Marc-Andre ter Stegen makes history with simultaneous league title and relegation

On May 23, 2026, Girona was relegated to the Spanish second division following a 1-1 draw against Elche in the final round of La Liga. The squad included 34-year-old goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen, who had been on loan from Barcelona since early 2026. Ter Stegen made only two appearances for Girona during his loan spell due to an injury that also caused him to miss the World Cup. As he officially remained a member of the Barcelona roster during the 2025-2026 season, he is recognized as a league champion despite his team's relegation. This achievement marks the first time in Spanish football history that a player has won the championship and been relegated in the same season. While some reports emphasize the paradox of his situation, the factual outcome remains that his loan contract resulted in this unique statistical occurrence.