Where is the Mystique? A Look into Who's Missing at El Classico


Share this post

One of soccer's biggest dates on the schedule has lost it's luster.  From intriguing storylines to the roughest defender in the world and of course the two best soccer players of this generation going head to head to see who's best in a way that we would only see if their national teams of Portugal and Argentina drew a matchup at the world cup.

The guy who created the pass , pass , pass system is now at Manchester United (Pep Guardiola). Iniesta is in China, Suarez is in Madrid, Neymar is in Paris, ...Eto'o and Ronaldinho are on their couches watching with us.  Barcelona's two most intriguing players Mephis and Griezmann.... wait... Griezmann is accross town with Suarez.  Pique is still there though and DeJong is a star right?  Ansu Fati looks like he has a bright future, but hasn't hit his stride just yet.  Dembele should be in Newcastle soon or somewhere similar as Barcelona might not give the often-hurt winger a new contract.

Real Madrid has some continuity though.  Marcelo, Benzema, Kroos, Modric, Isco, Bale, Cortious , Casemiro, Carvahal, and more are still there.  In fact Ronaldo feels like the only major loss on offense.  The defense lost both of it's central defenders.  Varane is in Manchester, but his form hasn't been much to write home to Madrid about.  Mardid replaced him with an equal or maybe even better central defender in Alaba.  Ramos is enjoying Paris.

Sergio Ramos PSG
Sergio Ramos signs to PSG

There you have it. The scene is set.  Memphis vs. Benzema.  Its not the same as Ronaldo and Messi, but it's still El Classico.  Is it the same for you?  Let us know.


Share this post
Comments

Be the first to know

Join our community and get notified about upcoming stories

Subscribing...
You've been subscribed!
Something went wrong
Real Madrid send UEFA 'substantial' documents regarding Barcelona's alleged referee payments

Real Madrid send UEFA 'substantial' documents regarding Barcelona's alleged referee payments

UEFA confirmed on Thursday afternoon that it had received multiple documents from Real Madrid regarding the investigation into allegations that Barcelona have made payments to Jose María Enriquez Negreira, the former deputy head of Spain's technical committee of referees. The Negreira case, an investigation into payments that Barcelona allegedly sent to the CTA vice-president over several seasons, is has loomed large over Spanish football in recent years. On Thursday afternoon, UEFA confirmed


O A

Three takeaways from Trump's “Super Intelligence” summit

Three takeaways from Trump's “Super Intelligence” summit

US President Donald Trump hosted a meeting of top technology bosses on Tuesday for what he called "an extraordinary gathering" of the minds that are "building America's Golden Age". The guest list included leaders from OpenAI, Anthropic, Nvidia, SpaceX, Meta and Google - all key figures in the US AI industry. The meeting came as some tech executives and experts have called for tighter oversight of AI, citing concerns about the potential risks it poses to humanity. Here are three key takeaways


O A

One of the five men detained near RAF Fairford called 999 himself

One of the five men detained near RAF Fairford called 999 himself

One of five men arrested near RAF Fairford in the early hours of Sunday morning had dialled 999 himself, according to the BBC. The suspect called the police at 00:45 BST, almost an hour before a female farmer also dialled 999 after seeing men in balaclavas. The five were arrested on suspicion of explosives offences and later terrorism offences after three vans were spotted, sparking a major security incident around the Gloucestershire base which the US military operates. They were released on


O A

Novak Djokovic 1 of 12 members of proposed player council to meet with Grand Slams

Novak Djokovic 1 of 12 members of proposed player council to meet with Grand Slams

A dialogue between the four tennis Grand Slam tournaments and disgruntled players has moved a step closer, as sources confirmed to AFP on Monday the 12 members of a proposed advisory council. Novak Djokovic, who has won a record 24 Grand Slam singles titles, and women's No.1 Elena Rybakina head the list posted on social media earlier Monday by Jon Wertheim of Sports Illustrated. The four Grand Slams - the US Open, Australian Open, French Open and Wimbledon - announced the creation of the counc


O A