Barcelona superstar determined to play a part in El Clasico vs Real M…

On Sunday night, FC Barcelona host arch-rivals Real Madrid in the second La Liga El Clasico of the season. solvita.blog

It could be a historic occasion as Barça need only one point from the game to be crowned the champions of Spain for the second consecutive season. Doing so against Los Blancos will make the triumph even sweeter.

Raphinha determined to feature in Clasico

No player wants to miss a Clasico, but if there is one who is especially motivated for this match, it is Raphinha, reports MARCA.

The Brazilian international received medical clearance last week after recovering from a hamstring injury. Although he did not play any minutes against Osasuna, he is confident of having an opportunity on Sunday.

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Raphinha is a key player for Hansi Flick. His intensity, competitive character and commitment make him an almost indispensable figure, particularly in a match such as the Clasico.

On this occasion, with La Liga at stake, the tension and significance are even greater. As such, the Brazilian is determined to be involved and to once again demonstrate his impact against Real Madrid.

Raphinha’s exceptional numbers vs Real Madrid

Raphinha thrives against Real Madrid. (Photo by Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images)

Raphinha has a particularly strong record against Real Madrid. Indeed, they are the opponent he has faced the most times in his career (12), the one against whom he has scored the most goals (7) and, notably, the one he has defeated most often (8, level with Atletico Madrid).

The seven goals he has scored against Real Madrid, all playing for Barcelona, have come in his last five meetings with them, underlining his strong performances in these encounters.

During the 2024/25 season, Raphinha made his mark in the first La Liga Clasico, scoring in Barcelona’s 0-4 victory at the Bernabeu and also providing an assist.

He was again decisive in the Spanish Super Cup final in January 2025, scoring twice and providing another assist in a 2-5 win. Although he did not score in the Copa del Rey final, he played a key role in the second league meeting, scoring twice in a 4-3 victory.

In the current campaign, the Brazilian missed the league fixture in Madrid due to injury. However, he was fully fit for the Super Cup final and scored two of his team’s three goals and was named MVP, as he had been in the previous edition.

In summary, if Raphinha features in the upcoming Clasico, he is likely to be one of the key figures in the match. His record and confidence position him as one of Barcelona’s main attacking threats against Real Madrid.

Tension at Real Madrid is higher than ever, and it is being played out at Valdebebas. Following reports that Antonio Rudiger slapped teammatee Alvaro Carreras last month, a second incident occurred on Wednesday in training.

After a series of incidents between them, Rudiger reportedly slapped Carreras in the Real Madrid dressing room, something he later apologised for and organised a lunch with his teammates and their families by way of further apology. The Real Madrid left-back all but confirmed this was the case, but said the matter had been resolved on social media.

Aurelien Tchouameni and Fede Valverde the latest altercation

As reported by Marca, France midfielder and Uruguayan international Fede Valverde are the latest pair to be involved in a heated argument in training, coming close to a physical altercation. They say that after a particularly aggressive foul, the two went face-to-face, and after plenty of shoving, were separated. The two maintained their argument, and it continued into the dressing room afterwards.

Mbappe also had heated incident in training

Tchouameni and Valverde are not the only players to have been involved in a heated incident of late. Earlier in the week, it was reported that Mbappe had strong words for one of Alvaro Arbeloa’s coaching staff during an drill in training. Mbappe’s representatives responded in this case, calling it an ‘over-interpretation of elements’, but not denying that the incident occurred.

Four days to go until El Clasico

Real Madrid have the chance to spoil Barcelona’s title party on Sunday night at Camp Nou with a win, but given the low morale and team spirit, that looks increasingly difficult. What will be worrying for Real Madrid is that Mbappe, Rudiger, Tchouameni and Valverde are all regular starters and leaders in the dressing room, but it seems they are not setting the example they would like.

Indiana's football program is riding high after winning the national championship, but fans are learning about some of the behind-the-scenes moves that set the Hoosiers up for success.

USA TODAY Sports notes that mogul businessman Mark Cuban revealed that he provided financial backing for Indiana to go after Fernando Mendoza after he left Cal.

"(Indiana athletics director Scott Dolson was) like, 'we've got this quarterback that we really, really like that we think would be great,'" Cuban said in an interview with Front Office Sports. "'We just need a little bit more.' I'm like, 'How much is a little bit?' And so, he told me, and I'm like, 'OK, we're on a roll, I'll put up the money to get this quarterback.'"

"I'll put up the money and we can go get Fernando [Mendoza]."

Mark Cuban tells FOS that he provided the NIL money which allowed Indiana to sign the Heisman winning QB before the 2025 season. pic.twitter.com/BZAFOSt6ng

— Front Office Sports (@FOS) May 5, 2026

Cuban, an Indiana University graduate, did not disclose how much money he put up, but revealed that he knew Mendoza's brother Alberto because the latter would sit behind the Miami Heat bench with Cuban not far away.

Hoosiers fans might argue it's the best investment Cuban's ever made.

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This article originally appeared on College Sports Wire: Indiana Football: Mark Cuban helped Hoosiers land Fernando Mendoza

The training sessions have finished. The kits have been ironed. The managers have spoken. The countdown is on.

Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest have finished their preparations for their Europa League semi-final second leg encounter at Villa Park on Thursday night (20:00 BST).

Both clubs are looking to reach a major European final for the first time in over 40 years so, whichever way the result swings, it is sure to be a historic night in the Midlands.

Both managers rested first team players in the Premier League last weekend, with Unai Emery making seven changes against Tottenham and Vitor Pereira conjuring up eight changes against Chelsea.

Everything is pointing to both bosses fielding their best XIs, but both will naturally have to contend with some injury issues.

In Emery's news conference, he confirmed Amadou Onana will be absent after picking up a calf injury in the first leg last week. However, John McGinn will be back in contention after training normally following some hamstring tightness.

In Pereira's news conference, he said a late decision will be made on Morgan Gibbs-White's availability after picking up a head injury, which required stitches, last time out. However, Zach Abbott has been cleared to play following a different clash of heads. Murillo's return from a hamstring injury was also not fully ruled out.

So, now you know the team news, who would be the first names on your team sheet for what could be your club's biggest fixture of the season so far?

Tell us your pick and your reason here

According to Spanish newspaper Sport, Jose Mourinho has demanded the sacking of Italian fitness coach Antonio Pintus if he is to take the Real Madrid job.

epa11382233 Real Madrid fitness coach Antonio Pintus (C) and players during the training session of Madrid for the UEFA Champions League final in London, Britain, 31 May 2024. Real Madrid will face Borussia Dortmund on 01 June 2024 in the UEFA Champions League final. EPA-EFE/ANDY RAIN

There are multiple reports over the last few days that the players are irritated with Alvaro Arbeloa and are looking for a new tactician, but could look back for the return of Mourinho.

He had first taken the job when leaving Inter in the wake of their Treble triumph of 2010, where they won the Scudetto, Champions League and Coppa Italia.

Mourinho urges Real Madrid to sack Italian coach

TURIN, ITALY – JANUARY 21: Jose Mourinho, Head Coach of Benfica, looks on during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD7 match between Juventus and SL Benfica at Juventus Stadium on January 21, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)

In order to come back, it’s reported Mourinho has a list of demands that were set out during a video call with President Florentino Perez.

They included a request that Real Madrid fire Italian fitness coach Pintus, a 63-year-old who has had several different spells with the Merengues.

He first joined them from 2016 to 2019, then went to work with Antonio Conte at Inter from 2019-21.

There was a return to Real Madrid that summer, working as performance manager and fitness coach in various roles.

Pintus has also worked at Juventus, Chelsea, Sunderland, Olympique Marseille and other clubs.

It is not clear why Mourinho is so dead set against keeping the Italian as part of his coaching staff.

Among the other requests, the Special One also wants at least a two-year contract, for the club to appoint a formal spokesman (something he had already complained about with Roma), absolute independence on sporting decisions, and allowing players to seek a second medical opinion on injuries.