The Estadio de La Cartuja in Seville is primed to host a footballing earthquake on Saturday evening. The Copa del Rey final pits Barcelona against Real Madrid in an El Clásico that’s less a match and more a global obsession. With 60,000 fans split evenly between blaugrana and white, this is the eighth time these titans have clashed for the Copa, and the stakes are volcanic. Barcelona, under Hansi Flick’s Midas touch, chase a 32nd title and a potential quadruple. Real Madrid, licking wounds from a Champions League exit, need this 21st Copa to salvage their season.
All set for tonight’s El Clasico in the Copa Del Rey Final! Carlo Ancelotti comes with A LOT of pressure on him and after being CRUSHED in 2 previous Clasicos earlier this season, but with a title on the line, can he deliver for Florentino Perez and Real Madrid? pic.twitter.com/VauMQmmJJE
— 365Scores (@365Scores) April 26, 2025
Copa Del Rey Special
Refereeing Madness
The 2025 Copa del Rey final, pitting rivals Real Madrid against Barcelona, was overshadowed by intense refereeing drama that escalated tensions before the match at La Cartuja in Seville. The controversy began when Real Madrid TV, the club’s official channel, released a series of videos criticizing referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea, who was appointed to officiate the final. These videos highlighted past decisions by De Burgos, particularly in matches involving Barcelona, suggesting bias and questioning his suitability for such a high-stakes El Clásico. The campaign fueled a broader narrative from Real Madrid, who accused the refereeing body of favoritism toward Barcelona, pointing to historical grievances and recent decisions they felt were unfair.
In response, De Burgos held an emotional press conference, visibly distraught and in tears, defending his integrity and professionalism. He condemned the personal attacks and the pressure exerted by Real Madrid’s media campaign. VAR official Pablo González Fuertes, also assigned to the final, supported De Burgos and warned that referees might take stronger measures—potentially legal or professional—against such public criticisms in the future to protect their reputation. The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) stood firm, refusing Real Madrid’s demand to replace the officials, asserting that the appointments were based on merit and that caving to pressure would set a dangerous precedent.
Real Madrid escalated the situation by boycotting pre-match activities, such as the traditional referees’ lunch, and initially fueled speculation about a possible boycott of the final itself. This stemmed from their frustration with the RFEF and what they perceived as systemic bias in refereeing decisions, particularly in matches against Barcelona.
Despite the standoff, Real Madrid confirmed they would participate in the final, likely to avoid severe sanctions or public backlash. The controversy cast a shadow over the buildup to the match, shifting focus from the on-pitch rivalry to off-field disputes. This incident also reignited debates about the influence of club-affiliated media, the vulnerability of referees to public pressure, and the RFEF’s handling of such conflicts, with some calling for reforms to ensure neutrality and protect officials in Spain’s fiercely competitive football landscape.
Barca fans catching up with all the Real Madrid vs refs drama in the last 24 hours ? pic.twitter.com/t2kmEub2yy
— 365Scores (@365Scores) April 26, 2025
Team News
Barcelona
Hansi Flick’s Barcelona are a juggernaut, but injuries are testing their depth. Robert Lewandowski’s hamstring injury—a gut-punch given his 15 La Liga goals—rules him out, thrusting Ferran Torres into the striker role. Alejandro Balde’s hamstring issue means Gerard Martín steps up at left-back, while Marc Casado and Marc Bernal are also sidelined.
Marc-André ter Stegen is back from a knee injury, but Wojciech Szczęsny’s form keeps him in goal. Pau Cubarsí returns to anchor defense alongside Iñigo Martínez, with Ronald Araujo potentially benched. Frenkie de Jong and Jules Koundé are back in the XI, and Lamine Yamal and Raphinha are locked in on the wings. Despite the absences, Barça’s 1-0 win over Mallorca showed their rotation resilience, but can Torres fill Lewandowski’s boots?
A huge blow for Barcelona as their number 9 will be out for 2 crucial games that could defy the Catalans season. pic.twitter.com/ocrVZCMHQm
— 365Scores (@365Scores) April 20, 2025
Real Madrid
Real Madrid’s squad is a high-wire act of brilliance and fragility. Eduardo Camavinga’s season-ending adductor injury against Getafe is a brutal blow, joining Dani Carvajal and Éder Militão on the long-term absentee list. Lucas Vázquez fills in at right-back, a weak link against Barça’s wingers, while Fran García starts at left-back.
Kylian Mbappé, despite an ankle scare against Arsenal, is fit to lead alongside Vinícius Júnior and Rodrygo, with Carlo Ancelotti confirming the latter’s start despite recent criticism. Thibaut Courtois guards the net, with Antonio Rüdiger and Marco Asencio in central defense. Federico Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni must fill Camavinga’s void in midfield, where Jude Bellingham roams. A 1-0 Getafe win kept Madrid’s pulse, but their patched-up defense faces a stern test.
Key Players
Barcelona – Pedri
Pedri is Barcelona’s quiet genius, a 22-year-old who plays with the grace of a dancer and the vision of a chess grandmaster. Every touch is a brushstroke, every pass a line of poetry, weaving patterns that leave opponents chasing shadows. On the ball, he’s untouchable, gliding through midfield like a breeze, his pass accuracy a testament to his silk.
Against Mallorca, he didn’t just play—he conducted, earning gasps and praise for stealing the show. With Lewandowski sidelined, Pedri’s wand of a left foot becomes Barça’s lifeline, tasked with unlocking Madrid’s defense. Football respects his Euro 2024 swagger, fans calling him the heir to Xavi’s throne. If he sets the rhythm, Barcelona will dance, and La Cartuja will be his stage.
? Pedri has been named LaLiga Player of the Month for April ?
— 365Scores (@365Scores) April 24, 2025
A well-deserved recognition for the Barcelona midfielder after a series of standout performances ?? pic.twitter.com/MHRxKNGT59
Real Madrid – Jude Bellingham
Jude Bellingham doesn’t just play football—he bends it to his will. At 21, the Englishman is a force of nature, a whirlwind of heart and hustle who turns games into his personal canvas. His thunderous runs and velvet touches light up the Bernabéu, and in Seville, he’s ready to paint a masterpiece. Whether he’s charging into the box like a runaway train or threading a pass that slices defenses, Bellingham’s presence is electric.
Stung by Barcelona’s 4-0 and 5-2 maulings this season, he’s a man on a mission, fueled by a hunger to etch his name in Clásico lore. Fans swoon over his knack for seizing the moment, whispering of his destiny in finals. When the lights burn brightest, expect Bellingham to be Madrid’s beating heart, a one-man rebellion against Barça’s tide.
Key Statistics
Defending Champions Out: Athletic Bilbao, the 2024 Copa del Rey champions, crashed out in the round of 16 to Osasuna, ensuring no repeat winner since Barcelona’s four-peat (2015-2018). This opens the door for a new king in Seville.
Clásico Copa Finals Record: This is the eighth Copa del Rey final between Barcelona and Real Madrid. Madrid lead 4-3 in their seven prior finals:
- 2014: Real Madrid 2-1 Barcelona (Ángel Di María, Gareth Bale)
- 2011: Real Madrid 1-0 Barcelona (Cristiano Ronaldo)
- 1990: Barcelona 2-0 Real Madrid (Guillermo Amor, Julio Salinas)
- 1983: Barcelona 2-1 Real Madrid
- 1974: Real Madrid 4-0 Barcelona
- 1968: Barcelona 1-0 Real Madrid
- 1936: Real Madrid 2-1 Barcelona
Total Copa Meetings: Across the Copa del Rey’s history, Barcelona and Real Madrid have clashed 38 times, with Madrid holding a slight edge in their head-to-head.
All-Time Copa Titles:
- Barcelona: 31 (last in 2020-21)
- Athletic Bilbao: 24
- Real Madrid: 20 (last in 2022-23)
- Atlético Madrid: 10
- Valencia: 8
Barça’s 2024-25 Clásico Dominance: Barcelona have obliterated Real Madrid twice this season:
- 4-0 in La Liga at the Bernabéu (October 2024)
- 5-2 in the Spanish Super Cup final
Recent Form:
- Barcelona: Unbeaten domestically since December 2024, with a 1-0 La Liga win over Mallorca.
- Real Madrid: Bounced back from a 5-1 Champions League loss to Arsenal with a 1-0 La Liga win over Getafe.
By Nicky Helfgott – NickyHelfgott1 on X (Twitter)
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