2008–09 La Liga
The 2008–09 La Liga season (known as the Liga BBVA for sponsorship reasons) was the 78th since its establishment. Real Madrid were the defending champions, having won their 31st La Liga title in the previous season. The campaign began on 30 August 2008 and ended on 31 May 2009. A total of 20 teams contested the league, 17 of which already contested in the 2007–08 season, and three of which were promoted from the Segunda División. A new match ball – the Nike T90 Omni – served as the official ball for all matches.
| Season | 2008–09 |
|---|---|
| Dates | 30 August 2008 – 31 May 2009 |
| Champions | Barcelona 19th title |
| Relegated | Betis Numancia Recreativo |
| Champions League | Barcelona (group stage) Real Madrid (group stage) Sevilla (group stage) Atlético Madrid (playoff round) |
| Europa League | Villarreal (playoff round) Valencia (playoff round) Athletic Bilbao (third qualifying round) (via Copa del Rey) |
| Matches played | 380 |
| Goals scored | 1,101 (2.9 per match) |
| Top goalscorer | Diego Forlán (32 goals) |
| Biggest home win | Real Madrid 7–1 Sporting (24 September 2008) Barcelona 6–0 Valladolid (8 November 2008) Barcelona 6–0 Málaga (22 March 2009) |
| Biggest away win | Sporting 1–6 Barcelona (21 September 2008) |
| Highest scoring | Real Madrid 7–1 Sporting (24 September 2008) Real Madrid 2–6 Barcelona (2 May 2009) Deportivo 5–3 Racing (8 March 2009) Villarreal 4–4 Atlético Madrid (26 October 2008) |
← 2007–08 2009–10 → | |
On 16 May 2009, after Villarreal's 3–2 victory over Real Madrid, Barcelona were declared champions, their 19th La Liga title, with three matches to play. Lionel Messi received the inaugural LaLiga Award for Best Player from the Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional.