Overview of the club \"Leganes\"

Founded in 1928, this club from the suburbs of Madrid remained in the shadows for many decades. No high-profile transfers, no titles, no fight for a place in European tournaments. But there was something else - loyal fans, dedication to the idea and the desire to rise to the top.

And when in 2016 Leganes went to La Liga for the first time in its history, it became one of the best football stories in Spain. A club that didn't have a big budget, didn't have superstars, but had character.

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\"And although the team is now back in Segunda, it has already proven that it is capable of the incredible.\"
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History of \"Leganes\"

Like most small Spanish clubs, Leganes have spent most of their history in the lower leagues. The team first appeared on the football map in 1928, but for long decades nobody except local fans wasn't interested.

In the 90s \"Leganes\" began to make a name for themselves little by little, entering Segunda. He stayed there for almost 20 years, until in 2016 he did what nobody believed – he made his way to La Liga.

It was a breakthrough. A small club from the suburbs of Madrid, with limited finances, for the first time reached the level where Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atlético played.

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\"But the main moment in the club's recent history happened in 2018 – Leganes knocked Real out of the Spanish Cup!\"
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At the \"Santiago Bernabeu\", the team, which until recently played in the third division, beat the Madrid giants and went on.

Lasting in La Liga for four seasons, in 2020 Leganes returned to Segunda. But this is no longer the club it used to be. This is a team that knows it can return to the elite at any moment.

\n","club_identity_html":"

Leganes Stadium

The club plays at \"Butarka\", a stadium with a capacity of slightly more than 12,000 spectators. It is a small arena, but it has its own special charm.

Located in the very heart of the city, the stadium has become a real home for fans. There are no giant stands or state-of-the-art infrastructure, but there is what is more important – a real football atmosphere.

When the team played in La Liga, \"Butarque\" became a place where even grands were not easy. Here \"Barcelona\" was losing points, and \"Real\" was nervous.

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\"And even now, in Segunda, it's one of the most uncomfortable arenas for opponents.\"
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Accomplishment: When even small victories matter

Leganes has no major titles. But he has moments that will forever remain in club history:

Exit to La Liga (2016) – the first time in the highest division.
Victory over Real Madrid in the Spanish Cup (2018) – historical sensation.
Four seasons in La Liga (2016-2020) – the best period in the life of the club.
Wins against \"Barcelona\" and \"Atletico\" are proof that even small clubs can beat the big ones.

\n","current_status_and_future_html":"

Famous Leganes players

Although the club never had world stars, its members played footballers who left their mark:

Martin Braithwaite is a striker who performed so well in La Liga that he was then bought by Barcelona.
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Gabriel Pires is a midfielder who was one of the main creators of success of the team in the Primera.
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Nabil El-Jar is an experienced player who brought attacking creativity to the team.
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Dmytro Kravets – a Ukrainian who, albeit for a short time, had his role in the club.
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Kenneth Omeruo is a reliable defender who helped the team in difficult moments.
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Interesting facts about \"Leganes\"

Team \"cucumbers\" – in the city of Leganes, cucumbers are traditionally grown, so the club received the nickname \"Pepineros\" (Cucumbers).
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Earlier he was not interesting to anyone – now he has global popularity – back in the 2010s almost no one knew about him, and now he is known even outside of Spain.
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Butarque – the smallest stadium in La Liga in 2016 – when the team entered the Primera, its arena was one of the most compact in the championship.
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Sensation of the Cup 2018 – not everyone was able to knock out \"Real\" at **\"Bernabeu\", but \"Leganes\" did it.
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\"Leganes is a reminder that in football, dreams can become reality if you have faith and perseverance.\"
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It is worth noting that Leganes has become a symbol of football romance, proving that even the humblest clubs can write great stories. Can the team return to La Liga and repeat the fairy tale of 2016-2020? One thing can be said for sure — the spirit of Butarque and the character of cucumbers make Leganes a special place where every victory has a special taste and big dreams do not depend on the size of the budget. This is a club that proves that the most important thing in football is never giving up and believing in the impossible.

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Officially titled \"Campeonato de España–Copa de Su Majestad el Rey\" (Championship of Spain–His Majesty the King's Cup), it represents the highest level of cup competition in the Spanish football system. The Copa del Rey football tournament stands as a cornerstone of Spanish sporting culture, attracting millions of viewers both domestically and internationally. With its rich history and tradition of dramatic matches, the Copa del Rey statistics demonstrate its enduring appeal in the football world, often producing unexpected results and memorable encounters between teams from different tiers of Spanish football.\n\n## History\n\nThe Copa del Rey was **established in 1903**, predating La Liga (Spain's top-flight league) by 25 years. The competition was initially created to determine Spain's national football champion before the establishment of a league system. Throughout its existence, the tournament's name has reflected Spain's political landscape, being renamed the \"Copa del Presidente de la República\" during the Second Spanish Republic (1932-1936) and \"Copa del Generalísimo\" during Franco's dictatorship (1939-1976), before reverting to its current name after the restoration of the monarchy in 1976.\n\nThe Copa del Rey creation coincided with Spain's growing interest in football at the turn of the 20th century. Its development has seen numerous format changes, transitioning from a simple knockout competition among a handful of clubs to today's extensive tournament involving teams from multiple divisions. The Copa del Rey history has been graced by legendary Spanish footballers including Telmo Zarra, Alfredo Di Stéfano, László Kubala, and in more recent times, stars like Lionel Messi, Andrés Iniesta, and Sergio Ramos, all of whom have left their mark on this prestigious competition.\n\n## Competition Format\n\nThe Copa del Rey format operates as a **single-elimination knockout tournament** that brings together clubs from various levels of Spanish football, including La Liga (first division), Segunda División (second division), and lower regional leagues. Following significant reforms implemented in the 2019-20 season, the Copa del Rey rules now stipulate that most matches are decided in single-leg ties, with lower-division clubs typically hosting games against higher-tier opponents, adding to the potential for surprising upsets.\n\nOnly the semi-finals maintain a two-legged format, while the final is contested at a predetermined neutral venue, currently the Estadio de La Cartuja in Seville. The Copa del Rey tournament awards the winner not only the prestigious trophy but also qualification for the UEFA Europa League (unless already qualified through league position) and a place in the Supercopa de España alongside the Copa runner-up and the top two La Liga finishers.\n\n## Famous Teams\n\nThree clubs have dominated the Copa del Rey teams landscape throughout its history. **FC Barcelona** stands as the most successful club with 32 titles, their most recent triumph coming in 2025. The Catalan giants have particularly excelled in the competition during recent decades, cementing their status as Copa del Rey winners with remarkable consistency.\n\n**Athletic Bilbao** holds a special place in Copa del Rey clubs history with 24 titles, including their victory in the 2024 edition. The Basque side maintains a unique policy of fielding only players of Basque origin or formation, making their success in this national competition particularly noteworthy.\n\n**Real Madrid** completes the triumvirate of most successful teams with 20 titles. The historical rivalry between \"Barcelona\" and \"Real Madrid\" has produced some of the most memorable Copa del Rey finals, with these \"El Clásico\" encounters generating intense interest beyond Spain's borders.\n\nOther significant clubs in the competition's history include \"Atlético Madrid\", \"Valencia\", and \"Zaragoza\", each having secured multiple titles and contributed to the rich tapestry of Copa del Rey history.\n\n## Statistics and Records\n\nThe Copa del Rey records are largely dominated by Barcelona's achievements, with their 32 championships standing as the benchmark for success. Athletic Bilbao's 24 titles place them second in the all-time list, a remarkable achievement considering they haven't always competed in the top tier of Spanish football.\n\nIn terms of individual Copa del Rey statistics, Lionel Messi holds numerous records from his time at Barcelona, including most finals scored in and most goals in the competition by a single player in the modern era. The tournament has witnessed incredible scoring feats, dramatic comebacks, and exceptional performances that have entered Spanish football folklore.\n\nOne notable Copa del Rey players record belongs to goalkeeper José Ramón Esnaola of \"Real Betis\", who remarkably scored the equalizing goal in the 1977 final against \"Athletic Bilbao\" before his team went on to win in the penalty shootout—an extremely rare occurrence for a goalkeeper.\n\n## Current State\n\nThe Copa del Rey season typically runs alongside the league campaign, commencing in the early autumn and concluding with the final in spring. The current format involves over 120 teams from across the Spanish football pyramid, making it one of the most inclusive national cup competitions in Europe.\n\nToday, the Copa del Rey maintains its prestige as a coveted trophy in Spanish football, with clubs from La Liga dominating the latter stages but occasionally facing stern challenges from lower-division sides. The competition receives extensive media coverage throughout Spain and has growing international viewership, particularly during the later rounds when the country's football powerhouses clash.\n\nThe Copa del Rey overview in recent years shows a competition that continues to evolve while preserving its historical significance. The tournament's current format, with its emphasis on giving smaller clubs home advantage against top-tier opponents, has reinvigorated interest and created more opportunities for memorable upsets.\n\n## Interesting Facts\n\nThe Copa del Rey interesting history includes the fact that the trophy has undergone 12 different designs throughout its existence. According to competition rules, clubs can permanently keep a trophy if they win three consecutive titles or five titles in total, leading to multiple versions of the cup being created over the decades.\n\nOne of the most surprising Copa del Rey facts involves \"Real Madrid Castilla\" (Real Madrid's reserve team), which remarkably reached the final in 1980, ultimately losing to their senior team. Reserve teams were permitted to participate until the 1990-91 season.\n\nThe Copa del Rey stories of unexpected victories by underdogs have become legendary in Spanish football. Perhaps the most famous upset occurred in 2002 when \"Deportivo La Coruña\" overcame a 4-0 first-leg deficit against \"Real Madrid\" to win 5-4 on aggregate in what became known as the \"Centenariazo\" (ruining Real Madrid's centenary celebrations).\n\nAnother Copa del Rey interesting tradition is the presentation of the trophy by the Spanish monarch, underscoring the competition's royal connection and prestigious standing in Spanish sporting culture.\n\nOften compared to England's FA Cup and Italy's Coppa Italia in terms of format and prestige, the Copa del Rey continues to occupy a special place in Spanish football, offering clubs of all sizes the chance to make history and claim one of the sport's oldest and most respected trophies.","active":true,"short_code":null,"category":2,"top_position":null,"stb_internal_id":"0192fb8b-ea7b-7004-87cb-6f47508379a7","overrides":null,"has_article_relations":false,"has_social_media_relations":true,"inactive":null,"description_html":"

Copa del Rey: Spain's Prestigious Knockout Tournament

Introduction

The Copa del Rey is Spain's premier knockout football cup competition and the oldest tournament in Spanish football. Officially titled \"Campeonato de España–Copa de Su Majestad el Rey\" (Championship of Spain–His Majesty the King's Cup), it represents the highest level of cup competition in the Spanish football system. The Copa del Rey football tournament stands as a cornerstone of Spanish sporting culture, attracting millions of viewers both domestically and internationally. With its rich history and tradition of dramatic matches, the Copa del Rey statistics demonstrate its enduring appeal in the football world, often producing unexpected results and memorable encounters between teams from different tiers of Spanish football.

History

The Copa del Rey was established in 1903, predating La Liga (Spain's top-flight league) by 25 years. The competition was initially created to determine Spain's national football champion before the establishment of a league system. Throughout its existence, the tournament's name has reflected Spain's political landscape, being renamed the \"Copa del Presidente de la República\" during the Second Spanish Republic (1932-1936) and \"Copa del Generalísimo\" during Franco's dictatorship (1939-1976), before reverting to its current name after the restoration of the monarchy in 1976.

The Copa del Rey creation coincided with Spain's growing interest in football at the turn of the 20th century. Its development has seen numerous format changes, transitioning from a simple knockout competition among a handful of clubs to today's extensive tournament involving teams from multiple divisions. The Copa del Rey history has been graced by legendary Spanish footballers including Telmo Zarra, Alfredo Di Stéfano, László Kubala, and in more recent times, stars like Lionel Messi, Andrés Iniesta, and Sergio Ramos, all of whom have left their mark on this prestigious competition.

Competition Format

The Copa del Rey format operates as a single-elimination knockout tournament that brings together clubs from various levels of Spanish football, including La Liga (first division), Segunda División (second division), and lower regional leagues. Following significant reforms implemented in the 2019-20 season, the Copa del Rey rules now stipulate that most matches are decided in single-leg ties, with lower-division clubs typically hosting games against higher-tier opponents, adding to the potential for surprising upsets.

Only the semi-finals maintain a two-legged format, while the final is contested at a predetermined neutral venue, currently the Estadio de La Cartuja in Seville. The Copa del Rey tournament awards the winner not only the prestigious trophy but also qualification for the UEFA Europa League (unless already qualified through league position) and a place in the Supercopa de España alongside the Copa runner-up and the top two La Liga finishers.

Famous Teams

Three clubs have dominated the Copa del Rey teams landscape throughout its history. FC Barcelona stands as the most successful club with 32 titles, their most recent triumph coming in 2025. The Catalan giants have particularly excelled in the competition during recent decades, cementing their status as Copa del Rey winners with remarkable consistency.

Athletic Bilbao holds a special place in Copa del Rey clubs history with 24 titles, including their victory in the 2024 edition. The Basque side maintains a unique policy of fielding only players of Basque origin or formation, making their success in this national competition particularly noteworthy.

Real Madrid completes the triumvirate of most successful teams with 20 titles. The historical rivalry between \"Barcelona\" and \"Real Madrid\" has produced some of the most memorable Copa del Rey finals, with these \"El Clásico\" encounters generating intense interest beyond Spain's borders.

Other significant clubs in the competition's history include \"Atlético Madrid\", \"Valencia\", and \"Zaragoza\", each having secured multiple titles and contributed to the rich tapestry of Copa del Rey history.

Statistics and Records

The Copa del Rey records are largely dominated by Barcelona's achievements, with their 32 championships standing as the benchmark for success. Athletic Bilbao's 24 titles place them second in the all-time list, a remarkable achievement considering they haven't always competed in the top tier of Spanish football.

In terms of individual Copa del Rey statistics, Lionel Messi holds numerous records from his time at Barcelona, including most finals scored in and most goals in the competition by a single player in the modern era. The tournament has witnessed incredible scoring feats, dramatic comebacks, and exceptional performances that have entered Spanish football folklore.

One notable Copa del Rey players record belongs to goalkeeper José Ramón Esnaola of \"Real Betis\", who remarkably scored the equalizing goal in the 1977 final against \"Athletic Bilbao\" before his team went on to win in the penalty shootout—an extremely rare occurrence for a goalkeeper.

Current State

The Copa del Rey season typically runs alongside the league campaign, commencing in the early autumn and concluding with the final in spring. The current format involves over 120 teams from across the Spanish football pyramid, making it one of the most inclusive national cup competitions in Europe.

Today, the Copa del Rey maintains its prestige as a coveted trophy in Spanish football, with clubs from La Liga dominating the latter stages but occasionally facing stern challenges from lower-division sides. The competition receives extensive media coverage throughout Spain and has growing international viewership, particularly during the later rounds when the country's football powerhouses clash.

The Copa del Rey overview in recent years shows a competition that continues to evolve while preserving its historical significance. The tournament's current format, with its emphasis on giving smaller clubs home advantage against top-tier opponents, has reinvigorated interest and created more opportunities for memorable upsets.

Interesting Facts

The Copa del Rey interesting history includes the fact that the trophy has undergone 12 different designs throughout its existence. According to competition rules, clubs can permanently keep a trophy if they win three consecutive titles or five titles in total, leading to multiple versions of the cup being created over the decades.

One of the most surprising Copa del Rey facts involves \"Real Madrid Castilla\" (Real Madrid's reserve team), which remarkably reached the final in 1980, ultimately losing to their senior team. Reserve teams were permitted to participate until the 1990-91 season.

The Copa del Rey stories of unexpected victories by underdogs have become legendary in Spanish football. Perhaps the most famous upset occurred in 2002 when \"Deportivo La Coruña\" overcame a 4-0 first-leg deficit against \"Real Madrid\" to win 5-4 on aggregate in what became known as the \"Centenariazo\" (ruining Real Madrid's centenary celebrations).

Another Copa del Rey interesting tradition is the presentation of the trophy by the Spanish monarch, underscoring the competition's royal connection and prestigious standing in Spanish sporting culture.

Often compared to England's FA Cup and Italy's Coppa Italia in terms of format and prestige, the Copa del Rey continues to occupy a special place in Spanish football, offering clubs of all sizes the chance to make history and claim one of the sport's oldest and most respected trophies.

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Iker Bachiller: Profile