Barcelona end the year top of the table: How many teams went on to win LaLiga after being crowned winter champions?

La Liga EA Sports is nearing the halfway mark, and we already have a “winter champion”: Barcelona.

Even with one league match left before the midpoint—just like Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid, who are also competing in the Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia—neither rival can catch Barça.

The Catalan side holds a four‑point lead over Xabi Alonso’s Madrid and a nine‑point cushion over Atleti. Villarreal, Barcelona’s opponent this past Sunday and currently sitting fourth, still has three games left in the first half of the season. But even if Villarreal won all nine points, they wouldn’t surpass Hansi Flick’s squad.

Being crowned “winter champion” isn’t an official title, but it often serves as a strong predictor of how the season will end. Historically, many teams leading at the halfway point have gone on to win the Spanish league.

Barça’s track record

The last time Barcelona claimed winter champion honors was in the 2022‑23 season, when they ultimately lifted the La Liga trophy. In total, the club has finished the first half of the season on top 26 times, converting that advantage into a league championship on 16 occasions. The most recent was four seasons ago, under then‑coach Xavi Hernández.

Winter champions don’t always finish first

Still, topping the table at midseason doesn’t guarantee a league title. History shows plenty of winter champions who faltered down the stretch.

Below is the full record of Spain’s winter champions and which teams ultimately won La Liga each year—a reminder that while Barcelona’s current position is promising, the second half of the season can bring surprises.

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