Barcelona president Joan Laporta has thrown petrol on the El Clasico fire, declaring institutional relations with Real Madrid are “completely severed” on the eve of the Spanish Super Cup final.
Speaking ahead of Wednesday’s showdown in Saudi Arabia, Laporta pulled no punches. “Relations between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona are poor; indeed, they are broken,” he stated flatly. “Various issues have distanced us. While we were already eternal rivals, a situation is now developing that means relations are not good, and they are broken.”
The Barca chief, who recently hosted a global gathering of the club’s supporters’ clubs, insisted the bitter off pitch atmosphere wouldn’t spill into uncivilised behaviour. “This does not mean we should abandon the mutual respect we must maintain. We will act with respect and in a civilised manner,” he said. “Yet, on this specific front, relations are completely severed.”
When asked if the rift could be healed, Laporta offered little hope for a quick fix. “In football, as in life, anything can be mended, but it depends on the will of both parties. Currently, a series of circumstances have led to relations being broken.”
The explosive comments add a fresh layer of tension to a fixture already dripping with rivalry. The two giants meet for the first silverware of the 2025-26 season, with Real Madrid holding the psychological edge after a 2-1 win at the Bernabéu in their last meeting.
Laporta’s words ensure that beyond the battle for a trophy, this Clasico will be a stark display of a deep and worsening institutional divide.