Luis Figo warns La Liga title could be decided early

Real Madrid are stumbling, Barcelona are flying, and one of the great symbols of the modern Clásico has put it in stark terms. Luis Figo, the man whose move from Barcelona to Real Madrid once split Spanish football in two, now finds himself applauding the Catalans’ blistering start and warning his old club of the consequences.

Six points off the top, Madrid are already chasing shadows. Barcelona, meanwhile, have been ruthless: seven wins from seven, 21 points from 21, and 31 goals scored. That’s title-winning pace.

Figo didn’t sugar-coat it.

Speaking to Spanish radio station Marca, the former Ballon d’Or winner and current UEFA adviser admitted that Barcelona’s early form is close to irresistible.

“They have started very strongly. They are winning, playing well and scoring goals. For Spanish football, this is of course a good thing,” he said, acknowledging the quality on display at Camp Nou.

The numbers back him up. Barcelona aren’t just edging games, they are blowing teams away. If that rhythm holds, the title race could feel brutally short.

Figo’s warning was clear: if this level continues, La Liga might be effectively decided long before spring. The pressure on Madrid is already building.

“Real Madrid will compete until the end”

Even with that gloomy backdrop, Figo refused to write off the club he joined in the summer of 2000. The competitive instinct that defined his playing days remains intact.

“I am sure Real Madrid will compete until the end,” he insisted, backing the mentality inside the Bernabéu.

He framed the league as a test of endurance, not just talent. “This is a competition that requires consistency until the month of May. There will be ups and downs during the season, and when they happen the team must show the maturity and quality to overcome them.”

That is the challenge facing Madrid now: turn a poor start into a slow burn, not a spiral. Six points can vanish quickly in a long campaign, but only if a team finds its level fast.

Derby defeat and Mourinho’s fury

The latest blow came in the city derby. A 2-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid on Sunday deepened the sense of unease around Carlo Ancelotti’s side and fuelled another stormy episode involving Jose Mourinho.

Figo, though, stayed firmly on the sidelines of that particular drama.

He revealed he had not watched the match, explaining he was in Zurich at the time, and refused to be drawn into Mourinho’s post-game complaints about the refereeing.

“He did what he thought he would do at that moment. I do not have to comment on it. I think these are personal acts, and if he did it, it was because he felt that way,” Figo said, cool and detached, choosing not to stoke the fire.

While others argue about officials and decisions, his focus remained on the broader picture: form, consistency, and the ability of big clubs to ride out turbulence.

Ballon d’Or talk and praise for Mbappé

The conversation inevitably turned to the Ballon d’Or, with voting set to close next Monday. This is usually Figo’s terrain, a prize he knows intimately. This time, he stepped away.

“I do not vote, so this is not on my mind. Those who make the decision are the ones who vote and we have to wait,” he said, refusing to be dragged into the prediction game.

One name did light him up, though: Kylian Mbappé.

“He is always at a very high level. He has got us used to being one of the best players in the world and to scoring goals,” Figo said, offering unreserved admiration for the French forward.

As Barcelona tear through opponents and Real Madrid try to steady themselves, Figo’s words hang in the air. If Madrid don’t react soon, they won’t just be chasing Barcelona. They’ll be chasing a season that might already be slipping away.