Tebas Rejects Real Madrid’s Request to Postpone the Start of LaLiga
The president of LaLiga, Javier Tebas, has rejected the request from Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois to postpone the start of the 2025-26 season to give players time to rest after the Club World Cup.
Real Madrid was eliminated from the tournament after a 4-0 defeat in the semi-finals against Paris Saint-Germain, which means they will have a 41-day break before their first La Liga match against Osasuna on August 19.
Tebas explained that the decision not to modify the start was made by the Spanish Football Federation and LaLiga agreed. He stated that the players would have 21 days of rest and 21 days of pre-season.
Javier Tebas
Real Madrid’s marathon season ended this week with a defeat against PSG in their 68th match.Tebas stated that the players will have 20 days of rest instead of 21, and that other leagues such as the Premier League or Ligue 1 are not changing their schedules. “I don’t think we should change the schedule for that reason, especially considering that it’s a matter of one day,” he added.
Madrid played 68 official matches in a season that began in August, including 38 in LaLiga, 14 in the Champions League, six in the Copa del Rey and the Club World Cup, two in the Spanish Super Cup and one in the European Super Cup and the Intercontinental Cup.
Meanwhile, PSG will play their 65th match in the Club World Cup final. PSG will start their season from August 15 to 17 against Nantes, while Chelsea will debut against Crystal Palace on August 17.
Courtois commented on Wednesday: “It’s always the same in La Liga.”
“Hearing those comments from a president is something I haven’t seen in Italy, England, the NBA, or the NFL.”
“It’s okay if Tebas doesn’t like the Club World Cup, but it exists. It’s part of the FIFA calendar. We are here competing, and it seems that this gentleman just wants to be the center of attention. I have never seen a president of another competition speak like that. The health of the players is at stake.”
