For the second consecutive season, the champions of La Liga surpassed 100 points, with Barcelona reclaiming the title from Real Madrid. The season was marked by turmoil for Real Madrid, as coach Jose Mourinho left amid reports of conflict in the dressing room. Meanwhile, Tito Vilanova, Barcelona's coach, battled cancer but led the team to a near-perfect season. Notably, Lionel Messi played a vital role in Barcelona's success. The previous season had seen Real Madrid win the Spanish Primera Division trophy and break the 100-point barrier for the first time, with Jose Mourinho outperforming Pep Guardiola. Vilanova took over as Barcelona's head coach and made shrewd signings, while Real Madrid strengthened their squad with the addition of Luka Modric. Additionally, several teams gained promotion to feature in the top tier for the season. Despite Guardiola's resignation, Barcelona continued their success under Vilanova, maintaining their strong squad and adding new talent. They had a dominant start to the Liga season, with their only setback being a draw against Real Madrid. Real Madrid struggled, settling into a distant second place, and faced internal friction, leading to the replacement of goalkeeper Iker Casillas with Diego Lopez. Tito Vilanova announced his departure from Barcelona in July 2013 to focus on his battle against throat cancer. Despite a Clasico defeat and another loss in the Primera Division, Barcelona maintained their lead at the top and secured the championship with 100 points, equaling Mourinho's previous winning mark. Atletico, under coach Diego Simeone, secured a Champions League berth and became a strong contender in the title race. Lionel Messi was the top goalscorer with 46 goals, while Diego Simeone was named Manager of the Season for bringing Champions League football back to Atletico. The team of the season included notable players like Messi, Ronaldo, and Falcao. The most expensive transfer was Luka Modric from Tottenham to Real Madrid for €40m. The key moment of the season was when Eric Abidal and Tito Vilanova lifted the Liga title together, showcasing their emotional journey battling cancer.
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