A club from Málaga in Andalusia. The current Málaga CF was established in 1994, with predecessor clubs dating back to the early 20th century. Qatari investment in the early 2010s briefly lifted them into Europe's upper reaches, reaching the Champions League quarter-finals in 2012-13.

When the money left, the fall was fast: relegated in 2018 and down to the third tier by 2023. Two years later they are back in the top flight — their 14th promotion to LaLiga, said to be a Spanish record.

Málaga went up through the Segunda División play-offs, beating Las Palmas 2-1 and then Almería 2-1. They missed the automatic places but won both knockout ties.

Juanfran Funes led them up, getting results from a young squad.

La Rosaleda holds 30,044 — the 18th-largest ground in Spain and the fourth-largest in Andalusia — and is under consideration for redevelopment as a 2030 World Cup venue.

Even in the third tier the crowds held up. Local support is what carried the club through.

David Larrubia (MF) and Adrián Niño (FW) drive the attack — both local products of the club's academy and central to the promotion.

Fernando Calero, a top-flight defender with Valladolid and Espanyol, brings experience to a young back line, while goalkeeper Alfonso Herrero has long been a fixture here.