The 2025/26 La Liga title race is heating up, with FC Barcelona and Real Madrid at the top, but Villarreal CF has emerged as a surprise contender. The usual suspects, Barcelona and Madrid, are fighting for the top spot, with Barcelona currently leading on 40 points and Madrid second on 36 points. However, Villarreal CF has been making a strong push, causing some unexpected excitement in the league.
Barcelona, the defending champions, are looking to retain the title under the guidance of Hansi Flick. Despite a loss to Real Madrid in El Clasico, which left them five points behind their rivals, Barcelona have responded by winning six consecutive league games. They've had a strong comeback at the Spotify Camp Nou, winning all three matches since returning home, and their away form has also been impressive.
The team's attacking trio of Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, and Robert Lewandowski have been performing well, but a key factor in their success has been Ferran Torres. The Valencia native has scored 11 league goals this season, placing him second in the Pichichi Trophy rankings behind Kylian Mbappé. If Torres continues to score, Barcelona have a good chance of winning back-to-back titles for the first time since 2017/18 and 2018/19.
Despite the strong performances of the usual title contenders, Villarreal CF's rise has added an unexpected layer of excitement to the league. As the season continues, it will be interesting to see if Villarreal can maintain their form and challenge the dominant teams at the top of the table.
