At noon, in a restaurant in central Madrid, a waiter stood up and scolded three hungry Israelis: "Siesta".
He pointed to the clock and the trio left, because with Spanish culture there is no arguing.
Now, the 2021/2022 season of La Liga is upon us, with no superstars, it seems to be on its way to a full season of lunch break.
At least with the weakening of Barcelona and Real Madrid, the Spanish league becomes extremely open.
Atletico Madrid are of course able to defend their title as champions, but alongside them, second-tier teams also believe that something big can be done at the end of the 38th round.
It takes 18 seasons to get back to the last champions who did not leave Barcelona or Madrid, Valencia, which is not among the six squinting for the championship plate this season.
Barcelona players.
Without Messi, Photo: AFP,
Who does?
At the top of Barça and Real of course, that although they come battered, their dignity is in place.
Next to them stands Atletico, who seem to be the most stable of all, thanks to retaining most of the squad and its true star, coach Diego Simeone;
Sevilla, who are confident that this is a season of "Now or Never", and that she is capable of doing what she has done only once in history (in 1946);
Real Sociedad, with a team of players who have run together for a long time and can surprise with a first championship after exactly 40 years;
And last but not least is Villarreal.
After proving herself against strong enough teams on her way to winning the Europa League last season, this season she is dreaming of a historic title even within Spain.
Now all that remains is to hope that the candidates will wake up La Liga from the expected "siesta".
Gareth Bale in the warm-up game against AC Milan.
Real able to go until the end of the season?
Photo: AFP,