2008–09 La Liga
| Season | 2008–09 |
|---|---|
| Dates | 30 August 2008 – 31 May 2009 |
| Champions | Barcelona 19th title |
| Relegated | Real Betis Numancia Recreativo Huelva |
| Champions League | Barcelona Real Madrid Sevilla Atlético Madrid |
| Europa League | Villarreal Valencia Athletic Bilbao (as Copa del Rey runners-up) |
| 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 Gijón (24 September 2008) Barcelona 6–0 Valladolid (8 November 2008) Barcelona 6–0 Málaga (22 March 2009) |
| Biggest away win | Sporting Gijón 1–6 Barcelona (21 September 2008) |
| Highest scoring | Real Madrid 7–1 Sporting Gijón (24 September 2008) Real Madrid 2–6 Barcelona (2 May 2009) Deportivo La Coruña 5–3 Racing Santander (8 March 2009) Villarreal 4–4 Atlético Madrid (26 October 2008) |
← 2007–08 2009–10 → | |
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 concluded 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.
On 16 May 2009, following Villarreal's 3–2 victory over Real Madrid, Barcelona were declared champions, winning their 19th La Liga title, with three matches to play. Barcelona's Lionel Messi received the inaugural La Liga Award for Best Player from the Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional.