To the well and back - how Malaga returned to La Liga

What the report says

Malaga have completed a return to La Liga after nearly a decade away, ending a long fall from the heights of their 2013 Champions League run. BBC Sport reports that the club, once backed by Qatari owner Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser Al Thani and featuring players such as Santi Cazorla, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Isco, later entered years of decline marked by financial problems, a European ban, relegation from the top division in 2018 and ongoing legal cases involving the former owner.

According to the article, the club’s recovery has been driven by a mix of academy talent, low-cost recruitment and strong local support. Court-appointed administrator Jose Maria Munoz has overseen operations since 2020, while the team has relied heavily on free agents, loans and youth players. One key figure in the recent rise was Juan Francisco Funes, a former teacher and reserve-team coach who used his classroom background to motivate a young squad. Malaga’s squad included academy graduates such as striker Chupe, winger David Larrubia and defender Diego Murillo.

The decisive step back to the top flight came in a play-off final against Almeria in the 2025-26 season. After a 0-0 first leg, Malaga won 2-1 away to secure promotion. BBC Sport says the club had one of the smallest budgets in the division, making the achievement notable in a league where rivals spent far more. The result sparked large celebrations in Malaga, highlighting how the team’s resurgence has reconnected the city with a club many feared had been lost.