On this day in 1929, La Liga started its first ever season as 10 of Spain’s top clubs formed the first national league.
The Copa del Rey was already a firm fixture in the Spanish football calendar whilst regional leagues, such as the Catalonia league, were also in existence.
In 1927 the idea to form a national league was hatched and invitations were extended to Copa del Rey winners Barcelona, Real Madrid, Athletic Bilbao, Real Sociedad, Arenas Club de Getxo and Real Unión.
Whilst cup runners-up Atlético Madrid, Espanyol and Europa from Barcelona were also invited.
So as well as the four Basque clubs, three from Catalonia and two capital city clubs, Racing Santader clinched the last place as the winners of a knockout tournament.
Barcelona were the first champions with Real Madrid a close second … some things never change!
Since the league’s formation in 1929, Barcelona, Real Madrid and Athletic Bilbao have never left the top division however some of the clubs have fallen quite some way.
Arenas Club de Getxo and Europa now play in the regional fourth tier of Spanish football, the Tercera División, whilst Real Unión play in the third tier, in the Segunda B.
