The Rest Is Football – La Liga Episode Summary

Podcast: The Rest Is Football
Hosts: Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer (brief mentions), Alex Aljo
Date: January 20, 2026
Episode Title: Vinicius, Bellingham and Valverde booed at the Bernabeu & Barca suffer defeat

Episode Overview

This La Liga-focused episode dissects a turbulent week in Spanish football. Real Madrid, reeling from a humiliating Copa del Rey exit and the sacking of Xabi Alonso, return to league action under new manager Álvaro Arbeloa but are met with fierce disapproval from their own supporters—even after a victory. Meanwhile, Barcelona's impressive winning run ends with a controversial defeat at Real Sociedad, throwing the title race wide open. The hosts break down the week's drama, analyze standout performances (and shocks), and offer their trademark blend of insight, banter, and anecdote.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. AFCON Final Chaos

• [01:55–06:44]
  Gary Lineker recounts his surreal experience attending the AFCON final, describing it as "bonkers" and narrating a cascade of VAR controversy, a stadium in confusion, a lengthy stoppage, and Sadio Mané's captaincy heroics.
  • Lineker: “It just went from being a fair, mundane game to one of the most bonkers 20, 25 minutes I’ve ever seen.” (03:09)
  • Praises Mané: “He was a true captain, a true leader. He did the right thing because whatever you think about the decision, you can’t walk off.” (04:13)
  • Reflections on penalty psychology, pressure, and sporting integrity, including fun anecdotes about missed Panenkas.

2. Real Madrid: Victory, But Fan Revolt

• [06:45–14:02]
  • Arbeloa’s first league game sees a subdued 2-0 win over Levante, but the story is the fans:
  • Vinicius Jr., Jude Bellingham, and Fede Valverde booed throughout the match, accused (in the media) of undermining Xabi Alonso.
  • Atmosphere described as unprecedentedly hostile—“white handkerchiefs, boos, whistles…from start to finish.” (09:23)
  • Some players (Raul Asensio, Thibaut Courtois) applauded, further highlighting divisions.
  • Media rumors about Bellingham’s nightlife are addressed and dismissed by the hosts as “nonsense”—Lineker voices hope Bellingham hasn’t lost focus (12:28).

Notable Quotes:

• “They were booing one or two, and most notably Vinicius Jr., also Jude Bellingham as well.” — Gary Lineker (09:08)
• “They have said they’ve never known the Bernabeu like it. Unprecedented.” — Alex Aljo (09:23)
• “Arbeloa came out in his presser and said people were booing that didn’t like Real Madrid...I’m not sure I agree with that.” — Alex Aljo (10:47)
• “Players do care. They want to succeed. Vinicius has had a really, really tough spell...you need a little bit of support, but you could see he cares.” — Lineker (14:08)

Emotional Impact:

• Vinicius reportedly in tears in the tunnel post-match, illustrating the personal toll of supporter criticism.

3. Barcelona’s Disallowed Goals & Defeat

• [15:06–19:29]

  • Nine-match league winning streak snapped by a 2-1 loss at Real Sociedad.

  • Multiple disallowed goals, an overturned penalty, and heroics from Sociedad’s keeper Álex Remiro.

  • Key absence: Rafinha missing, correlated with all of Barca’s league defeats this season.

  • Marcus Rashford scores from the bench; Rafinha expected back soon.

  • Frustration at officiating—Frankie De Jong’s post-match comments:

    “The only thing I can say is that you can’t talk to this referee…He looks at me with a face like, ‘I’m better than you.’ It’s frustrating. He can’t behave like that.” — Frankie De Jong (19:30)

  • Hosts note: Barca played well but lost; Real Madrid played poorly but won—“that’s football.”

Notable Quotes:

• “It was a weird game. There were so many goals disallowed by VAR.” — Lineker (17:45)
• “Just one of those days…they played really well and didn’t win. Real Madrid didn’t play well and won.” — Alex Aljo (19:12)

4. Real Betis & Atletico Madrid: Top Four Jostling

• [22:29–24:44]
  • Betis beat Villarreal 2–0, with Pablo Fornals scoring against his former club.
  • Importance of Betis’ win: first time this season they’ve taken points from a current top-four side (23:17).
  • Atletico’s pragmatic win, thanks to a rare-headed goal from “the biggest striker that’s hopeless with his head"—a nod to listeners’ running jokes.
  • Discussion of Julian Alvarez’s recent struggles, and striker psychology—Lineker shares his own superstitious habits to break scoring droughts (haircuts, sock order).

Notable Quotes:

• “If you stop worrying about it, that’s the worst thing you could do. You just keep going, making the right runs, and eventually your luck changes.” — Lineker (25:19)
• [On superstitions] “I’d have a haircut…even though it’s complete nonsense.” — Lineker (26:29)

5. Quickfire Weekend Roundup

• [27:56–29:25]
  • Valencia beat Getafe 1-0 (late goal, relegation struggle).
  • Girona win at Espanyol: Vladislav Vanat’s penalty brace.
  • Mallorca 3–2 Athletic Club: Hattrick for Vedat Muriqi.
  • Osasuna 3–2 Real Oviedo; Celta Vigo 3–0 Rayo: Relegation, promotion, and European qualification subplots.
  • Sevilla snatch late draw at Elche: Points shared after Elche led 2-0.

Memorable Moments & Banter

• Mané’s leadership lauded after AFCON chaos (04:13–04:50).
• Lineker recalls feeling like “a complete plonker” after missing a Panenka—self-deprecating story (05:14).
• Alex and Gary riff on player nightlife and media scrutiny, referencing their own playing days (“In Barcelona…we went to nightclubs, and nobody really bothered you…” 12:43).
• Jovial discussion on superstitions—haircuts, socks, and how to shake a striker’s bad run (26:29–27:11).
• Light moment as Alex and Gary mimic Frankie De Jong’s “I’m better than you” referee face (19:59).

Important Timestamps

• AFCON final stories: 01:55–06:44
• Real Madrid: Bernabeu boos, managerial drama: 06:45–14:15
• Barcelona–Sociedad match, refereeing complaints: 15:06–19:30
• Betis/Atletico/striking slumps & superstition: 22:29–27:24
• Remainder of La Liga weekend: 27:56–29:25

Conclusion

A week where fan emotions spill over in Madrid, VAR and referees drive Barcelona to distraction, and the La Liga title race suddenly tightens. Real Madrid’s troubles aren’t over despite the scoreboard, and Barcelona are forced to rue chances missed and decisions gone against them. Elsewhere, Betis and Atletico make moves, and the league’s drama shows no signs of waning. The episode combines keen match analysis with lived experiences—and plenty of laughter—making it as entertaining as it is insightful.

For more banter, deep dives, and stories from inside the game, tune into The Rest is Football’s next episode!