Revealed: Real Madrid's True La Liga Standing If VAR Had Never Existed This Season

No club in La Liga suffered more from VAR decisions than Real Madrid, according to a table illustrating how video review interventions influenced the final La Liga standings in 2025–26.

Real Madrid wrapped up a frustrating home campaign with a 4–2 victory over Athletic Club on Saturday, with Kylian Mbappé getting on the scoresheet while also clinching the Pichichi Trophy as the league's leading scorer.

The occasion also served as a farewell for both Dani Carvajal and David Alaba, who made their heartfelt final appearances for the club.

When the final whistle sounded on Saturday evening, it was confirmed that Madrid would close out the 2025–26 La Liga season on 86 points—eight behind champions Barcelona, who sealed their title earlier this month with a 2–0 Clásico triumph at Camp Nou.

Following that defeat, Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez held a press conference in which he lashed out at what he described as systematic officiating bias against Los Blancos and spoke of "stolen titles."

While Pérez's allegations may have been a calculated move to deflect attention during a turbulent spell for the club, a table published by AS suggests that Madrid would indeed have fared better this season in a world without VAR.

Real Madrid Better Off Without VAR

In the hypothetical standings, which adjusted results by removing goals that arose from VAR interventions, Madrid would have accumulated 91 points—five more than their actual tally—representing the largest points deficit caused by VAR of any club in La Liga. In contrast, Sevilla gained six additional points thanks to VAR decisions.

Nevertheless, even in a scenario without VAR, Madrid would still have finished as runners-up to Barcelona—albeit by just four points.

The pivotal interventions highlighted in AS's report include an Mbappé goal disallowed for handball during November's 1–1 draw with Girona, along with two separate rulings in February's 2–1 loss at Osasuna.

In that fixture, Osasuna's opener came via a penalty awarded following a VAR review, while Raúl García's late winner was upheld only after a check confirmed he had not been in an offside position, contrary to the linesman's initial flag.

Ultimately, the correct call was made on each occasion.

Madrid Hit Out Against State of La Liga Officiating

What AS's analysis does not factor in are the more contentious decisions that went without VAR review. Back in April, Álvaro Arbeloa voiced his frustration over refereeing standards after officials failed to award a penalty when Mbappé was left with a bloodied face following a stray elbow from Vitor Reis in the 1–1 draw with Girona.

"As far as I'm concerned, it's a penalty here and on the moon, and it's just another one," Arbeloa said. "Another week. That's how it goes. Honestly, neither I nor anyone else can make sense of it. I get the impression VAR steps in when it's convenient, and stays quiet when it isn't.

"You already know where I stand, and these incidents only reinforce it. We've had no shortage of problems with referees. Same story, different day."

Madrid have pulled out of recent meetings with the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), insisting there is "no point" in engaging in dialogue about the current state of La Liga given what they perceive as ongoing officiating injustices.

Meanwhile, speaking on May 12 during his contentious press conference, Pérez went so far as to describe La Liga as "our perennial enemy."