Barcelona news

Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham has fired an ominous warning to his England team-mate Marcus Rashford, saying he’s back to his best physical condition and relishing playing in El Clasico. Real lead Barcelona by two points at the top of La Liga ahead of the hotly-anticipated clash at the Bernabeu, with more than just bragging rights at stake.

Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has ended the club's pursuit of Barcelona star Robert Lewandowski despite Ruben Amorim being eager to bring the veteran to Old Trafford next summer. Lewandowski's existing deal at Barcelona expires at the end of the season and the Catalan giants are unlikely to offer the Polish forward an extension, which will make him a free agent.

Marcus Rashford could be thrust into the starting line-up for Barcelona for the highly-anticipated El Clasico clash on Sunday following another damaging injury to a key Barca star just hours before the match. The England international has made an excellent start to his loan spell at Barcelona, bagging five goals and six assists in 12 appearances across all competitions.

The war of words ahead of El Clasico shows no sign of abating with Madrid captain Dani Carvajal planning to confront Barca wonderkid Lamine Yamal at the end of the match over what he sees as "disrespectful" remarks in the build-up to the hotly-anticipated clash between the Spanish giants. Speaking on a Twitch stream ahead of the game, Yamal stoked the ill-feeling between the two sides, saying: "They (Real) steal, they complain, and they do things".

Real Madrid have chalked up a transfer plan for Endrick that will allow the out-of-favour striker to make a January exit, as he desperately wants more minutes under his belt to convince Carlo Ancelotti to give him a spot in Brazil's 2026 World Cup squad. Los Blancos beat Paris Saint-Germain to his signature three years ago and forked out a massive €60 million (£52m/$64m) to Palmeiras. However, his time in the Spanish capital has not gone according to plan.

Lamine Yamal mocked YouTuber Ibai Lanos and told him to "go to sleep" during a wild celebration after the Barcelona wonderkid saw his team to victory in a "Clasico" in Gerard Piqué's Kings League. His over-the-top gestures came hot on the heels of another fiery moment during a Twitch stream, where he accused Real Madrid of “stealing and complaining”, a dig that has not gone down well within the Los Blancos dressing room.

The Real Madrid dressing has responded angrily to Lamine Yamal's comments about the club as tensions ahead of El Clasico reach boiling point. Los Blancos are supposedly frustrated with Yamal, whose off the pitch antics are beginning to get under the skin of the players in the Spanish capital. Ahead of Sunday's game, Yamal has added fuel to the fire.

As Marcus Rashford prepares to face Real Madrid as Barcelona's most productive player this season, fresh from scoring two classy goals against Olympiacos in the Champions League, it is worth remembering that the striker was mocked in some quarters for having the audacity to think he could even play for the Blaugrana after two disappointing seasons, let alone rip it up for them.

Mic'd Up: The former Real Madrid star discussed El Clasico and why it's 'mad to be having a discussion about Jude Bellingham'

La Liga title race heats up as Real Madrid host nemesis Barcelona in the 262nd El Clásico.

Real Madrid and Barcelona are set to renew their rivalry ahead of Sunday's monumental El Clasico clash at the Santiago Bernabeu. Ronald Araujo, expected to start for the Catalans in defence, was lavish in his praise for Vinicius Junior and credited the Brazilian for bringing "the best out of me". The duo's matchup has been one of the themes of Madrid and Barca's encounters over the past few seasons.

Two days prior to El Clasico, Hansi Flick finds his Barcelona contingent in dire straits as they are hit with yet another injury setback. This time, it's their Brazilian lynchpin Raphinha, who missed training on Friday, and doubts have been cast over his involvement against Real Madrid on Sunday.

Fermin Lopez has revealed that Real Madrid once showed interest in signing him before his Barcelona breakthrough but the midfielder insists he never had doubts about his future. Lopez, now a rising star under Hansi Flick, admitted he would have chosen Barca regardless, calling it his “big dream.” Ahead of El Clasico, the 22-year-old is full of belief and confidence in his team.