March 7, 2024 marked the end of one of the most iconic pairs of professional padel: Juan Lebrón et Alejandro Galán, world number 1 for three consecutive seasons. 400 days later, as the Qatar Major 2025, their separation continues to be talked about, between still burning memories, persistent tensions... and indirect confrontations.

Looking back at the explosion at Doha 2024

Everything had changed Doha , during the Qatar Major 2024. In the round of XNUMX, Galán and Lebrón faced Mike Yanguas and Javi Garrido. The match, tense from the first exchanges, quickly degenerated: insults, provocations, until a ball launched in the direction of Yanguas.… Garrido and Yanguas left the Media Center under escort, while Lebrón, beside himself, verbally attacked his opponents. Two days later, the duo's separation was made official.

An unprecedented media shockwave

Padel has never received such massive media coverage. The separation made headlines on specialist websites, as well as on mainstream media in Spain and Latin America. Isaias Blaiotta, a journalist from VeinteDiez, "this breakup changed the balance of the circuit and generated media coverage worthy of a World Cup final." All this in Doha, the symbolic place where the relationship imploded.

Tensions Reignited in Miami

In 2025, the situation seemed to have calmed down… until Miami P1. For the first time since their breakup, Lebrón and Galán found themselves face to face in a high-level final. From the warm-up, the icy stares and tense attitude left no doubt: the rivalry is fiercer than ever.

During the match, several exchanges of words between the two former partners were captured by the cameras. Galán and Federico Chingotto won, but the outcome seemed almost secondary as the psychological tension between the two Spaniards dominated the atmosphere.

A duel that will not take place in Doha 2025

While the circuit Premier Padel returns to Doha for his first Major of the season, The expected rematch between Lebrón and Galán will not take place. The injury of Franco Stupaczuk forced his teammate Lebrón to withdraw, depriving the public of a new episode of this explosive rivalry.

A legendary duo, a painful breakup

Between 2020 and 2023, Lebrón and Galán dominated world padel, with 32 titles wonBut behind the scenes, the relationship had become fragile. Galán claimed in 2024 that their separation "wasn't a sporting decision." Lebrón, for his part, expressed a deep sense of injustice: "We were number 1 for three years and he says I was a burden to him?"

Their brief meeting in the World Cup final, at the end of last year, had given hope for a moment of unity in the service of Spain. But there again, the magic did not work, with a defeat against Tapia and Chingotto.

A rivalry that is only just beginning?

If the Doha 2025 Major does not allow a new direct confrontation, The Lebrón-Galán saga is far from overThe two Spanish legends continue their careers at the highest level, with different teammates, but the same objective: to regain the number 1 position.

And all eyes remain on the calendar. Because sooner or later, their paths will cross again on the court... and world padel will once again hold its breath.

Benjamin Dupouy

I discovered padel directly during a tournament, and frankly, I didn't really like it at first. But the second time, it was love at first sight, and since then, I haven't missed a single match. I'm even ready to stay up until 3am to watch a final of Premier Padel !

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