition’s history.
Barcelona, who trail with 28 titles, may be second overall, but they’ve been the dominant force in recent decades, lifting 11 league titles in the past 20 seasons—more than any other team in that period. Much of this golden era was orchestrated by the one and only Lionel Messi, whose brilliance was the beating heart of a side that redefined attacking football.
Despite Barça’s modern dominance, it hasn’t been enough to eclipse Real Madrid’s long-standing lead. Madrid, under various eras of leadership—from the Galácticos, to Zidane era down to the Carlo Ancelotti resurgence—have managed just 7 La Liga crowns in the same 20-year stretch, including a memorable triumph in 2023/24.
The only other club to break this duopoly in the last two decades is Atlético Madrid, with 2 titles (2013/14 and 2020/21). Both of those wins came under the stewardship of Diego Simeone, who masterminded his side past the Spanish giants with grit, determination, and tactical genius. In both title-winning seasons, Atlético defied the odds, embodying the underdog spirit that has come to define Simeone’s reign.
Beyond the big three, the overall La Liga title count showcases Spain’s rich footballing heritage:
All-Time La Liga Title Leaders
- Real Madrid – 36
- Barcelona – 28
- Atlético Madrid – 11
- Athletic Club – 8
- Valencia – 6
- Real Sociedad – 2
- Sevilla – 1
- Deportivo La Coruña – 1
- Real Betis – 1
Read More: All-Time La Liga Title Winners – Full List
Clubs like Athletic Club and Valencia once stood proudly as title contenders, particularly during the earlier eras of Spanish football, but have since been eclipsed by the ever-growing shadow of Madrid and Barcelona.
Deportivo La Coruña, Real Betis, and Sevilla have each tasted league glory just once, with those triumphs etched deeply into the memories of their supporters. For clubs like these, the dream of a second league title remains a distant but ever-hopeful ambition.
The statistics tell a compelling story: only three teams—Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Atlético Madrid—have lifted the La Liga trophy in the last two decades. This reflects not only the dominance of these clubs but also the challenges other Spanish teams face in breaking into the top echelon.
However, the footballing landscape is always evolving. While Real Madrid continue to build on their historical legacy, and Barcelona seek to usher in a new era post-Messi with the emergency if a generational, Lamine Yamal, clubs like Atlético and emerging challengers are keeping the fire of competition alive.
For now, Real Madrid stand tall, but the battle for La Liga supremacy is far from over. With fierce rivalries, tactical brilliance, and passionate fanbases, La Liga continues to deliver drama, excellence, and unforgettable football.
La Liga Winners in Last 20 Seasons (2005–2025)
| Season | Winners | Runners-up |
| 2005–06 | Barcelona | Real Madrid |
| 2006–07 | Real Madrid | Barcelona |
| 2007–08 | Real Madrid | Villarreal |
| 2008–09 | Barcelona | Real Madrid |
| 2009–10 | Barcelona | Real Madrid |
| 2010–11 | Barcelona | Real Madrid |
| 2011–12 | Real Madrid | Barcelona |
| 2012–13 | Barcelona | Real Madrid |
| 2013–14 | Atlético Madrid | Barcelona |
| 2014–15 | Barcelona | Real Madrid |
| 2015–16 | Barcelona | Real Madrid |
| 2016–17 | Real Madrid | Barcelona |
| 2017–18 | Barcelona | Atlético Madrid |
| 2018–19 | Barcelona | Atlético Madrid |
| 2019–20 | Real Madrid | Barcelona |
| 2020–21 | Atlético Madrid | Real Madrid |
| 2021–22 | Real Madrid | Barcelona |
| 2022–23 | Barcelona | Real Madrid |
| 2023–24 | Real Madrid | Barcelona |
| 2024–25 | Barcelona | Real Madrid |
Q1: Who has won the most La Liga titles?
A: Real Madrid, with 36 titles, holds the record for the most La Liga championships.
Q2: How many La Liga titles has Barcelona won?
A: As of the 2024/25 season, Barcelona has won 28 La Liga titles.
Q3: Which club other than Real Madrid and Barcelona has won La Liga recently?
A: Atlético Madrid won La Liga in 2013/14 and 2020/21 under Diego Simeone.
Q4: How many teams have won La Liga in the last 20 years?
A: Only three clubs—Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Atlético Madrid—have won La Liga in the past two decades.
