🌟 La Liga Profesional de Fútbol (LPF) — From Start to Today
The Liga Profesional de Fútbol (LPF) is the top division of Argentine football, and even though it’s still young, it already plays a huge role in modern Argentine football. It was officially born on May 19, 2020, during an extraordinary AFA assembly. This moment marked a big shift in how football was organized in the country.
Before the LPF existed, Argentina had the Superliga Argentina, an independent body that managed the top flight. But problems with organization, finances, and communication eventually led the clubs and the AFA to close the Superliga and bring everything back under AFA control. That’s how the LPF came to life — as a fresh start, with clearer management and a more unified system.
⚽ Why the LPF Was Created
When the AFA took back control, its president Claudio “Chiqui” Tapia played a huge role. He was re-elected on the same day the league was created. The idea was simple:
Have one solid organization to run the first division
Improve management and stability
Modernize Argentine football
And create competitions that work even during tough times — like the pandemic
During the early days, the LPF also made a big decision: no teams would be relegated until 2022, giving clubs time to recover financially and adjust.
🏆 How the League Works
The LPF usually follows a round-robin format, meaning every team plays every other team. Over the years, the number of clubs has shifted — from 24 to 28, and now up to 30 teams in the 2025 season.
Alongside the main league, the LPF also organized a second tournament called the Copa de la Liga Profesional. The first edition in 2020 was named the Copa Diego Armando Maradona, paying tribute to the legendary star. For a few seasons, this cup gave teams extra chances to win trophies and qualify for continental competitions. The cup ended after the 2024 edition.
The LPF also uses the traditional Argentine system of promedios (points averages) and the tabla anual (annual table) to determine relegation and international spots. It’s a system fans argue about all the time — but that’s Argentina for you!
🥇 Notable Seasons & Champions
Here are some key moments from recent LPF history:
2023 – Torneo Binance 2023
Champion: River Plate (their 38th league title)
Relegated: Arsenal and Colón
2024 – Torneo Betano 2024
Champion: Vélez Sarsfield
Notable moment: A match was suspended due to fan violence and finished behind closed doors.
2025 Season (Ongoing)
Features 30 teams
Platense made history by winning the Apertura, their first-ever national league title.
Includes newly promoted sides like Aldosivi and San Martín (SJ).
📺 LPF Around the World
One big change the LPF brought is global visibility.
The league expanded its broadcasting into countries like the USA and China, airing matches in multiple languages. The AFA even launched its own platform, AFA Play, to reach more fans.
This international push is a major step in showcasing Argentine football — and its rich talent — to the world.
🔥 Challenges Along the Way
Like any major league, the LPF has faced obstacles:
Changing formats almost every season
Relegation debates due to the promedios system
Fan violence, which has caused match suspensions
Financial pressure on clubs
Still, the LPF has managed to grow stronger with every season.
🚀 The Future of the LPF
Although it’s still new, the LPF is quickly shaping the future of Argentine football. With growing international broadcasts, stronger club management, and more stable organization, it’s slowly building a lasting legacy.
Expect more format changes, more teams, and even more modernization in the coming years — because in Argentina, football never stands still.
🧑💼 Who Created the LPF?
The Liga Profesional de Fútbol (LPF) was created by the AFA (Asociación del Fútbol Argentino).
In 2020, the AFA decided to end the old Superliga and bring the top division back under its control. That’s when the LPF was born.
The two most important people behind its creation were:
⭐ Claudio “Chiqui” Tapia
He was (and still is) the President of the AFA.
He led the decision to dissolve the Superliga and replace it with the LPF.
He pushed for a new, more organized system run directly by the AFA.
⭐ Marcelo Tinelli
A well-known businessman and club president.
He became the first president of the LPF when it was created.
He helped shape the early structure and leadership of the league.
Along with them, several club leaders from big teams like Boca, River, Racing, Independiente, and others supported and approved the creation of the new league.