Kuala Lumpur: The race for the Spanish football top flight, LaLiga, is expected to remain wide open until the final weeks of the season, with no clear frontrunner in sight, says former FC Barcelona and Atletico Madrid player Luis Garcia. Garcia believed that the championship may only be decided in the last two or three matches, as top two teams, Barcelona and Real Madrid, still continue to face tight schedules, European competitions, and increasing fatigue among key players.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Garcia remarked, “We’re going to see very exciting games and I don’t think we’re going to see a big favourite until the last two or three games,” in an exclusive interview ahead of the EA FC 25 Tournament Beat the Best grand final. After 30 matches, Barcelona is currently at the top of the league with 67 points followed by Real Madrid (63 points) while Atletico Madrid made up the top three teams (60 points).
Even though many thought that the Catalans are the favourites to clinch their 28th LaLiga title,
the ex-Spain international noted that The Galacticos have been consistent in picking up results, even without playing their best football. The former UEFA Champions League winner who played for Liverpool during the 2004/2005 season also highlighted the importance of the upcoming El Clasico, calling it a fixture between Barcelona and Real Madrid on May 11, suggesting it could shift momentum for either side.
Despite recent eliminations from both the Champions League and Copa del Rey, the 46-year-old advised against ruling out Atletico Madrid entirely from the LaLiga title race. The newly-appointed Johor Darul Ta’zim chief executive officer expressed confidence that the team will respond positively and attempt to close the gap at the top of the LaLiga table.
On the EA FC 25 Tournament Beat the Best, Garcia mentioned that the inaugural event is an initiative to give back to all the support that LaLiga receives from the passionate fans in Malaysia. Meanwhile, LaLiga delegate in Malaysia, Adrian Prol, expressed d
elight in hosting the event in the country, describing it as a unique experience that combines video games, football lovers, technology, and entertainment. The grand final, featuring the top 16 players from the online tournament, will be held tomorrow, with the champion standing a chance to win a cash prize of RM2,500 and a trip to Spain to experience LaLiga firsthand.