When do the major European leagues start and what are the big stories?

The 2024-2025 European football season is already underway, with excitement building for the upcoming matches across the major leagues. La Liga kicks off this weekend with Alaves facing off against Getafe, followed by Ligue 1, Serie A and the Bundesliga in the coming weeks. BBC Sport has compiled a list of notable storylines to watch in the upcoming season.

In La Liga, Jose Mourinho returns to Real Madrid after 13 years, marking a reunion that nobody saw coming. Mourinho's impact on the team will be crucial as the 2024 signing of Kylian Mbappe has not translated into a fully cohesive squad. Real Madrid's defensive unit has been vulnerable in the past, but new signings such as Marc Cucurella, Ibrahima Konate, Denzel Dumfries, and Bernardo Silva could help shore up the back line.

Meanwhile, Vinicius Junior's recent new deal has added to the excitement, and there are questions about the team's ability to genuinely challenge Barcelona, especially with Mourinho's previous tenure marked by dressing room discord.

In the Bundesliga, Bayern Munich, led by Harry Kane, are favorites to win their sixth consecutive league title. Kane has proven his age is no barrier to success, scoring 98 goals in 94 Bundesliga appearances. The addition of Ismael Saibari and Anthony Gordon adds to Bayern's attacking prowess, while Manuel Neuer's experienced presence in goal provides stability.

Borussia Dortmund, RB Leipzig and Bayer Leverkusen are also capable title contenders, but their performances often fall short against tougher opponents. Schalke 04's return to the Bundesliga after three years away adds a new chapter to one of Germany's most heated derbies, the Revier Derby. The club's promotion means the smallest town to ever play in the Bundesliga, Spiesen-Elversberg, will now represent the top tier of German football.