Real Madrid vs. Barcelona: Vinicius Junior, Raphinha headline high-stakes El Clasico for La Liga top spot

After a season of foregone conclusions in Spain, El Clasico returns on Saturday with the promise of competition between two teams boasting some in-form all-stars.

Real Madrid’s credentials are clear coming into Saturday’s fixture at home – they beat Barcelona in both Clasicos last season before winning La Liga and the UEFA Champions League, and took a victory lap by landing Kylian Mbappe over the summer. In an intriguing twist, though, Barcelona will arrive in Madrid riding a high of their own. The managerial drama and cash-strapped chaos of the summer has given way to a strong start under new boss Hansi Flick, who boasts a star-studded roster of his own – and the most surprisingly in-form player in Europe.

It sets up for a fascinating edition of one of the sport’s most storied rivalries, which will offer both sides their biggest tests of the season so far. Here’s what you need to know before tuning in.

How to watch and odds

• Date: Saturday, Oct. 26 | Time: 3 p.m. ET
• Location: Santiago Bernabeu Stadium — Madrid, Spain
• Live stream: ESPN+
• Odds: Real Madrid +100; Draw +290; Barcelona +230

Vinicius Junior’s big week

A new era of the Galacticos are delivering for Real Madrid, with the likes of Mbappe and Jude Bellingham playing a big role so far this season. However, one star is shining brighter than the rest – Vinicius Junior.

The Brazil international has five goals and five assists in 14 games across all competitions, adding to his tally with a midweek hat trick. His multi-goal performance on Tuesday played an instrumental role in their come-from-behind 5-2 win over Borussia Dortmund in the UEFA Champions League, embodying what it means to be a big-time player. He bailed his side out of trouble with a practical equalizer, but added style points with not one, but two brilliant solo efforts to finish the game off.

Tuesday’s performance is just the latest in a string of statement-making showings from Vinicius, though. He has now scored in two Champions League finals – 2022 and 2024, the latter serving as the foundation for his argument to win the Ballon d’Or. Vinicius is the perceived frontrunner for the award after a 24 goal season for Real Madrid, and could become the first person to stake their claim as the world’s best player after the era of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. He has the support of Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti and teammate Luka Modric, who won the award in 2018, though he is nominated alongside six other teammates.

As a result, the hattrick against Dortmund and a strong performance in El Clasico could serve as the perfect opening acts for the career-defining moment that could come at Monday’s Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris. With or without the award, though, Real Madrid will no doubt count on Vinicius to play a big role on Saturday. The hosts will be without Rodrygo, who has three goals and two assists this season, and goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, needing him to do his best to put the game out of reach.

Raphinha’s star is born

At the start of the season, it was hard to gauge Barcelona’s ceiling. Several years into a financial crisis that has limited their transfer strategy, they were clearly lagging behind the high-spending Real Madrid and the surprise managerial swap with Hansi Flick for Xavi only added to the chaos. Yet, everything seems to be clicking for the first time in a long time for Barcelona. Flick’s side are one of the most impressive in Europe right now, passing just about every test that faces them.

The biggest of those tests so far came on Wednesday, when they smashed Bayern Munich 4-1 thanks in large part to their surprise star of the season – Raphinha. While rising talent Lamine Yamal and veteran Robert Lewandowski are off to bright starts of their own, Raphinha managed to overshadow them with a hat trick on Wednesday. It was a star-making turn for the Brazil international, who is now averaging a goal or assist for Barcelona every 71.5 minutes this season and might just be the most in-form player in Europe’s top five leagues.

It’s an incredibly impressive showing from Raphina, whose transfer from Leeds United in 2022 was once an example of Barcelona’s weird spending patterns rather than a sign of smart business. He failed to score in his first 10 Champions League games but has come into his own in recent months, emerging as a more involved member of the team under Flick. With nine goals and six assists this season already, all eyes will be on the Brazil international to see if he can continue his hot streak – and perhaps lead Barcelona to their biggest win of the season.

El Clasico stats

All-time record

• 111 Real Madrid wins
• 125 Barcelona wins
• 64 draws

Goals scored

• 525 Barcelona goals
• 489 Real Madrid goals

Most appearances

1. Sergio Busquets (Barcelona), 48 games
T-2. Lionel Messi (Barcelona) and Serigo Ramos (Real Madrid), 45 games
4. Karim Benzema (Real Madrid), 43 games
T-5. Paco Gento (Real Madrid), Manuel Sanchis (Real Madrid) and Xavi (Barcelona), 42 games
8. Gerard Pique (Barcelona), 40 games
9. Andres Iniesta (Barcelona), 38 games
T-10. Fernando Hierro (Real Madrid), Raul (Real Madrid) and Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), 37 games

Top goalscorers

1. Lionel Messi (Barcelona), 26 goals
T-2. Alfredo Di Stefano (Real Madrid) and Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid), 18 goals
4. Karim Benzema (Real Madrid), 16 goals
5. Raul (Real Madrid), 15 goals
T-6. Cesar (Barcelona), Paco Gento (Real Madrid) and Ferenc Puskas (Real Madrid), 14 goals
9. Santillana (Real Madrid), 12 goals
10. Luis Suarez (Barcelona), 11 goals