La Liga President Javier Tebas declined a request from Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois to delay the 2025-26 league kickoff, insisting that players had to rest after the Club World Cup.
Real Madrid was eliminated from the tournament after suffering a 4-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the semi-finals earlier this week. This result means there will be a 41-day gap before the La Liga opener against Osasuna on August 19th.
Tebas explained that the Spanish Football Federation made the decision not to adjust the season’s start, a stance supported by La Liga. He noted that players would receive 21 days for vacation followed by 21 days of preseason training.
“They plan to take 20 days off instead of 21, and leagues like England’s Premier League and France’s Ligue 1 have not adjusted their schedules,” he told The Associated Press.
Madrid played 68 competitive matches during the season that began last August, including 38 in La Liga, 14 in the Champions League, 6 in the Copa del Rey and Club World Cup, plus two in the Spanish Super Cup and one each in the European Super Cup and the InterContinental Cup.
In the meantime, PSG is set to play its 65th match in Sunday’s Club World Cup final, while Chelsea will be taking part in their 64th match. PSG is also planning a season kick-off in Nantes from August 15-17, with Chelsea facing Crystal Palace on August 17.
“It’s always the same for La Liga,” Courtois expressed on Wednesday.
“We’ve never encountered such remarks from officials in Italy, the UK, or in leagues like the NBA and NFL.
“If Tebas has issues with the Club World Cup, that’s his prerogative, but it is part of the FIFA calendar. We’re in competition here; he just wants to draw attention to himself.”
Fan Take: This news is significant for soccer fans as it highlights the ongoing tension between club commitments and international tournaments, which can affect player performance and health. It also underscores the challenges La Liga faces in maintaining its relevance amidst a crowded football calendar, potentially impacting how fans view the league’s competitiveness.
