Barcelona or Madrid: Who rules the Copa Del Rey?

In Seville this Saturday, Barcelona and Real Madrid will meet in the Copa del Rey final – a showdown steeped in history and high stakes. Between them, Spain‘s two most storied clubs have lifted the King’s Cup 51 times (Barcelona 31, Real Madrid 20), a testament to their dominance in the century-old competition. Now they face each other with a trophy on the line and season-defining momentum.

This final arrives at a critical juncture in the La Liga title race. Barcelona sits atop the league, four points ahead of Real Madrid with five matches remaining. A victory in the cup could bolster Barcelona’s bid for a domestic double, reinforcing their confidence as the finish line nears. Real Madrid, meanwhile, view the final as a chance to spark a late-season surge. A win over their archrivals would add to their 20 Copa del Rey titles and potentially shift the psychology of a tightening title race.

Tension off the pitch and key absences

As if a Clásico final needed more drama, the buildup has been marked by controversy off the pitch. Real Madrid’s television channel released a video this week scrutinizing the match referee, Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea, by spotlighting what it claimed were a series of past errors in his games. The unprecedented broadside, including statistics suggesting Madrid fare worse under this referee than Barcelona, drew widespread criticism. De Burgos even broke down in tears when addressing the issue, lamenting, “It’s very hard … It is not right what we are going through”, a plea for respect toward officials amid the intense spotlight.

On the field, Real Madrid also grapples with adversity. Defender David Alaba and midfielder Eduardo Camavinga both suffered leg muscle injuries in a midweek win and have been ruled out of the final, dealing a blow to Carlo Ancelotti‘s lineup. Ancelotti admitted it “looks very unlikely” that either will recover in time. Their absence forces Real to adjust on the fly against a near full-strength Barcelona side brimming with confidence.

The stage is set for an electric night at La Cartuja Stadium. Beyond the prestigious trophy at stake, a triumph on Saturday could reverberate into the final chapter of the season. Barcelona hopes to cement its dominance with another title, while Real Madrid seeks a defining victory to reignite its campaign. In a rivalry that offers no shortage of storylines, this Copa del Rey final could end up being a turning point that both clubs will remember for years to come.