Real Valladolid have been relegated from Spain’s top flight following a crushing 5-1 defeat to Real Betis, which confirmed their demotion to the Segunda División with five matches remaining in the season.

Valladolid, currently bottom of the table, had only returned to La Liga last year. They have amassed just 16 points from 33 games, recording only four victories throughout the campaign—just one of which has come since early January.

This marks the third relegation for the club since Brazilian football legend Ronaldo became the majority owner in 2018. Reports suggest the former striker may now be preparing to sell his stake in the club.

“It’s a very difficult day. The dressing room is devastated. We are where we are because that’s what we’ve earned,” said head coach Álvaro Rubio in a post-match interview with DAZN on Thursday.

“We haven’t been up to the standard required at this level. We will lift ourselves and carry on.

“A lot of things hurt me—especially seeing how hard the players have worked. These are matches you lose by a wide margin, but the effort they put in didn’t deserve this outcome.”

The heavy defeat capped a turbulent season for Valladolid, during which the club sacked two managers—Diego Cocca and Paulo Pezzolano—before appointing former player Rubio in February.

Two more relegation places are yet to be determined, with Leganés currently in 19th on 30 points, just two behind Las Palmas in 18th position.

Meanwhile, Barcelona remain top of the league standings, four points ahead of Real Madrid and 10 clear of Atlético Madrid.