Real Madrid won La Liga only three months ago because of their defensive steel and a relentless will to win but ahead of Saturday's Clasico against Barcelona, they appear to be a team unravelling.

Ansu Fati has suffered a blow in his preparations for the new La Liga season after the forward injured his hip on Friday, Barcelona announced.

La Liga begins on Saturday without its top teams and still without fans but with hope that an unusual summer could lead to a season of surprises.

Jorge Messi, the father and agent of Lionel Messi, published a response to La Liga on Friday, insisting the Barcelona striker's 700-million-euro release clause no longer applies.

A frustrated Lionel Messi called for change after Barcelona handed the La Liga title to Real Madrid on Thursday, warning the team will lose in the Champions League as well if they fail to improve.

Real Madrid took a big step towards winning La Liga on Thursday by battling past Getafe to move four points clear of Barcelona, with five games left.

Eden Hazard and Luis Suarez were both circled as potential deciders of La Liga's title race when the season resumed but few looked at Karim Benzema.

Real Madrid and Barcelona are neck-and-neck in the closest title race in Europe as La Liga's top two have enjoyed an almost faultless return since Spanish football resumed two weeks ago.

Sergio Ramos' sensational free-kick helped Real Madrid move back above Barcelona to the top of La Liga as they defeated Real Mallorca 2-0 on Wednesday.

Real Madrid and Barcelona will have tougher tests to come but emphatic victories on their return to action at the weekend suggest there may not be much margin for error in what is left of La Liga's title race.

When La Liga stopped they were not expected to play any part in the rest of the title race but when the season resumes on Thursday, Eden Hazard and Luis Suarez could be set to decide it.

La Liga president Javier Tebas said Spanish football's return will allow people to feel a sense of normality again but it may also serve as a reminder of an uncomfortable new reality.