Real Madrid unbeaten in league openers for nearly two decades

The Santiago Bernabeu will host Real Madrid for their LaLiga opener for the first time since 2018, adding extra significance to the start of the 2025-26 season. The 'Merengues' had begun their campaigns away from home for the past six years. Against Elche, Xabi Alonso aims to secure a strong start and, crucially, extend a positive run for 'Los Blancos' that stretches back to the 2008-09 season.
Real Madrid mark 17 years without defeat in their LaLiga opener. Their last loss came on August 31, 2008, at Riazor, marking the beginning of Bernd Schuster's second season. That day, Miguel Angel Lotina's Deportivo took the lead through Mista in the first half. Van Nistelrooy equalised after the break, but Alberto Lopo sealed a 2-1 victory shortly after, converting an Andres Guardado cross.

The 'Los Blancos' opening day record in the 21st century is almost unblemished. To find another defeat, one must go back exactly to the start of the millennium, at the beginning of the 2001-02 season. Mista was also present, though he didn't feature in Del Bosque's Real Madrid's loss to Rafa Benitez's Valencia at Mestalla. Miguel Angel Angulo proved decisive on the day of Zinedine Zidane's debut, amidst a fervent atmosphere. Luis Figo was sent off in the dying minutes.
Beyond these two setbacks, Real Madrid have registered 16 wins and 6 draws in their 21st-century openers. Their most recent draws include a 1-1 against Mallorca at Son Moix last year, and a goalless draw against Real Sociedad in 2020-21, under Zidane.