Sunday’s El Clásico may well shape the 2025–26 La Liga title race, with leaders Real Madrid attempting to assert their authority over champions Barcelona with a victory on Sunday.
Barça are playing catch-up at the summit, with injuries and off-field drama ensuring the start of their title defense has been anything but serene. Hansi Flick is yet to succumb to the club’s infamous ’entorno,’ but the German is perhaps beginning to understand why so many managers have crumbled in Catalonia.
El Clásico is rarely devoid of narratives, and Sunday’s bout is no different, with the stakes inflamed by Lamine Yamal’s prematch taunts.
Barcelona have dominated the head-to-head duel as of late, and the visitors have a household name on their side at the Santiago Bernabéu. And no, we’re not talking about Yamal, the in-form Fermín López or the returning Raphinha, but a multi Grammy Award winner in Ed Sheeran.
Now, you’re probably wondering what the man who brought us ‘Shape of You,’ ‘Photograph’ and ‘Castle on the Hill’ has got to do with Sunday’s Clásico, so let’s give you an explanation.
