La Liga in January 2026: Impacts and Transitions in Men’s and Women’s Leagues

The first half of 2026 brings significant news in both the transfer market and recent results in La Liga, across its men’s and women’s divisions. In the women’s league, Athletic Club achieved a historic victory at Estadio Alfredo Di Stéfano against Real Madrid, breaking their winless streak at the venue and extending their unbeaten run since October. Sara Ortega scored the decisive goal in a match defined by the standout performance of debutant goalkeeper Olatz Santana, who was instrumental in thwarting Madrid’s attacks and keeping a clean sheet despite multiple attempts. This win positions Athletic optimistically for their upcoming Liga F fixtures, aiming to climb the table and remain competitive for future challenges.

In Spain’s men’s league, the season’s start has been fraught with challenges, including a delayed kickoff due to disputes between La Liga and the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), as well as empty stadiums because of health restrictions. The official opener saw Eibar and Celta Vigo play to a goalless draw in a lackluster match. Meanwhile, Valencia, despite losing key players like Ferran Torres, Dani Parejo, and Rodrigo Moreno, secured an encouraging 4-2 win over Levante, fueled by a stellar debut from youngster Yunus Musah. Manager Javi Gracia noted: “Today’s result doesn’t change what the team needs. The situation remains the same, but [Yunus] also showed us our own strengths.”

Not all clubs have fared well, however. Real Sociedad lost Norwegian talent Martin Ødegaard to Real Madrid’s recall, and though they signed veteran David Silva on a free transfer to fill the creative void, the midfielder tested positive for coronavirus on his presentation day, missing his official debut in a 1-1 draw against Real Valladolid—limiting the team’s offensive potential.

In the transfer market, there’s a notable surge in interest from Liga MX clubs in players from Major League Soccer (MLS). This window has seen several high-profile moves, with Mexican teams strengthening their rosters with North American league talent. Pumas UNAM, for example, signed Adalberto Carrasquilla (from Houston Dynamo) and Pedro Vite (from Vancouver Whitecaps). Another key case is Club Deportivo Guadalajara (Chivas), which has bet on Mexican-American players like Miguel Tapias (from Minnesota United), Daniel Aguirre (from LA Galaxy), and Brian Gutiérrez (from Chicago Fire). These signings aim to leverage the growth and experience gained in the MLS to boost competitiveness in Mexico.

The most prominent transfers at the start of 2026 include Brian Gutiérrez (Chicago Fire to Chivas), Luca Orellano (FC Cincinnati to Monterrey), and Josef Martínez (San Jose Earthquakes to Xolos de Tijuana). Other notable moves were Danny Leyva (Seattle Sounders to Necaxa), Carlos Gruezo (San Jose Earthquakes to Santos Laguna), and Rodrigo Schlegel (Orlando City to Atlas). However, not all transfers have paid off: Cruz Azul saw no returns from Giorgos Giakoumakis and Mateusz Bogusz, while Chivas failed to make an impact with Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernández and Alan Pulido after their MLS returns.

This talent flow underscores a paradigm shift where the MLS is emerging as a breeding ground and valuable market for Liga MX, reflecting the globalization and dynamism of football in North and Latin America. Meanwhile, La Liga continues to navigate its own transitions and challenges, maintaining its competitive edge while addressing unforeseen circumstances and keeping passion alive across all its divisions.