The Illes Balears Palma Futsal closes a historic year, marked by international titles, records, recognitions and the consolidation of a unique project.
There are years that pass. And there are years that stay.
2025 belongs to that second group. It will be impossible to talk about Illes Balears Palma Futsal without dwelling on it. Victories, learnings, impossible nights and a team that, when it seemed to have hit its ceiling, looked up again.
The year started without concessions. January came with qualification for the quarterfinals of the Copa del Rey in Santa Coloma and with a recognition that no longer sounded like a surprise, but rather confirmation. Futsalplanet ranked Palma Futsal as the best club in the world, distinguished Antonio Vadillo as the best coach and Luan Muller as the best goalkeeper. Three awards that summed up a reality: the project was at its best. All this while the team closed an outstanding first round of the league, third, tied with second, surviving a calendar that was as demanding as it was exciting.
February was Zaragoza and it was victory. It was the ticket to the Final Four of the Copa del Rey. And March arrived with the pulse racing. The Spanish Cup was arriving. And what a Cup. In the quarterfinals, against the host ElPozo Murcia, a goal by Rivillos in the 39th minute lit up something more than just a scoreboard: it activated the feeling that that team was prepared to break barriers.
Movistar Inter was waiting in the semifinals. And again to penalties. For years they had been a mental border, uncomfortable territory. But Palma Futsal had already learned to live with them. This time neither the past nor the memories mattered. For the first time in its history, the team would compete in the only final of a national title that it had resisted.
It was not the day against Servigroup Peñíscola. The Mallorcan team did not find its best version. But that defeat was not a final point. It was a lesson.
Meanwhile, Son Moix continued writing his own story. The 5-2 win against Jaén Paraíso Interior marked the 50th full house since arriving at the pavilion. A figure that speaks of something deeper: futsal had changed its place in Mallorca. What seemed like a pipe dream fifteen years ago—filling a pavilion with more than 4,000 people—had become routine. Palma Futsal not only won games: it had transformed the relationship of some islands with its futsal.
April brought qualification for the playoffs and a momentary lead. And also one of the hardest blows of the year. Piqueras fell seriously injured. Rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament. Goodbye to the most beautiful stretch of the season. Once again, it was time to get back together. Again, do it together.
And then Europe arrived. Le Mans. The third attempt. A Champions League can seem like a miracle. Two, a wonderful anomaly. Three? Nobody had achieved it. And the road gave no respite: Sporting de Portugal was waiting in the semifinals. Everything seemed against. But there are teams that, when the European anthem plays, transform. The 0-3 against the Portuguese was a declaration of intentions. Palma Futsal was prepared to challenge history.
May 4, 2025 no longer belongs on the calendar. It belongs to memory. Against Kairat Almaty, two-time European champions, the team had a perfect performance. A 9-4 that still gives goosebumps when remembering it. Party, disbelief, celebration. A club born in Manacor 27 years ago became the first team to win three consecutive UEFA Futsal Champions Leagues. There it is. Forever.
On his return, Piqueras was successfully operated on. A long, silent, patient recovery began, which today is finally entering its final stretch. And as if the year still held more certainties, in mid-May another news arrived that underpinned the future: Antonio Vadillo renewed until 2028. The leader of the project was still at the helm.
The regular league ended with Palma Futsal in second position and with Son Moix becoming a strength: 13 wins and 2 draws in 15 games. The playoffs have arrived. Hunger intact. Osasuna Magna fell in the quarterfinals. Barça was waiting in the semi-finals. Victory at home, narrow defeat at the Palau and a third game that broke the magic of the pavilion. The ending left the feeling that something was still pending. That it had ended too soon.
Summer brought, as always, changes, goodbyes and new beginnings. Gordillo and Neguinho said goodbye. Lucão arrived as the first blow of effect. July confirmed something symbolic: Palma Futsal would start the Champions League as the team with the highest coefficient in the history of the competition. Dennis arrived, the renewal of Luan Muller, the continuity of Ernesto and Fabinho, the return of Alisson, the experience of Lin. The project did not stop.
The start of the new course was demanding. Adjustments, draws, learning. October forced us to live without a fixed home. They are Rapinya, Toni Pizá, Galatzó… every day a different pavilion, every training session a new scenario. A team that had to begin to shore up itself by changing houses daily, building automation and confidence away from the comfort of a stable refuge. In that transit there came defeats and points that escaped along the way, necessary warnings to recalibrate the course before what was to come.
The reaction came at the most demanding moment. In the middle of the Main Round of the UEFA Futsal Champions League, Son Moix became the scene of a major test. Etoile Lavalloise, FC Semey and FK Chrudim made up a very tough group, one of those that allows no margin for error. Three games, three finals. And the Illes Balears Palma Futsal responded as the big teams do: full of victories, classification as leaders and the historical record of undefeated games in the UEFA Champions League, adding futsal and soccer, even surpassing Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City.
Then came the Intercontinental Cup. At home. In Son Moix. The perfect setting for another unforgettable chapter. 4-2 victory against Peñarol, the club’s sixth title and three-time world championship. Palma Futsal raised a new trophy in front of its people.
December gave no respite. Europe, Copa del Rey, League. Qualification for the Spanish Cup was sealed against Ribera Navarra. Twelfth consecutive. And as a finishing touch, the trip to Brazil. The Mundo do Futsal gala gave proper names to everything experienced: the Illes Balears Palma Futsal was elected Best Club in the World; José Tirado, Best General Manager; Antonio Vadillo, Best Coach; and Luan Muller, Best Goalkeeper in the World. Four awards that not only recognize what is seen, but also everything behind it.
2025 says goodbye with the Illes Balears Palma Futsal qualified for the Spanish Cup, among the eight best in Europe and with the feeling that the road is not over.
An extraordinary year. A consolidated project. And a 2026 that awaits, demanding and promising, with the same ambition as always.
