President Perez was furious when Real Madrid were overtaken by arch-rivals Barcelona and “kicked out” of the most prestigious title in 2025!
The 2024-25 season has brought a major upheaval to the Spanish football scene. On April 26, 2025, FC Barcelona secured a dramatic 3-2 victory over Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey final at Seville’s Estadio de La Cartuja. This thrilling Clásico, one of the most hotly contested matches in recent history, not only secured Barcelona their 32nd Copa del Rey title but also infuriated Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez, who found himself outclassed by their arch-rivals. For a club accustomed to dominating Spanish and European football, this defeat marks a bitter chapter in a season in which Los Blancos have struggled to keep pace with a resurgent Barcelona.
The match itself was a spectacle that lived up to the hype surrounding any clash between these two giants. Barcelona, under Hansi Flick, went into the final as favorites, having defeated Real Madrid earlier in the season, including a 5-2 thrashing in the Spanish Super Cup in January and a 4-0 defeat in La Liga in October. The Copa del Rey final was their third meeting of the season, and Barcelona’s desire for the domestic treble was palpable. Despite key players such as Robert Lewandowski, Alejandro Balde, and Marc-André ter Stegen missing due to injury, the Catalans showed resilience and great attacking ability, led by young stars Lamine Yamal and Ferran Torres.
The match began with Barcelona dominating from the outset, with Pedri firing a beautiful shot into the top corner in the 28th minute putting his team ahead. Real Madrid, shaken but not demoralized, responded in the second half through Kylian Mbappé, who equalized in the 69th minute with a low free kick. The match looked doomed until Ferran Torres restored Barcelona’s lead in the 83rd minute, capitalizing on a defensive error. With tension mounting, the match went into extra time, where Jules Koundé struck the decisive blow in the 116th minute with a spectacular 25-yard strike, securing Barcelona’s victory and sparking huge celebrations among the 26,000 Barça fans in attendance.
For Real Madrid, the defeat was compounded by a series of controversies that only fueled Pérez’s frustration. The club’s decision to boycott pre-match activities in protest against the decisions of the Spanish Football Federation set a controversial tone. The match itself was not without drama: a penalty awarded to Barcelona in the final minutes was overturned after a lengthy VAR review, and the Real Madrid bench saw red cards for Antonio Rüdiger, Lucas Vázquez, and Jude Bellingham. These lapses, coupled with the team’s inability to capitalize on its chances, visibly infuriated Pérez. Sources close to the club suggest that the president is particularly disappointed with the team’s weak performances at crucial moments, especially given the high expectations following the arrival of Kylian Mbappé.
Despite his goal, Mbappé has struggled to replicate his Paris Saint-Germain form at Real Madrid. His integration into a squad that already boasts players of the caliber of Vinícius Júnior has been less smooth than expected, with the two occasionally competing for space on the pitch. Manager Carlo Ancelotti, replaced by Xabi Alonso for the 2025-26 season, admitted after the match that defensive lapses were costing his team dearly. “We attacked well, but we made obvious mistakes,” said Ancelotti, acknowledging Barcelona’s superior organization and precise finishing.
For Barcelona, this victory is more than just a trophy; it’s a statement of intent. Under Flick’s leadership, the team has rediscovered the style that defined its golden era. The emergence of Lamine Yamal as a generational talent, coupled with the contributions of players like Raphinha and Pedri, has revitalized a team previously plagued by financial and administrative issues. Victory in the Copa del Rey keeps their dream of a quadruple title alive, with La Liga and the UEFA Champions League still within reach. Barcelona’s lead at the top of La Liga, now seven points ahead of Real Madrid (May 2025), further strengthens their dominance.
The fallout from this defeat has left Real Madrid at a crossroads. Pérez, known for his ambitious vision, is reportedly planning a major overhaul for the 2025-26 season. New signings like Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dean Huijsen indicate their intention to rebuild the squad, but the pain of losing to Barcelona in such a thrilling match will linger long afterward. The rivalry, with its deep political and cultural significance, continues to captivate global audiences, and this latest chapter has only heightened the tension. While Barcelona celebrates, Pérez and Real Madrid must reconcile, with the next Clásico, on October 25, 2025, offering a chance at redemption.
