It’s almost too predictable that Barcelona’s first goal of 2025–26 followed the same formula so many from the previous term did: a deadly Yamal cross from the right wing met

Barcelona has kicked off its La Liga title defense with a 3-0 victory against nine-man Mallorca. Raphinha scored early by heading in a cross from Lamine Yamal in the seventh minute.

Marcus Rashford and Joan Garcia have been registered in time to feature in Barcelona’s first La Liga game of the new season against Mallorca on Saturday. The forward signed on loan with an option to buy from Manchester United last month but faced a problem that has hampered Barcelona in recent seasons.

Javier Tebas has been engaged in a long-running war of words with Real Madrid. / Oscar J. Barroso/AFP7 via La Liga president Javier Tebas has defended the league’s proposed plans to stage Barcelona’s domestic fixture with Villarreal in Miami by going on a rant about the questionable integrity shown by Real Madrid over the years.

Marcus Rashford is registered in time to feature for Barcelona in their La Liga opener against Mallorca on Saturday.

In every La Liga season but one since 2012-13, the top three spots have been claimed by Atletico Madrid, Real Madrid and Barcelona, in one order or another.