REVIEW: The best of LaLiga in 2023

A review of the highlights of the year, from FC Barcelona winning LALIGA EA SPORTS to Sevilla FC’s seventh Uefa Europa League title to the records broken by Griezmann and Lamine Yamal.

FC Barcelona win the league title as Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba bid farewell

FC Barcelona clinched last season’s Spanish championship on May 15th when they defeated RCD Espanyol 4-2 in the city’s derby. That was Xavi Hernández’s first league title at the club and it coincided with the last trophy in Spain for two of his former teammates, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba. Meanwhile, Marc-André ter Stegen won the Zamora Trophy and Robert Lewandowski took the Pichichi prize, highlighting that the Blaugrana were the best team in both areas.

Sevilla FC lift the club’s seventh Uefa Europa League

Sevilla FC proved once again why they are such a force in Europe by winning the club’s seventh Uefa Europa League title in Budapest, overcoming AS Roma. The match went to penalties, where Gonzalo Montiel scored the decisive goal, just as he had done in Qatar at the World Cup for Argentina.

On their way to the final, the Spanish team had to overcome strong opposition in Fenerbahçe, Juventus, PSV Eindhoven and Manchester United.

Granada CF, UD Las Palmas and Deportivo Alavés win promotion to LALIGA EA SPORTS

As is the case every year, three clubs earned promotion into the first division and Granada CF did so as champions of the second tier. Meanwhile, the Canary Islanders were runners-up and Deportivo Alavés came up through the promotion playoffs. The Basque side had to suffer, only securing their ticket to the top tier in the final moments of their second leg against Levante UD, when Los Babazorros were awarded a penalty, which was converted by Asier Villalibre.

Joaquín, Lamine Yamal and Antoine Griezmann set records that will be tough to break

This was the year when Real Betis fans had to bid farewell to Joaquín, who hung up his boots after equalling Andoni Zubizarreta as the player with the most appearances in LALIGA EA SPORTS with 622. At the other end of his career is Lamine Yamal, who has broken all kinds of records, such as becoming one of the youngest debutants and the youngest scorer in LALIGA EA SPORTS. Meanwhile, Antoine Griezmann pulled level with the 173 goals of Luis Aragonés to became the top scorer in the history of Atlético de Madrid. The Frenchman scored two of his team’s goals in a 3-3 draw against Getafe CF late in the year to reach this impressive figure.

A historic first half of the season for Girona FC

The 2023/24 LALIGA EA SPORTS season could be a historic one, with Girona FC seriously challenging Real Madrid and finishing the year level on points with the league leaders. They have only lost one game and are playing an attractive brand of football. Their coach, Míchel Sánchez, has made what they are achieving seem natural, and this unique team continues to amaze fans with each passing week.

Jude Bellingham makes an immediate impact

Bellingham is scoring goal after goal for Real Madrid, making an immediate impact. While the Englishman was always known for his competitive spirit, his physical attributes and his creativity, he is also standing out for his effectiveness in front of goal. A brace against FC Barcelona in ELCLASICO was just one instance when he made a statement to the football world.

Several LALIGA clubs celebrate anniversaries

Several clubs put together creative initiatives to celebrate their anniversaries. Athletic Club were one of them and organised a legends match for the institution’s 125th anniversary, coinciding with the visit of Atlético de Madrid to San Mamés on Matchday 17. Meanwhile, Atlético de Madrid decided to launch a shirt featuring their original colours and badge to celebrate their own 120 years of history. RC Celta made headlines around the world for the way the club involved the fans in various initiatives for the club’s centenary. The artist C. Tangana even composed an anthem for the Galiciain club, called ‘Oliveira Dos Cen Anos’, while the club also revamped the badge with centenary motifs to create a shirt to remember.

LALIGA renews its image and partners with EA SPORTS

There was a change at LALIGA, responding to the evolution the organisation has experienced in the last decade, both in terms of size and global recognition, as the competition has become the largest football ecosystem in the world, with the most extensive international network of sporting properties. It is present in 41 countries through 11 offices and a network of delegates. Over the last 10 years, it has experienced sustained growth in all areas and has established itself as a recognised brand in various national and international reputation rankings.

Within this context, LaLiga became LALIGA this year, written in a single word in capital letters. It is a word that represents “THE POWER OF OUR FÜTBOL”, with the league proud to be a competition that complies with the rules, is responsible within society and fights to end discrimination.

A new branding was launched with a symbol represented by the initials “LL”. The choice is related to two key moments which are experienced both on and off the field, and which represent the passion of football: the celebration of players when they score a goal and knee slide in a silhouette that looks like the letter “L”, while the fans also form an “L” with their arms when they celebrate a goal or the success of their team.

Meanwhile, LALIGA’s new corporate colour was released this year and is coral (Pantone Red 032C), which symbolises the pride, passion, energy and excitement of football.

The launch of Boost LALIGA projects

Real Betis inaugurated the facilities of what is the club’s first Boost LALIGA project: the Rafael Gordillo Sports City. This was a project that will allow the club’s growth to continue as a whole, as well as boosting the development of youth football, one of the club’s most important assets.

Another good example was seen with the new Getafe CF offices, which are part of the modernisation process to consolidate the continuous growth the club has been experiencing over the last two decades. These facilities have an area of more than a thousand square metres and are located close to the Coliseum. They house employees from various departments, ranging from sporting management to youth football to marketing to the foundation to protocol to administration.