Are Barcelona and Yamal unstoppable forces?

Despite the dazzling impact of Hansi Flick’s first season at Barcelona, the newly-fluent Spanish speaker now faces the formbook in his attempt to retain the LaLiga title.

The defending champions have not prevailed since Barca achieved the feat in 2019, and they are the only club to have retained the title more than once in the last 35 years.

Real Madrid’s galaxy of superstars are favourites to finish top this time, with their two defeats in El Clasico ultimately costly as four points separated the two likeliest champions at the end of 2024/25.

Having been at the summit for all but seven matchweeks last time out, can Barcelona hold off Madrid in style again?

Barcelona signings 2025/26

The most high-profile arrival has been long-term target Marcus Rashford, who is expected to provide width after the England international joined on loan for the season from Manchester United.

Sweden Under-21 right-winger Roony Bardghji scored on his non-competitive debut against Vissel Kove after signing for around £1.7 million from Copenhagen, and Joan Garcia is set to be first choice following the goalkeeper’s switch from Espanyol for around £21.6m.

Crucially, forward Lamine Yamal signed a new contract a month after the end of last season to keep the Ballon d’Or contender at the club until 2031.

Spain sensation Yamal contributed 18 goals and 25 assists in 55 matches in all competitions last season and the 18-year-old has been in menacing form during pre-season.

What else might change for Barcelona in 2025/26?

Days before the season started, there was familiar talk of financial machinations to finalise player registrations so that Rashford, Garcia, Bardghji, back-up goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny and left-back Gerard Martin are allowed to play.

Former Spain centre-back Inigo Martinez left for Al-Nassr, with Ronald Araujo and 18-year-old Pau Cubarsi likely to be the starting centre-backs in what Flick hopes will be a more resolute defence.

Barca’s respectable domestic defensive record was still the worst of the top four, and they conceded 10 times in the final three games of their Champions League campaign, going out in the semi-finals to goals in the third minute of added time and ninth minute of extra time against Inter.

Long-serving Marc-Andre ter Stegen – one of Barca’s captains – is poised to leave once the goalkeeper has had back surgery, and Rashford is set to become the first male English player since Gary Lineker to start a game for the club.

Last season’s top scorer, Robert Lewandowski, may not be back from a hamstring injury until Barca’s expected return to the revamped Camp Nou.

At least the first three league games of their season will be away, meaning they will not play a home match until mid-September at the earliest.

Where will Barcelona finish in 2025/26?

They may need to dominate the derbies again but the trend of the title swapping hands each season should hold few fears for Barca, not least because Madrid have had significantly less preparation time following their involvement in the draining Club World Cup in the US.

The main danger is the potential revitalisation of Los Blancos under new manager Xabi Alonso, who dethroned Bayern with Leverkusen during an unbeaten 2023/24 season. Madrid will also be eager to avenge defeats in the Copa del Rey and Spanish Super Cup finals.