The 1999-00 campaign delivered a historic and vital debut season for Málaga CF in the 'Liga de las Estrellas' as the Boquerones, recently promoted, firmly secured their top-flight status with a 12th-place finish. Leading the charge was the sensational Hispano-Brazilian forward Catanha, whose 24 league goals, tying him for second in the entire division, proved crucial in a campaign built on landmark moments, including a historic 2-1 victory over Barcelona at the Nou Camp, making it a proud and unforgettable year that cemented the club's new era in La Liga.. The 2000-01 campaign delivered an exceptional season of consolidation for Málaga as the Boquerones surged to an impressive 8th-place finish in La Liga, bringing them within touching distance of a European place. Leading the charge was the prolific Panamanian Julio Dely Valdés, whose 16 goals anchored the lethal 'Double D' strike force he formed with Darío Silva. The campaign was defined by thrilling moments, including Dely Valdés's hat-trick (featuring a famous bicycle kick) against European runners-up Valencia, and Darío Silva scoring one of the quickest goals in Spanish football history. It was a crucial year that saw the club establish its position in the top flight, a defining chapter that also featured Francisco Rufete earning a call-up to the Spain National Team.