Image of the press room at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper ahead of El Clásico / Valentí Enrich
Juan Manuel Díaz
A total of 263 Clásicos have been played between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid, and the excitement, far from fading, continues to grow. This Sunday’s match, scheduled for May 10, was set for a date when both teams were expected to be fighting for the 2025/26 La Liga title. That is exactly the case, though the stakes could hardly be higher: if Barcelona win or draw, they will be crowned champions against their eternal rivals; if Real Madrid prevail at the Spotify Camp Nou, they will delay the Blaugrana’s celebration and keep their slim comeback hopes alive.
The sporting drama is further fueled by the turmoil in the Real Madrid dressing room. It has been an open secret since early in the season that the locker room was a powder keg, with Xabi Alonso’s clash with Vinicius Junior leading to the Basque coach’s dismissal, discontent over Kylian Mbappé’s attitude, and the latest blow-up between Fede Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni.
Given the circumstances, it comes as no surprise that Barcelona’s communication team has once again had to juggle resources to handle a season-record 654 media accreditation requests. The Camp Nou, still under construction but growing day by day, will host a massive press presence. The event is well worth the effort: if Barça win, the title is theirs. Moreover, Hansi Flick’s side has the chance to bring the historic rivalry’s balance back to equilibrium. Currently, Real Madrid lead by the narrowest of margins with 106 victories to Barcelona’s 105, plus 52 draws. The goal difference is also razor-thin after so many decades: Madrid have scored 444 goals, Barça 439.
It is no surprise, then, that beyond the star commentators following the match from media headquarters worldwide, the rights-holding broadcasters are deploying a luxury lineup of experts at the stadium itself.
**A Starting XI of Illustrious Commentators**
Movistar will have Jorge Valdano, Álvaro Benito, and Gerard López on site. All three know firsthand what it feels like to live a Clásico—the first two from the Madrid side, the third from the Barça camp. The Brazilian and former Barça and Lyon star, Sonny Anderson da Silva, will be a commentator for Bein France.
Bein MENA will feature former Moroccan midfielder Youssef Chippo, who played for Porto and Coventry City, among others. Canal Plus Afrique has recruited ex-Monaco, PSG, and Rangers defender José Pierre-Fanfan as an expert.
Canal Plus Poland, naturally interested in the fortunes of Robert Lewandowski and Wojciech Szczęsny, will have former international striker Marcin Żewłakow—who played for Polonia Warsaw, Beveren, and Metz—as a commentator.
ESPN USA has called on two former Spanish footballers to follow tonight’s Clásico: Luis García, former Barcelona forward and Champions League winner with Liverpool, will share the microphone with ex-Atlético Madrid midfielder Mario Suárez.
Finally, DAZN Belgium, likely keeping a close eye on their compatriot Thibaut Courtois, will have former international Gilles De Bilde, who played for PSV, Sheffield Wednesday, and Aston Villa. Meanwhile, DAZN Dach (for Germany and Austria) will feature Sami Khedira, the former German international and ex-Stuttgart, Real Madrid, and Juventus midfielder.
