The 2022-23 campaign delivered a devastating end to an era for Málaga as the Boquerones finished a crushing 20th in the Segunda División, resulting in relegation to the third tier (Primera Federación) for the first time since 1998. The season was defined by extreme turmoil and three different head coaches in a desperate, ultimately failed, fight for survival. Despite the chaos, the veteran striker Rubén Castro proved his enduring quality by netting 10 crucial goals, even breaking the all-time record for most official matches between Spain's top two divisions. It was an unforgettable, dark year that marked a painful but defining chapter in the club's modern history.