It’s been twenty-one years since RCD Mallorca lifted its one and only Copa del Rey trophy. In 2003 the Balearic club defeated Recreativo de Huelva on the back of two goals from future FC Barcelona and Inter Milan star Samuel Eto’o. Over twenty years later, the Mallorcans have the chance to get their hands on a second Spanish Cup, but to do so, they will have to overcome Copa del Rey royalty in the form of Athletic Club Bilbao.
The Lions of Bilbao have been to the Copa del Rey final a whopping 39 times, and have won the competition 23 times, three more than Real Madrid and second only to FC Barcelona (31 times). This will be the Basque club’s third appearance in the final in the last five years, although Athletic has not actually won the competition since 1983. Still, the lions enter the game as favorites according to the bookies, no surprise given Ernesto Valverde’s men sit fifth in LALIGA, two points outside of the Champions League position and ten places and twenty-five points ahead of RCD Mallorca.
Meanwhile, in the period since their last triumph, RCD Mallorca was relegated down to the third division, then achieved consecutive promotions, only to return to the second division a year later. The Mallorcans finally regained LALIGA status in 2021 and have been on a steady trajectory since. However, it is not unfair to say that few pundits and fans expected to see the island side in the final of the Copa del Rey.
The challenge for the pirates of Mallorca should not be understated. Six years ago the club was in the third division and could only think of fighting its way back up the Spanish soccer pyramid. Now it is in the final having eliminated stylish Real Sociedad, and high-flying Girona along the way. From a squad perspective, Mallorca is outmatched, facing the prospect of the Williams brothers running at their back line with Oihan Sancet, Ander Herrera and Alejandro Berenguer feeding passes through to them. But the Balearic club’s appearance in this final is a testament to the mental fortitude and culture of effort that has been instilled in the squad since relegation to the third tier of Spanish soccer.
Unable to recruit star players, RCD Mallorca relies on a collective spirit and toughness that makes it very hard to play against. Having beaten Girona, the Pirates also ran heavyweights FC Barcelona and Real Madrid very close this season. According to Alfonso Diaz, RCD Mallorca’s CEO of Business, having reestablished itself in the first division the goal of the club is to stabilize itself in the top 10 of LALIGA, whilst remaining financially sustainable. In fact, he readily admits that “our goal was not to be here in the final, but that has been the success of all of our effort.”
Much of the credit for the newfound stability at the club has to go to the North American consortium that took over the club in 2016. Andy Kohlberg, Steve Nash and co. bought the club at its nadir, and brought with them knowledge from their days as professional athletes, immediately making changes that would solidify the club’s long-term future. Diaz admits that their experience and approach “is different compared to other ownerships,” but says that their “knowledge of North American sport and that experience helps us to have better access to their know-how.” Moreover, Diaz says “it’s very important to adapt good ideas from the U.S. to our Spanish culture.”
Over the past eight years Diaz says the club has built “a culture of effort, hard work, overcoming difficulties and going beyond possibilities.” This is something reflected in their squad, which on paper may be no match for Athletic Club, but is committed to the cause and will make the game incredibly difficult for their Basque opponents. Diaz credits this new mentality for the positive results the club has had over the past couple of seasons. But he is keeping his feet on the ground. The Mallorca CEO of Business is adamant that the club is focused on remaining in LALIGA next season, and says the club aims to get into European competitions from time to time.
The central pillar of the club’s overhaul in recent years has been the redevelopment of its stadium, the Estadi Mallorca Son Moix. Inaugurated in 1999, the stadium was originally a mixed-use venue built for the Summer Universidade multi-sport competition between international universities. It had a running track around the field and had a wide bowl-shaped structure that was not conducive to optimal soccer viewing. In recent years the ownership group has utilized LALIGA Impulso funds to renovate the stadium, making it into a state-of-the-art venue with a capacity of over 23,000 fans that is fit for a club that competes in Europe.
From a business perspective, Diaz says “winning the cup means a great brand awareness and for us to enter a European competition, which means going to another level and status in European football.” For fans, it would simply bring a joy that has not been felt in twenty years, and one that is perhaps more commonly found on the island’s famous beaches and nightclubs rather than on its soccer fields.
While the Balearic club’s hierarchy is looking at its long-term future, winning this weekend’s Copa del Rey final might be the spark the club needs to take the next step and make a name for itself on the national and later continental stage. Diaz says that RCD Mallorca wants to “make football fans aware of our club and have an innovative and disruptive mentality, in line with the local culture.” What better way to do so than by winning a trophy, and moving from stability to success?
Of course these plans could be scuppered by one of Spain’s most competitive and historic clubs. The Lions of Bilbao will give no quarter to the Mallorcans, as they battle for their first cup win in a generation.
This season’s Copa del Rey final is exactly what makes cup competitions magical. It pits a club that has never been relegated from Spain’s first division against a yo-yo club that has seen the depths of the third division. It brings together a club that is recognized for winning the cup, and a club that has actually won it more recently. But most interestingly it gives the opportunity to two clubs much in need of silverware to give their fans something to celebrate. On Saturday fans will find out which club can shoulder the weight of history better and bring home the coveted King’s Cup.