Derby Series Pt. 1: Echoes of El Ćlasico – Real Madrid vs Barcelona

For more than a century, this fixture has carried more than football. It has carried history, politics, pride, identity and the weight of two institutions that have shaped the game as we know it.

On Sunday, January 11, 2026, the two giants meet again in Jeddah, this time with the Spanish Super Cup on the line. And once more, the world will stop to watch.

This is the beginning of our derby series, and there is no better place to start than El Clasico.

A rivalry that grew into a global event

The first official meeting between Real Madrid and Barcelona dates back to 1902. Over time, what began as a competitive football fixture evolved into something far larger. The rivalry took on political meaning during Spain’s challenging years, with Barcelona seen by many as a cultural symbol of Catalonia, while Madrid represented the capital and the establishment.

Today, El Clasico is regarded as the most watched club football match on the planet – even more than the biggest Premier League showdowns. Over the years, broadcasters have reported global audiences running into hundreds of millions. Some editions have drawn numbers comparable to later stage World Cup games. It is one of the few fixtures that attracts even non football fans.

Across more than 260 official matches, the rivalry remains incredibly tight. Real Madrid hold a narrow edge in total competitive wins, with Barcelona only a single victory behind. That closeness is part of the spectacle. No era has truly belonged to one side forever.

Lionel Messi remains the all time top scorer in Clasico history with 26 goals. Cristiano Ronaldo, Alfredo Di Stefano, Raul, Ronaldinho and countless others have left their mark. There have been humiliations, comebacks, late winners and title defining moments.

This is a final, not just another Clasico

Real Madrid and Barcelona meet today, Sunday, with the Spanish Super Cup at stake. For the fourth time in recent years, this competition has come down to these two.

Barcelona demolished Athletic Club 5-0 in the semi finals one of the biggest wins in the history of the tournament. Their football under Hansi Flick has been aggressive, vertical and fearless, and they come into this game believing they can hurt Madrid.

Real Madrid, on the other hand, had to fight their way through Atletico Madrid in a tense derby semi final. That win came with bruises, fatigue and belief.

Managers under the spotlight

Xabi Alonso is still early in his job at Real Madrid. Ahead of this game, he has spoken about trusting his stars, particularly Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe, and also hinted at how he will be flexible with his tactics, depending on the fitness of the team and those who are available.

He knows what this fixture means. He played in it, felt it, and now he will manage it.

For Hansi Flick, it is different. Barcelona’s rebuild is moving fast under the former manager of Bayern Munich. Lamine Yamal, still a teenager, is already one of the most feared players in Spanish football. He was named La Liga Player of the Month for December. Pedri and Frenkie de Jong are there to control the midfield.

The stars and the stage

This fixture has always been about players who rise when the noise is loudest.

Mbappe is expected to lead Madrid’s attack. Vinicius remains their most unpredictable player. You can always count on Jude Bellinghamin to turn up in big games like this, like he did in other Clasicos.

Barcelona will depending on Lamine Yamal. Raphinha and Ferran Torres bring direct threat. Pedri and De Jong control will be there to control the middle.

More than 90 minutes

El Clasico has gone beyond just a match. It draws audiences with numbers that compete with other global tournaments. That is why sponsors, broadcasters and leagues build schedules around it. And that is why, no matter the teamsʼ forms or context, it always feels like the biggest game in the world.

Tonight in Jedda, the two teams will be walking out knowing that millions are watching, millions are judging, and millions are ready to remember.

And as our derby series begins, there is only one question that matters. Will this Clasico become another chapter of history, or just another result?