Real Madrid set for Sunday Clásico without Vinícius Júnior
Real Madrid visit Barcelona at Camp Nou on Sunday for the first Clásico of the season, with Vinícius Júnior suspended and set to miss out.

Real Madrid visit Barcelona at Camp Nou on Sunday for the first Clásico of the season, with Vinícius Júnior suspended and set to miss out.

Real Madrid named their squad for the Spanish league meeting with Barcelona, with Vinícius Júnior, Rodrygo, Raúl Asencio and Ferland Mendy absent.

Former Barcelona youth coach Pau Moral said Xavi Espart can cope with Yan Diomande in Sunday's Clasico at Spotify Camp Nou.

Aurelien Tchouameni said there was no fight with Federico Valverde after an unpleasant Real Madrid dressing-room incident last season.

Real Madrid were due at Camp Nou on Sunday for El Clásico, six points behind Barcelona, with the first meeting of 2026–27 carrying extra pressure.

After Real Madrid's 4-1 win over Leipzig, José Mourinho said he would not say whether Federico Valverde would play in that position again on Saturday.

FootballTransfers said Jose Mourinho started Federico Valverde over Trent Alexander-Arnold against Sevilla, while SciSports rated Liverpool his best fit.

GOAL reported that criticism of Real Madrid's handling of young talent has intensified before the Clasico against Barcelona, with Chema Andrés at the centre.
