Mourinho returns to Real Madrid as La Liga season kicks off with Barcelona chasing title

The 2026-2027 La Liga season is set to begin, marked by the high-profile return of Jose Mourinho to Real Madrid. Thirteen years after his initial stint, Mourinho is tasked with ending the club's two-year trophy drought. Real Madrid has been active in the transfer market, securing players like Marc Cucurella, Bernardo Silva, Denzel Dumfries, Ibrahima Konate, and Yan Diomande, while also convincing Vinicius Jr. to extend his contract until 2032. Some observers view Mourinho's appointment as an effort by President Florentino Perez to instill discipline, though his relationship with Vinicius Jr. will be closely watched following an alleged racism incident last season.

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From Jose Mourinho’s second act at Madrid to Barcelona’s push for a three-peat and new rule changes – here are the five most compelling storylines before the new season.

Despite Mourinho's return, Barcelona enters the season as strong favorites to clinch their third consecutive title. They secured the trophy last season under Hansi Flick, beating Real Madrid 2-0 in El Clasico. Young winger Lamine Yamal was instrumental, earning La Liga's Player of the Season award for the second year running with 16 goals and 11 assists, despite injury struggles. Flick has signed a new two-year contract, and with Yamal's continued development, Barcelona aims to replicate their dominant run from the Pep Guardiola era (2008-2011).

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Thirteen years after he was last in the role, Mourinho is back as Real Madrid manager and is tasked with bringing glory back to the Bernabeu after two seasons without a major trophy.

To address time-wasting, Spain's refereeing committee has introduced new rules for the upcoming season, many of which were tested at the 2026 World Cup. Notably, substituted players must now leave the pitch within 10 seconds. Failure to comply will result in their replacements being unable to enter the game until at least one minute after the restart. Additionally, an injured outfield player must now leave the field of play.

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Barca retained the trophy under Hansi Flick last season, beating Real Madrid 2-0 in El Clasico to seal it with three games to spare for their second consecutive title and 29th overall.