The long-running rivalry between Real Madrid and Barcelona has once again spilled off the pitch, with tensions rising between both clubs’ hierarchies in recent weeks. What began as subtle jabs has escalated into a full-blown public exchange, dragging both institutions into yet another political storm outside football.
Softfootball understands that the situation heated up after Florentino Pérez and sections of the Madrid hierarchy accused Barcelona of irregular practices, with renewed references to the Negreira case a scandal that has been under investigation for more than a year. In response, Joan Laporta launched his own aggressive counterattack, accusing Real Madrid of buying referees, a claim that was widely criticized across the football world for lacking evidence and inflaming an already tense atmosphere.
Amid the drama, Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso has stepped forward to cool the temperature, choosing to distance his squad from the political noise.
According to Fabrizio Romano via his official X handle, Alonso addressed Laporta’s statements directly, Romano posted:
Xabi Alonso on Laporta’s comments on Real Madrid: We know the populist messages for their own interests. We are focussed on our own things. The important thing is to win on the field, in a well-deserved and sporty way.
Alonso’s comments come at a time when both clubs are trying to maintain stability on the pitch despite the chaos surrounding them.
As the saga continues to unfold, it’s becoming clear that both clubs are fighting battles on multiple fronts, sporting, political, and reputational. The road ahead looks intense, with both sides refusing to back down publicly, and the eyes of world football fixed firmly on how this rivalry evolves not just on matchdays, but in every boardroom statement and every media appearance that follows.
