We’re less than a week away from the opening day of the new La Liga season and Real Madrid are the team they need to beat more than ever following the acquisition of Kylian Mbappe. Barcelona are competing as best they can with the signing of Dani Olmo from RB Leipzig, but there are big differences between last season’s Spanish and European champions and the supposedly cash-strapped Catalan giants. That said, one of the hottest players in this summer’s transfer market is Athletic Club’s Nico Williams. Barca have been relentlessly linked with the Spain international following his starring role at UEFA Euro 2024 alongside new superstar Lamine Yamal. Williams seems determined to stay at Athletic, but until the transfer window closes at the end of this month, you never know.
Hansi Flick’s men cannot quite match Carlo Ancelotti’s Blancos yet and that will likely be reflected in how the pair perform in the same competitions they will compete in.
Here’s how Real and Barca’s respective terms could play out in 2024-2025.
Real Madrid
- Predicted trophy harvest: La Liga, Copa del Rey and Spanish Super Cup.
- Predicted key figure: Judas Bellingham
- Predicted top scorer: Kylian Mbappe (25-30 goals)
- Predicted top youngster: Endrik
Make no mistake: the current Spanish and European title holders are the team to beat in every competition this coming season. Not only have they added Mbappe to their squad, but they have also gone from strength to strength despite the departure of Toni Kroos. Thibaut Courtois, Eder Militao and David Alaba are all back as new signings Ancelotti can use after long-term injuries. Not to mention another actual signing of Brazilian wunderkind Endrick, along with world-class stars like Vini Jr. and Bellingham, who could also be Ballon d’Or winners by the end of this year.
As for how they will fare in the coming year, it is tempting to suggest that they will sweep it all before them again and be crowned domestic and European kings. However, the reality is that it may take longer for Mbappe and his superstar teammates to become a success, and it is unlikely that they will defend their UEFA Champions League title for that reason – especially given the new European format. In Spain it’s a very different conversation, with Real clearly above all others – including Barcelona – and more than capable of winning any trophy.
Barcelona
- Predicted trophy harvest: No.
- Predicted key figure: Lamine Yamal
- Predicted top scorer: Dani Olmo (15-20 goals)
- Predicted youngster: Pau Cubarsi
With Hansi Flick coming in to replace Xavi, Barca are in temporary relief with financial problems still rife and aging players potentially ready to move on. The Blaugrana’s saving grace however is their young talents with Yamal, Cubarsi, Pedri, Gavi and Fermin Lopez all coming through La Masia, as well as Olmo who left and is now back, having developed in Croatia with Dinamo Zagreb and then in Germany at RB. Leipzig. That talent will be needed for the club’s continued rebuilding, but there is no guarantee that the club will be ready to dominate on all fronts until all these players have matured and become accustomed to the mega expectations surrounding Camp Nou.
In terms of silverware, it’s hard to see where success will come from for Barça as Real set to dominate the Spanish landscape once again. El Clasico could be decisive when it comes to determining who comes out on top when they play each other, but Real look set to dominate at home. Perhaps a realistic goal for Flick and his players would be a domestic cup win ahead of Real, but the Champions League is something this side will have to build towards once key pieces are put together again. There is no shame in a season of transition because these things take time to come together – especially when there are as many expectations as there are in Barcelona – and this next campaign is all about making the right moves to ensure that the core of this current group remains together. If that happens and a key element like Olmo is added to the mix, then the future could be very interesting for Barça.