“Real Madrid isn’t good enough for Barcelona,” Gavi sparked outrage with his blunt remarks just before the season kicked off. Mbappé responded immediately with just twelve cold words that left the Barça midfielder speechless.
With the arrival of the 2025/26 LaLiga season, the rivalry between Real Madrid and Barcelona has been reignited with a heated exchange that has enraged the football world. Barcelona’s young midfielder, Gavi, has inflamed tempers with a provocative statement, claiming that Real Madrid “is not at the level” of his team. The comment has infuriated both fans and players. The 21-year-old, known for his tenacity on the pitch, made this powerful remark during a press conference following Barcelona’s resounding 7-3 victory over FC Seoul on their Asian tour. “We beat them in four Clásicos last season; no wonder they are worried,” Gavi said, according to Soha.vn. “We were excellent, while they didn’t win anything.” His words, brimming with confidence, were a direct hint at Real Madrid’s title-less 2024/25 season, a season in which Barcelona, resurgent under Hansi Flick, won La Liga and the Spanish Super Cup.
Gavi’s comments didn’t stop there. He praised Barcelona’s squad depth, particularly the emergence of Lamine Yamal, who wears the iconic number 10 and is emerging as a future Ballon d’Or contender. “Lamine is incredible, he improves every day,” said Gavi, highlighting Barcelona’s youth academy as a key advantage over their rivals. He also acknowledged Real Madrid’s summer signings, such as Trent Alexander-Arnold and Franco Mastantuono, but downplayed their impact, suggesting that Barcelona’s cohesion and drive make them the dominant force. The midfielder’s comments were interpreted as a calculated strategy to consolidate their dominance for the new season, but they quickly drew a harsh response from Real Madrid’s star striker, Kylian Mbappé.
Mbappé, under enormous pressure since his move from Paris Saint-Germain to Real Madrid in 2024, didn’t mince his words. In an icy and concise response, the French superstar said: “Talk is easy; we’ll solve this on the pitch.” His twelve-word reply, delivered with icy calm during a press conference, was a masterpiece of serenity and confidence. The statement, reported by multiple media outlets, left little room for reaction for Gavi, thus stifling the young midfielder’s bravado. Mbappé’s words carry weight, especially considering his individual brilliance last season, when he scored 44 goals in all competitions, surpassing even Cristiano Ronaldo’s debut season at Real Madrid, according to ESPN. Despite his personal success, Mbappé’s first year was marked by Real Madrid’s collective failures, including a 4-0 defeat to PSG in the Club World Cup and multiple losses to Barcelona.
The backdrop to this war of words is a turbulent period for Real Madrid. The departure of Carlo Ancelotti and the arrival of Xabi Alonso as manager brought significant changes. Tasked with rebuilding a team with defensive issues and a lack of midfield cohesion, Alonso has overseen a thorough overhaul. The arrivals of Alexander-Arnold, Dean Huijsen, and Álvaro Carreras should bolster the defense, while young talent Mastantuono brings flair to the midfield. However, the team’s 2024-25 season exposed vulnerabilities, and Barcelona capitalized on their inconsistencies. Defeats in the Spanish Super Cup, the Copa del Rey, and a 4-3 loss in La Liga’s El Clásico underlined Barcelona’s advantage, as reported by Dân trí. Gavi’s confidence has been boosted by these results, but Mbappé’s reaction indicates a renewed determination to turn things around.
Meanwhile, Barcelona is on a roll. Hansi Flick’s tactical discipline and the emergence of promising youngsters like Yamal and Dani Olmo have revitalized the squad. Despite the absence of key players like Robert Lewandowski in crucial matches, Barcelona’s depth has kept them competitive in all aspects. Gavi’s comments reflect the belief that Barcelona’s strong form will take them into the new season as favorites. However, Mbappé’s reaction is a reminder that Real Madrid, with its rich history and renewed ambition, is far from finished.
With the arrival of the season, the stage is set for a new chapter in this historic rivalry. Gavi’s boldness and Mbappé’s cold defiance have added fuel to the fire. The fans eagerly await the first Clásico, where words will give way to actions. For now, Mbappé’s terse response has changed the narrative and puts pressure on Gavi and Barcelona to prove their point. In a rivalry marked by passion and pride, the field will decide the outcome.
