Ranking the team with most La Liga titles: How many more do Real Madrid have than Barcelona?

The storied history of La Liga traces back to its inaugural season in 1929. The competition was first proposed by José María Acha, a director at Arenas Club de Getxo, and eventually organized by the Royal Spanish Football Federation. In that maiden campaign, only 10 elite clubs participated, and it was FC Barcelona who etched their name as the first-ever champions, securing the title with 25 points from 18 matches. 

Since that humble beginning nearly a century ago, La Liga has evolved through 94 seasons (as of 2025), featuring a total of 63 different clubs. However, the path to glory is exceptionally narrow; in nearly 100 years of competition, only 9 teams have ever been crowned champions.

It is a staggering statistic that despite being one of the oldest leagues in the world, 3 of these 9 champions have tasted glory only once. While readers might instinctively know that Barcelona and Real Madrid lead the pack, Spbolivescore confirms that these 2 giants have effectively cast a shadow over the entire Iberian Peninsula. 

The scale of Real Madrid’s success is particularly overwhelming; even if you combined the titles of 7 other historical champions, they still would not equal the tally of the team with most La Liga titles. Let us dive into the rankings to discover the trophies and legends behind each club.

Who is the team with the most La Liga titles?

Sevilla, Real Betis, Deportivo La Coruña (1 titles)

At the base of our list are Sevilla FC and Real Betis, the 2 fierce rivals from Seville, along with Deportivo La Coruña, each holding 1 La Liga title. Sevilla’s lone triumph occurred in the 1945-46 season after decades of persistence. While they haven't won the league since, they became the undisputed masters of the UEFA Europa League, holding a record 7 trophies. Real Betis secured their historic title earlier, in 1934-35, marking a rare pre-civil war victory for Andalusia. 

Decades later, the 1999-2000 season saw Deportivo La Coruña stun the world. Under Javier Irureta, and led by the clinical Roy Makaay, "Super Depor" shattered the Barca-Madrid duopoly, finishing with 69 points. 

Real Sociedad (2 titles) 

Moving up, we find Real Sociedad with 2 titles, both won during a golden era in 1980-81 and 1981-82. Managed by Alberto Ormaetxea, the Basque side showcased incredible tactical cohesion. This period remains the pinnacle of their history, proving that local talent could topple the giants of the capital.

Valencia (6 titles)

In the middle tier sits Valencia CF with 6 titles. Their first victory came in 1941-42, but their most iconic era was the early 2000s under Rafael Benítez. Winning the league in 2002 and 2004, Valencia was praised for a suffocating defensive system and lethal counter-attacks, featuring stars like Vicente and Pablo Aimar. Their 2004 title, won with 77 points, cemented their status as a global powerhouse, complemented by a UEFA Cup trophy in the same year.

Athletic Bilbao (8 titles)

As one of the few clubs never relegated, their identity is tied to their "Basque-only" policy. Their most dominant stretch was the early 1930s, followed by back-to-back titles in 1982-83 and 1983-84 under Javier Clemente. That 1984 team is legendary for its grit and physical style, famously winning the domestic double.

Atletico Madrid (11 titles)

Atletico Madrid holds the third spot with 11 titles. Their identity changed forever under Diego Simeone, who led them to titles in 2013-14 and 2020-21. The 2021 victory, secured with 86 points, was a masterclass in resilience, led by the veteran Luis Suárez. Beyond Spain, Atletico has won 3 Europa Leagues.

Barcelona (28 titles)

Their history changed in 1990 when Johan Cruyff’s "dream team" won 4 consecutive titles. However, the most dominant era in football history came under Pep Guardiola (2008–2011), where Xavi, Iniesta, and Messi perfected "Tiki-taka." 

Their latest triumph in 2024/25 under Hansi Flick showed a rejuvenated side winning the league and the Copa del Rey, further narrowing the gap at the top. With 32 Copa del Rey titles, they remain the undisputed "King of Cups."

Real Madrid (36 titles)

Los Blancos are the quintessential team with most La Liga titles. Their dominance spans decades: from the 1960s with Alfredo Di Stéfano and Ferenc Puskas, to the 1980s "Quinta del Buitre," and the modern "Galáctico" eras. Their 2023/24 season was one of the greatest ever, cruising to the title with 95 points, their best-ever performance and only 1 defeat. 

With a record 15 Champions League trophies and 9 world titles, Real Madrid’s museum is the most decorated in sports history.

Summary of 9 La Liga champions:

Real Madrid: 36 titles

FC Barcelona: 28 titles

Atletico Madrid: 11 titles

Athletic Club: 8 titles

Valencia: 6 titles

Real Sociedad: 2 titles

Deportivo La Coruña: 1 title

Sevilla: 1 title

Real Betis: 1 title

In the last 15 years, the dominance of the Big 2 has been nearly total. According to Spbolivescore, only Atletico Madrid, with 2 courageous titles, has managed to break the stranglehold of Real Madrid and Barcelona. As the current season unfolds, it appears the race for the team with most La Liga titles remains a private duel between these 2 colossal institutions.

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