La Liga is more than El Clásico. Behind the two giants, there's a league full of history, surprise champions and legendary players. How much of it do you know?
10 questions on La Liga's history, its clubs, record-breakers and defining moments from 1929 to today.
Pick your level
For many international fans, La Liga means one thing: Real Madrid versus Barcelona. El Clásico is one of the most watched sporting events on the planet, and for good reason. But the league, founded in 1929, has always been more than that rivalry. Atlético de Madrid have won it twice under Diego Simeone. Athletic Bilbao, with their unique policy of only signing Basque players, have never been relegated since day one. The history runs deep.
The decade from 2008 to 2019 was dominated by the Messi-Ronaldo era, when two of the greatest players in history were playing in the same league at the same time and combining for 8 Ballon d'Or awards. Guardiola's Barcelona redefined what tiki-taka football could look like. And Iniesta and Xavi, two midfielders who rarely raised their voice, quietly became two of the best players the sport has ever seen. This quiz tests how much of that you know.
All ten easy level questions, with the answer and the reasoning behind it.
Correct answer: White
White, hence one of the club's nicknames.
Correct answer: Gareth Bale
Gareth Bale, for a then world-record fee.
Correct answer: Portugal
Portugal, whom he captained to the Euro 2016 title.
Correct answer: Paris Saint-Germain
Paris Saint-Germain, after an emotional farewell at the Camp Nou.
Correct answer: Atlético de Madrid
Atlético de Madrid, the city's other giant.
Correct answer: Catalonia
Catalonia, on the Mediterranean coast.
Correct answer: Pep Guardiola
Pep Guardiola, in his very first full season as a senior manager.
Correct answer: France
France, with whom he won the 2018 World Cup.
Correct answer: Seville
Seville, in Andalusia, also home to Real Betis.
Correct answer: 3
Three, to the Segunda División.
Want to warm up before playing or double-check something? Open any question to reveal the correct answer and a short explanation.
Correct answer: Real Madrid
Real Madrid are the most successful club in La Liga history with 35 Spanish championship titles. FC Barcelona are second with 27. These two clubs have dominated Spanish football since the league was founded in 1929.
Correct answer: 1929
La Liga was founded in 1929. The inaugural edition was won by FC Barcelona. The championship was suspended during the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939).
Correct answer: Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi scored 50 goals in La Liga during the 2011-12 season, an all-time record in the history of the Spanish championship. He also holds the all-time La Liga goals record with over 470 strikes.
Correct answer: Los Blaugrana
FC Barcelona are nicknamed "Los Blaugrana" (blue and claret) after the colours of their kit. The club is also known as "El Barça". Los Merengues refers to Real Madrid, while Los Colchoneros and Los Rojiblancos are both used for Atlético de Madrid.
Correct answer: Athletic Bilbao
Athletic Club (Athletic Bilbao) is one of only three clubs never to have been relegated from La Liga since 1929, alongside Real Madrid and FC Barcelona. The club has a unique policy of signing only players from the Basque Country.
Correct answer: Diego Simeone
Diego Simeone took charge of Atlético de Madrid in December 2011. Under him, the club has won 2 La Liga titles (2014 and 2021) and reached 2 Champions League finals. He transformed the club into a direct rival of Real Madrid and Barcelona.
Correct answer: Barcelona
The Camp Nou is located in Barcelona. It is FC Barcelona's home ground and previously held up to 99,354 spectators, making it the largest stadium in Europe. It is currently under renovation and the club is playing its home matches elsewhere temporarily.
Correct answer: Andrés Iniesta
Andrés Iniesta scored the decisive goal in the 2010 World Cup final against the Netherlands. He also won Euro 2008 and Euro 2012. Alongside Xavi, he embodied the tiki-taka style of Pep Guardiola's Barcelona.
Correct answer: 20
La Liga features 20 clubs each season. The bottom three are relegated to the Segunda División and replaced by the top two from that division and the play-off winner. This 20-team format mirrors the English Premier League.
Correct answer: Iker Casillas
Iker Casillas won the 2010 World Cup and two European Championships (2008 and 2012) with Spain. A long-serving Real Madrid goalkeeper, he is considered one of the greatest keepers in the history of Spanish football with around 510 La Liga appearances.
Stuck on one, or just curious how nasty it gets? Every hard mode question is here with its answer and the reasoning behind it.
Correct answer: The Yellow Submarine
The Yellow Submarine, thanks to their colours and the Beatles.
Correct answer: Valencia
Valencia, in one of Spain's steepest and loudest grounds.
Correct answer: Real Betis
Real Betis, the other half of Seville.
Correct answer: 7
Seven, and they have an uncanny record in finals.
Correct answer: Rafael Benítez
Rafael Benítez, before leaving for Liverpool.
Correct answer: Luís Figo
Luís Figo. A pig's head was thrown at him on his return to the Camp Nou.
Correct answer: Diego Maradona
Diego Maradona, whose time there was hit by illness and injury.
Correct answer: Ronaldinho
Ronaldinho, after two wonderful goals. Madrid fans do not do that often.
Correct answer: Only players from the Basque Country area
Only players from the Basque Country area, or trained there.
Correct answer: Espanyol
Espanyol, whose derby with Barça is a very bad-tempered affair.