In a turn of events that has ignited social media and sports headlines, FC Barcelona manager Hansi Flick sparked a storm of controversy following the draw for the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League group stage, held on August 29, 2025, at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco. In a press conference following the event, Flick accused Real Madrid of benefiting from a “suspiciously favorable” draw, claiming that the Merengue club “only knows how to cheat” to ensure an easy path in the competition. The indignation-laced statement follows a draw that awarded Real Madrid opponents such as Almaty of Kazakhstan and Newcastle United, considered less demanding than Barcelona’s clashes with teams like Chelsea and PSG. However, Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham’s calm and astute response has shifted the narrative, generating enthusiasm among Real Madrid fans.

The Champions League draw, which assigned each team eight opponents from the four pots, avoided clashes between clubs from the same country, leading to speculation about the fairness of the process. A visibly frustrated Flick noted that Real Madrid appeared to have been favored by a “recurring pattern” in European draws, hinting at outside influences at UEFA. “It’s incredible how they always end up with the most comfortable opponents. This is not a coincidence, it’s a disgrace for football,” the German coach said, as reported by Marca. His words quickly resonated on social media, with Barça fans supporting his stance and accusing Real Madrid of manipulating the system, while others, such as X user @kykyszn, pointed to alleged historical connections between Real Madrid and referees, recalling the Negreira case.

Real Madrid, for their part, did not sit idly by. Jude Bellingham, the English midfielder who has become a key figure for Los Blancos, responded with a calmness that contrasted with Flick’s fury. In an interview with TNT Sports after the draw, Bellingham said: “We don’t control the draw, we play whoever we’re drawn against. If Barça thinks this is easy, they can come and play in Almaty or St. James’ Park. Football is not won in the draw, it’s won on the pitch.” His elegant and forceful retort was celebrated by Real Madrid fans, who flooded X with messages of support, such as one from @realmadrid: “Bellingham, shut your mouths! 💪.” The Englishman’s response not only disarmed Flick’s accusations, but also reinforced the fans’ confidence in the team’s competitive mentality.

Controversy is nothing new in the rivalry between Barcelona and Real Madrid, which transcends the sporting aspect and is fueled by narratives of favoritism and conspiracy. In 2018, ESPN was criticized for suggesting that Real Madrid had rigged a Champions League draw against Ajax, an accusation the club categorically denied. More recently, Real Madrid TV has fanned the flames by questioning the impartiality of referees like Sánchez Martínez, linking him to the Negreira scandal, where Barcelona was accused of improper payments to a former vice president of the Technical Committee of Referees. Although there is no concrete evidence to support Flick’s claims about the draw, his explosive statement reflects the frustration of a Barcelona team that, despite its resurgence under Flick, faces a more difficult path in the Champions League.

Real Madrid, meanwhile, remains focused on the pitch. Carlo Ancelotti, in a press conference on August 28, downplayed the accusations, stating: “Hansi is a great coach, but sometimes emotions get the better of us. We’ll see each other in the final, if we get there.” The Italian’s confidence is based on the solidity of his squad, with Bellingham as the emotional and tactical leader. However, Spanish press such as El Confidencial points out that Flick’s words could galvanize Barcelona, ​​who are looking to regain their European dominance after years of stumbling.

As the Champions League’s league phase approaches, the rivalry between the two clubs promises more tense episodes. For now, Bellingham has won this verbal battle, but the real verdict will come on the pitch, where Real Madrid must prove that their “luck” in the draw doesn’t determine their destiny