Staff Reporter.
Real Madrid are champions of Spain for the 36th time after their 3-0 win over Cádiz was followed by a 2-4 defeat for Barcelona at Girona that meant Carlo Ancelotti’s side’s lead at the top of La Liga is unassailable.
Los Blancos had to wait after their victory for the result of Barca’s match, whom they needed to drop points so they could seal a record-extending 36th Spanish title.
Carlo Ancelotti’s Madrid lead second-place Girona by 13 points with just 12 left in play, while last year’s champions Barcelona are third, another point behind.
Barcelona led 2-1 at half-time, but three second-half goals from Girona left Real with an unassailable lead at the summit with four matches of the season remaining.
England midfielder Jude Bellingham has been a key figure in Real’s success, having scored 18 goals in 26 La Liga games in his first season with the club.
Bellingham posted on X, “CAMPEONES!!! HALA MADRID Y NADA MAS!!!” which translates as “Champions!!! Go Madrid and nothing more!!!”.
The 20-year-old joins Laurie Cunningham (1979–80), Steve McManaman (2000–01 and 2002–03), David Beckham (2006-07) and Kieran Trippier (2020-21) as Englishmen to win La Liga.
Los Blancos have lost just one league game this season and could potentially finish the campaign with 99 points, which would be their second-highest total ever.
It is Ancelotti’s second La Liga title as Real coach, having previously won it in 2021-22.
Real have now won nine more titles than the 27 held by Barcelona.
The 14-time European Cup winners face Bayern Munich at the Bernabeu on Wednesday in the second leg of their Champions League semi-final, having drawn 2-2 at the Allianz Arena.
Compiled by Lehlohonolo Lehana.