Features
WED 31.12.2014
2014 will be an unforgettable year for the Liga de Fútbol Profesional, as all the titles that form part of the season were won by Spanish clubs. Atlético Madrid, Real Madrid CF and Sevilla FC contributed to a dream year, while SD Eibar, and Córdoba CF and RC Deportivo achieved their goal of playing in the Liga BBVA.
Atlético Madrid culminated a spectacular few years by becoming Liga BBVA champions. After 38 matches, Diego Pablo Simeon's men saw off all their challengers to win the league title 18 years after they last lifted the trophy. This qualified them for the Spanish Super Cup against their neighbours Real Madrid, where they would win again to take their second title of the year.
Victory in all international competitions
The Whites also had plenty to celebrate and had an unprecedented season: they won four titles in a calendar year for the first time. Their first was the Copa del Rey, to which they added the long-awaited Décima, the UEFA Champions League. They later won the European Super Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup.
Unai Emery's Sevilla also earned a new trophy to add to the club's cabinet. The Andalusian side won their third UEFA Europa League by beating SL Benfica in a penalty shootout. The result puts the Spanish side at the top of the tournament's all-time winners table, level with Juventus FC, Liverpool FC and FC Internazionale Milano.
A newcomer to the Liga BBVA
SD Eibar won the Liga Adelante and automatic promotion to the Liga BBVA, where they had never played before. RC Deportivo, who finished second, returned to the division a year after their relegation. Finally, Córdoba CF won the playoffs to return to the Spanish topflight after a 42-year absence.
Cristiano and Messi, individual leaders
Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, for their part, were the biggest winners on an individual level. The Real Madrid player won his third FIFA Ballon d'Or and his third Golden Shoe, shared with Luis Suárez, now an FC Barcelona player. The Argentinian, for his part, is now a living legend of the Liga BBVA after becoming the top-scorer of all time with by surpassing the 251 mark set by Telmo Zarra. Both players are also currently the top goal-scorers in the UEFA Champions League having surpassed Raúl's haul of 71.
© LALIGA - 2014