Who Has Defeated Barcelona the Most in La Liga?

Athletic Club Holds Record for Most La Liga Wins Over FC Barcelona

Bilbao, Spain – Athletic Club has defeated FC Barcelona more times than any other team in La Liga history, recording 95 league victories across 187 encounters. This longstanding head-to-head edge places the Basque side atop an exclusive list of clubs that have consistently troubled one of Spain’s most dominant teams.

A Legacy of Competition

Since La Liga’s inception in 1929, FC Barcelona and Athletic Club have shared a unique relationship: both clubs have participated in every season of the Spanish top flight without facing relegation. In that time, their rivalry has grown into one of the league’s most historic and frequently contested matchups.

As of mid-2025, Athletic Club has claimed 95 victories against Barcelona in La Liga, with the Catalan side winning 60 times. The remaining 32 matches have ended in draws. The frequency and competitiveness of these encounters reflect both clubs’ stature in Spanish football, though Athletic’s historical advantage in wins stands out.

Barcelona’s dominance in the modern era has reduced the margin in recent decades, but the historical total remains in Athletic’s favor, largely due to strong performances in the mid-20th century, when they routinely challenged the Catalan giants at home and away.

Barcelona vs. La Liga’s Other Giants

While Athletic leads in total wins over Barcelona in league play, other major clubs have also shaped Barça’s historical record, though none have surpassed the Basque club in this specific metric.

Real Madrid, Barcelona’s most iconic rival, has won 79 La Liga matches out of 189 played against the Blaugrana. Barcelona has claimed 75 victories in those contests, with 35 ending in draws. The near-equal tally reflects a rivalry that has long defined the Spanish football narrative. While Madrid edges the head-to-head record in league play, the margin remains slim, a testament to the fierce balance of power in El Clásico.

Atlético Madrid, meanwhile, has played Barcelona 176 times in La Liga, winning 53 of those encounters. Barcelona leads the rivalry decisively with 81 victories and 42 draws. Despite occasional bursts of success — particularly in the early 2010s under Diego Simeone – Atlético has struggled to gain consistent ground against the Catalan club in league competition.

Key Rivalry Statistics

These statistics help clarify the distinction between rivalry intensity and overall success. Real Madrid may be Barcelona’s fiercest opponent on and off the pitch, but Athletic Club’s consistent ability to claim points – particularly in earlier decades – gives it the numerical edge in this particular category.

Notable Streaks and Matches

Athletic Club’s dominance was most evident during La Liga’s early years. In the pre-World War II era, the Basque side won multiple consecutive matches against Barcelona, taking advantage of strong local talent and tactical consistency.

In more recent decades, however, Barcelona has reversed the trend. From 2000 to 2020, the Catalan side often dominated the fixture, recording double-digit win streaks at home and away. Still, Athletic has pulled off notable upsets, including surprise home victories and Copa del Rey challenges that disrupted Barcelona’s domestic campaigns.

Against Real Madrid, Barcelona has had similar periods of dominance – particularly under Pep Guardiola and Luis Enrique – though Madrid has maintained a slight lead in total wins. The margins between these two clubs have shifted with coaching cycles and player generations, but the fixture remains evenly matched overall.

Atlético Madrid’s occasional successes – including a rare win at Barcelona’s ground in late 2024 – highlight their growing relevance, though they remain behind both Madrid and Bilbao in terms of overall head-to-head victories.

The Broader Significance

The fact that Athletic Club – a team that has long prioritized local talent and avoided foreign transfers – has recorded more wins over Barcelona than any other La Liga club is a testament to the depth and unpredictability of Spanish football history.

While Barcelona remains one of the most successful clubs in league history – with more than 75 La Liga titles and top-two finishes – it has faced persistent resistance from clubs with deep-rooted traditions and regional pride.

Athletic’s lead in this statistic underscores the enduring competitiveness of La Liga beyond the high-profile clashes between Barcelona and Real Madrid. It reminds observers that historic rivalries in Spanish football often stretch beyond the global spotlight.

Conclusion

As of the 2024–25 La Liga season, Athletic Club stands as the team with the most league victories over FC Barcelona, with 95 wins in 187 meetings. Real Madrid follows with 79 wins in 189 encounters, while Atlético Madrid has beaten Barcelona 53 times in 176 league matches.

This statistic highlights Athletic’s unique position in Spanish football – a club with consistent top-flight status, a distinct philosophy, and a long-standing history of challenging even the most decorated opponents.

It also offers a broader reflection on the diverse competitive landscape of La Liga, where tradition, form, and regional pride continue to shape the contours of football rivalry in Spain.