Real Madrid is set to open the 2025–26 La Liga season on August 16 against Osasuna. But if it were up to the Spanish Soccer Players Association (AFE), that date would have to change. The union has formally requested the postponement of the Madrid club’s first match, regardless of how the team performs at the Club World Cup. Otherwise, the players won’t have enough time to recover after a season that, in reality, hasn’t even finished yet.
According to the current schedule, Real Madrid could play in the Club World Cup final on July 13 and be back on the field for La Liga just over 30 days later. The problem is that this goes against a basic clause in Spain’s collective labor agreement, which guarantees players 30 consecutive days of vacation, with at least 21 taken in one continuous stretch. The AFE sees the situation as urgent and has already proposed three alternative dates for the opener: August 27, October 29, or December 3.
Packed schedules aren’t anything new
The overload in the schedules of European clubs, especially the top ones, is nothing new. What’s different now is how openly the issue is being called out. The AFE isn’t asking for favors or trying to push secondary interests. The union is simply trying to make sure players’ labor rights are respected. And that should be a priority for any professional league.
The agreement made before the Club World Cup involved the AFE, the captains of Real Madrid and Atlético de Madrid, and the tournament’s organizers. It was agreed that if any of the Spanish clubs reached the final, their La Liga openers would be postponed.
This is simply about ensuring that a basic right is upheld. A soccer player is a professional like anyone else. When a season ends, they need time to recover, physically and mentally.
The issue is that if Real Madrid reaches the final, they’ll have just 33 days before the start of La Liga. That may seem like a decent break at first glance, but that window includes travel, recovery, preseason, tactical sessions, and media obligations. In practice, there’s very little actual rest time left.
AFE isn’t just protecting Real Madrid
Even though the request is centered around Real Madrid, AFE’s stance goes further. The union is concerned with the players’ health and the future of Spanish soccer. If a club like Madrid, with all its weight and influence, is forced into a rushed debut with no time to prepare, what happens to everyone else?
The union argues that Real Madrid represents the highest level of national competition and that its players add value not just to the club, but to La Liga itself. Forcing a season opener under compromised physical conditions makes no sense. It hurts performance, raises the risk of injury, and weakens the product on the field.
The demand for Madrid to play on August 16 isn’t just a matter of scheduling. It has real effects on player performance and how the coaching staff plans for the start of the season. Players like Vinícius Jr., Bellingham, and Valverde are likely to be involved in decisive matches at the Club World Cup and will barely have time to disconnect before jumping right back into Spanish soccer.