A look back at some classic games and events that took place this week in La Liga history
Barcelona's Antoine Griezmann poses during a photocall on July 13, 2019. Pic/ AFP
The La Liga is known to create many memorable moments not only on the football field but also off it. Antoine Griezmann went on to become one of the most impactful strikers in La Liga in the past decade ever since he joined the Catalans. Pepe too, began his journey over a decade ago at Real Madrid. Today, we look at some memorable events in La Liga history during this week.
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12th July: Pepe begins his Real Madrid journey (2007)
When Los Blancos unveiled Portuguese defender Pepe on this day back in 2007, few Real Madrid fans imagined that he’d go on to have such a lengthy, successful and trophy-laden career in the Spanish capital. Brazilian-born but having spent his entire professional career in Portuguese football, the then 24 years old went on to establish himself as one of Europe’s finest centre-backs, forming a formidable partnership with Sergio Ramos at the heart of the Real Madrid defensive line.
After winning the LaLiga title in his first season in Spanish football, Pepe went on to win three league titles and three Champions Leagues, among other trophies. Still playing top level football at the age of 38 back in Portugal, he is remembered fondly by fans and former teammates alike: “He gives us confidence, personality and helps all the other players,” said former coach Carlo Ancelotti, who recently returned to the club. “He is very important.”
14th July: Barcelona unveil Antoine Griezmann on Bastille Day (2019)
One of the longest ‘will he, won’t he?’ transfer sagas in recent LaLiga history came to an end on this day in 2019, when Antoine Griezmann finally dressed in an FC Barcelona shirt for the first time. The French World Cup winner had been the subject of long-running rumours of a switch to the Catalan capital, having impressed season after season for Diego Simeone’s Atletico de Madrid.
Having come through the ranks at Real Sociedad, a big-money move to Atleti in 2014 saw him take his game to the next level. Almost 100 LaLiga goals in 180 appearances for Los Colchoneros turned heads in Barcelona, who saw him as the ideal reinforcement for a side looking to complement Lionel Messi in the attack. Griezmann’s first season at the Camp Nou was perhaps more inconsistent than he’d have hoped, but the arrival of Ronald Koeman in the summer of 2020 saw him settle in the first team and pick up his first piece of silverware in Barça colours: the 2021 Copa del Rey.
15th July: Real Madrid stay perfect after lockdown to win their 34th LaLiga title (2020)
The 2019/20 LaLiga Santander season was unforgettable for many reasons, not least the enforced three-month break from March until June due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. In the minds of Real Madrid fans, the season will also go down in the history books for the way in which their side romped to the title – the 34th in club history – with ten wins and a draw following the return from lockdown.
A dramatic 2-0 win in ElClasico against FC Barcelona in late February had seen Zinedine Zidane’s side take the initiative in the title race, only to fall behind again the following week with a surprise loss against Real Betis, leaving Barcelona in pole position once again when the pandemic struck. Any doubts over the Los Blancos’ state of mind were quickly dispelled following the restart in June, however. Ten straight wins, including tricky victories over Real Sociedad, Athletic Club and Villarreal CF, saw Real Madrid claim the title vs the latter on this day with one match to spare in commanding fashion.
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