The seemingly inevitable conclusion to next season’s dominance of Real Madrid in Spain, El Clásico returns on Saturday with the promise of a more balanced festival between two teams that boast some in-form stars.
Real Madrid’s credentials are illuminated heading into Saturday’s home game: they beat Barcelona in every Clásico last season before winning the Los Angeles League and the UEFA Champions League, and achieving a return from the victory through touchdown Kylian Mbappé during the summer. However, in a subtle twist, Barcelona will set up shop in Madrid with its own flyover. The managerial drama and chaos of the cash-strapped summer have given way to a strong start under unused boss Hansi Flick, who boasts a star-studded squad, and the The strangely fit top performer in Europe..
Set for a captivating take on some of the game’s most storied rivalries, which will confront all sides with the biggest tests of the season so far. Here’s what you need to know before you tune in.
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How to attend and probabilities
- Present: Saturday October 26 | Week: 3 pm Eastern Time
- Location: Santiago Bernabéu Stadium – Madrid, Spain
- Currently residing: ESPN+
- Odd: Real Madrid +100; Draw +290; Barcelona +230
The colossal hour of Vinicius’ youth
A wasted year for the Galacticos is happening to Real Madrid, with players like Mbappé and Jude Bellingham playing a colossal role so far this season. On the other hand, one superstar shines brighter than the remains: Vinicius Youth.
The Brazilian international has five goals and five assists in 14 games in all competitions, including his midweek hat-trick. His multi-goal performance on Tuesday played a pivotal role in the 5-2 comeback win over Borussia Dortmund in the UEFA Champions League, embodying what it means to be a great player. He rescued his team from trouble with a brilliant equaliser, but added taste problems with not one, but two generous solo efforts to finish the game.
However, Tuesday’s performance is just the real one in a history of statement-making Vinicius performances. He has now scored in two Champions League finals: 2022 and 2024, and the final kick was the basis of his argument for winning the Ballon d’Or. Vinicius is perceived as the favorite for the award next season’s 24 goals for Real Madrid, and could become the first person to claim his title as the best player in the world next year from Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. He has the support of Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti and his teammate Luka Modric, who received the award in 2018, although he is nominated along with six alternative teammates.
Because of this, the hattrick against Dortmund and a powerful performance in El Clasico could be the best opening acts for the career-defining event that could come in Monday’s Ballon d’Or ritual in Paris. However, with or without a prize, Real Madrid will trust Vinicius to play a colossal role on Saturday. The hosts will be left without Rodrygo, who has three goals and two assists this season, and goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who they want to do everything possible to put the game out of reach.
Raphinha’s superstar is born
At the beginning of the season it used to dry to measure Barcelona’s ceiling. After several years of financial catastrophe which has limited their transfer strategy, they were obviously behind due to Real Madrid’s high spending and the stunning managerial change with Hansi Flick for Xavi only added to the chaos. However, everything seems to fall into place in the first age in a long era for Barcelona. Flick’s team is one of the most prominent in Europe at the moment, passing through practically every test that faces them.
The biggest tests so far came on Wednesday, after they crushed Bayern Munich 4-1 thanks to their amazing superstar of the season: Raphinha. Emerging talent of the Lamine Yamal era and veteran Robert Lewandowski have had dazzling starts of their own, Raphinha managing to eclipse them with a hat-trick on Wednesday. It was a decisive turn for the Brazil international, who is now averaging a goal or assist for Barcelona every 71.5 minutes this season and could be the most in-form player in all five European leagues.
It’s a surprisingly notable appearance from Raphina, whose move from Leeds United in 2022 was an example of Barcelona’s strange spending patterns rather than an indication of a shrewd industry. He failed to score in his first 10 Champions League games but has bounced back in recent months, emerging as a more involved member of the team under Flick. With nine goals and six assists this season, all eyes will be on the World Cup in Brazil to see if he can continue his great streak and possibly lead Barcelona to their biggest victory of the season.
Classic Statistics
document of all time
- 111 victories for Real Madrid
- 125 victories for Barcelona
- 64 attracts
Marked objectives
- 525 goals for Barça
- 489 goals for Real Madrid
Maximum appearances
1. Sergio Busquets (Barcelona), 48 games
T-2. Lionel Messi (Barcelona) and Serigo Ramos (Real Madrid), 45 games
4. Karim Benzema (Real Madrid), 43 games
T-5. Paco Gento (Real Madrid), Manuel Sanchis (Real Madrid) and Xavi (Barcelona), 42 games
8. Gerard Piqué (Barcelona), 40 games
9. Andrés Iniesta (Barcelona), 38 games
T-10. Fernando Hierro (Real Madrid), Raúl (Real Madrid) and Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), 37 games
Manage scorers
1. Lionel Messi (Barcelona), 26 goals
T-2. Alfredo Di Stéfano (Real Madrid) and Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid), 18 goals
4. Karim Benzema (Real Madrid), 16 goals
5. Raúl (Real Madrid), 15 goals
T-6. César (Barcelona), Paco Gento (Real Madrid) and Ferenc Puskas (Real Madrid), 14 goals
9. Santillana (Real Madrid), 12 goals
10. Luis Suárez (Barcelona), 11 goals
