The best footballers in history would thrive in any era. With evolving styles, discourse and perceptions, some players gain recognition too late, or seem ill-fitted for the era of their circumstance. If ever there was a player made for his exact moment, it is Spain’s Rodri. Defensive midfielder, box-to-box, deep lying playmaker, he can do […]
After a dramatic final day in the Segunda Division, the club secured a crucial league position that keeps promotion hopes intact and sets up a high-stakes postseason battle for a place in La Liga. Cristiano Ronaldo’s dream of seeing Almeria return to Spain’s top flight remains alive, but the road ahead is now clearly defined. After a dramatic final day in the Segunda Division, the club secured a crucial league position that keeps promotion hopes intact and sets up a high-stakes postseason battle for a place in La Liga. The Spanish club, in which Cristiano Ronaldo recently became a co-owner, endured an emotional afternoon before finally securing the opportunity to continue its promotion push. What comes next could determine whether Almeria returns to the elite level of Spanish soccer after four years away. Almeria entered the final round knowing that a place in the promotion playoffs was far from guaranteed. Despite occupying a strong position in the standings, results elsewhere threatened to derail the club’s ambitions throughout the afternoon. As scores unfolded across Spain, the Rojiblancos slipped down the live table and briefly found itself outside the playoff places. At various moments, the club dropped from third to fourth, then fifth, sixth, and even seventh place, leaving promotion hopes hanging by a thread. The tension inside the stadium grew as rival clubs continued to win their matches. Almeria needed a breakthrough and knew that one goal could completely change the picture. Arribas’ goal to be crowned top scorer and secure a place in the play-offs 👑⚽#LALIGAHighlights pic.twitter.com/2oOjO3dn3I— UD Almería (@UDAlmeria_Eng) June 2, 2026 That decisive moment arrived shortly after halftime when Sergio Arribas converted a penalty, giving Almeria a 1-0 victory over Real Valladolid and securing third place in the final Segunda Division standings. The result represented a massive achievement considering the pressure surrounding the occasion. After suffering consecutive defeats before the final round, Almeria responded when it mattered most. One promotion spot remains While Racing Santander secured the Segunda Division title and Deportivo La Coruna earned automatic promotion by finishing second, only one promotion place remains available. That final spot will now be contested by Almeria, Malaga, Las Palmas, and Castellon, with only one club eventually joining Racing and Deportivo in next season’s La Liga. The playoff system has been part of Spanish soccer since 2011 and consistently delivers dramatic finishes. This season appears no different, especially considering how competitive the race remained until the very last day. Almeria’s journey almost ended before it truly began, but Arribas’ penalty ensured the club remains in contention. Ya quedaron definidos los Playoff de @LaLiga2 para el ascenso a @LaLiga ¿Quién creéis que asciende? pic.twitter.com/I0eUKHcucY— Borja (@AlamyFutbol) June 1, 2026 Why the third place finish could be crucial Finishing third brought more than just qualification for the playoffs. Almeria earned home advantage throughout the promotion playoffs, a significant benefit under Segunda Division regulations. If a tie remains level on aggregate after both matches and extra time, the higher-ranked team advances automatically. That means their league position could prove decisive if any playoff encounter becomes deadlocked. The club’s players and supporters celebrated the achievement, knowing they had successfully completed the first stage of their mission. However, the most difficult challenge is still ahead. The playoff path is now confirmed With the regular season officially concluded, the promotion playoff bracket has been finalized. Almeria will face Castellon in the playoff semi-finals, while Malaga will take on Las Palmas in the other semifinal. The first leg between Almeria and Castellon will be played at Castalia Stadium on Saturday, June 6, with the return leg scheduled next Tuesday, June 9, at t
Amid a turbulent week marked by the altercation between Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni, Real Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa shared his thoughts on the matter. Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni have been at the center of a hectic week for Real Madrid, just ahead of facing Barcelona in a match that could prove decisive in the La Liga title race. In that context, Alvaro Arbeloa addressed the situation. “I have to say two things,” the Real Madrid coach began during Saturday’s press conference. “First, I am very proud of the firmness, speed, and transparency with which the club acted. And second, the players have already expressed their regret. They acknowledged their mistake. They accepted the consequences of what they did and apologized to the fans, the club, the locker room… and to me. That is enough for me.” After defending the personal and professional qualities of Valverde and Tchouameni, insisting that they “represent very well what Real Madrid are about,” Arbeloa added: “I’m not going to burn my players at the stake publicly, because they do not deserve that.” The coach then took an unexpected turn in his remarks and pointed to what he considers the real issue. “The fact that things happening inside the locker room are being leaked seems like treason against Real Madrid to me,” he said firmly. “An absolute act of disloyalty toward this badge. And it makes me very sad.” Tchouameni and Valverde. Arbeloa recalls similar fights between teammates During the same press conference, a reporter asked Alvaro Arbeloa whether he truly believed the conflict had not been that serious and had instead been exaggerated by the media. “Look… I had a teammate once who picked up a golf club and hit another teammate with it,” the coach responded. “These are situations that should not happen between teammates, but they have always happened. Everywhere. And I’m not justifying it, not at all. But of course I’ve experienced even worse situations,” added Arbeloa, who played for Real Madrid, Deportivo La Coruna, Liverpool, and West Ham between 2002 and 2017. Real Madrid prepare for El Clasico Amid this backdrop of internal conflict and chaos, Real Madrid now face the final major challenge of the 2025-26 season. On Sunday, they will visit Barcelona at Camp Nou in a match they must win to prevent their rivals from clinching the La Liga title. “Let’s not forget that tomorrow is Barcelona vs. Real Madrid,” Arbeloa said amid the nonstop questions regarding the conflict between Valverde and Tchouameni. “It is the match that draws the most attention in the world… I hope it will be a great match against a great opponent.”
The club is now within touching distance of the elite tier, with pressure mounting as the season approaches its decisive final stretch and four matches remaining to decide its fate. Cristiano Ronaldo’s most recent investment, Almeria, continues to push toward La Liga promotion after extending its dominant home form with a record-breaking consecutive victory at home, tightening its grip on a top-two finish in Spain’s Segunda Division. The club is now within touching distance of the elite tier, with pressure mounting as the season approaches its decisive final stretch and four matches remaining to decide its fate. Almeria’s 4-2 win over Mirandes was more than just another three points; it marked an eighth straight home victory, setting a new club record in the process. That run has included wins over teams such as Leganes, Malaga, and FC Andorra, underlining the consistency that has defined their season. “The Andalusian outfit have set a new club record, underlining the importance of maintaining their dominance on home soil,” reported Diario de Almeria. The streak began in early February and has turned their stadium into a key foundation for their promotion ambitions. Mirandes entered the match hoping to disrupt that momentum, but Almeria maintained control and continued their push toward the top of the table. The result ensured they remain firmly in the automatic promotion places. Cristiano Ronaldo’s involvement adds global attention The presence of Cristiano Ronaldo as an investor has brought additional attention to Almeria’s rise, with his ownership stake of 25% in the club confirmed earlier this year. While he is not involved on the pitch, his association has increased global interest in the club’s progress. His name continues to be linked with the project as Almeria aims to return to La Liga, where financial and sporting rewards are significantly higher. The club’s upward trajectory has only intensified scrutiny as the season reaches its climax. Promotion race reaches boiling point With four games left, Almeria sits second in the Segunda Division with 70 points, just behind leaders Racing Santander on 72. The situation is tight, with Deportivo La Coruna and Las Palmas also closing in behind Los Rojiblancos in a fiercely competitive race. The promotion system is unforgiving: the top two teams go directly up, while those finishing third to sixth must navigate the pressure-filled playoffs. 🔥Tensión hasta el final.👏🏼 Apoya, ahora más que nunca, a tu equipo.#DESENLACELALIGA #42LEGADOSLALIGA pic.twitter.com/82xMNv3yyj— LALIGA HYPERMOTION (@LaLiga2) May 5, 2026 Almeria currently holds one of those automatic spots, but the margin is razor-thin. The equation is simple but brutal: consistency will decide everything in the final weeks, and even a single poor result could shift the entire structure of the table. What Almeria needs to secure promotion While nothing is mathematically decided, the path forward is becoming clearer. A perfect finish would take Almeria to 82 points, which would almost certainly guarantee promotion regardless of rival results. However, realistically, analysts suggest it likely needs between eight and 10 points from its final four matches to stay safe. That would place the Cowboys in the 78-80 point range, historically strong enough for a top-two finish in this division. Anything below that threshold could open the door for Deportivo La Coruna or Las Palmas to overtake it in the final weeks. Almeria’s four remaining games in the Segunda Division The final stretch is unforgiving, with Almeria facing Burgos on May 9, La Palmas on May 16, Gijon on May 24, and Real Valladolid on May 31. These fixtures will test not only quality but mental strength. The upcoming clash with Las Palmas stands out as particularly decisive, given the direct impact it could have on the standings.
