Cristiano Ronaldo, the Portuguese star joined the Saudi Pro League side in January, signing a two-and-a-half year deal worth £173million-per-year.
Ronaldo has netted 12 times in 12 league games since his move to the Middle East and despite receiving a hero's welcome, Rivaldo believes the 38-year-old could be unhappy in his new surroundings.
The former Manchester United and Real Madrid forward has had to adjust to a different way of life but the Brazil legend would like to see Cristiano Ronaldo return to Real Madrid.
"I understand that sometimes the players are fooled by the big contract they sign in Saudi Arabia but then life there is more closed and football is not always as easy as expected," Rivaldo told Mundo Deportivo.
"So, you may be going through a phase of some disappointment and even reflection. If the money you're getting makes up for the not-so-happy life you're living right now.
"It would be good for him and for football to see Cristiano Ronaldo return to Real Madrid to finish his career.
"Of course, the fans have to understand that they cannot demand the same from him as when he was 25 or 26 years old, but he can still help the club in more conquests".
Reports emerged last week that Real Madrid were preparing to offer Ronaldo a return to the club in an ambassadorial role.
Real Madrid players Toni Kroos, Dani Carvajal, Luka Modric and Nacho have equalled Paco Gento's record for most Champions League titles as a player. All of them have won six European Cup/Champions League titles.
The Champions League has always been a huge honour for any team. Teams like Real Madrid have won the trophy as many as 15 times while AC Milan, FC Barcelona, Ajax and Bayern Munich have won found success in Europe's biggest club competition.
As a result, the players from such elite teams as Real Madrid, Barcelona, Ajax, and AC Milan dominate the charts of players with the most Champions League titles.
Players who have won the most Champions League titles
Paco Gento was the first player to win six European Cup/Champions League titles as a player.
Iconic Real Madrid left-winger Paco Gento used to hold the record for the most Champions League titles by a player. He has won six trophies in his 18 years at the Santiago Bernabeu.
However, Real Madrid legends Toni Kroos, Dani Carvajal, Luka Modric andNacho have equalled his record and became the only players to win six Champions League titles in the UCL era.
Former Real Madrid, Juventus and Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo is tied up at 5 UCL titles with players like Paolo Maldini, Alessandro Costacurta and Larence Seedorf as well as other Real Madrid giants in Hector Rial and Marquitos, Lucas Vázquez, Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema and a few others.
Luka Modric to Depart Real Madrid After Club World Cup, Leaving Legacy as Club Legend
Over his 13 seasons at Real Madrid, Luka Modric won an unparalleled 28 titles, including 6 European Cups, 6 Club World Cups, 5 European Super Cups, 4 LaLiga titles, 2 Copas del Rey, and 5 Spanish Super Cups.
Real Madrid CF announced that their captain, Luka Modric, will conclude his illustrious tenure with the club following the Club World Cup, set to begin on June 18 in the United States. The Croatian midfielder, widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the club’s history, will bid farewell after an extraordinary 13-year journey.
Since joining Real Madrid in 2012, Modric has been a cornerstone of one of the most triumphant eras in the club’s storied history.
Over his 13 seasons, he amassed an unparalleled 28 titles, including 6 European Cups, 6 Club World Cups, 5 European Super Cups, 4 LaLiga titles, 2 Copas del Rey, and 5 Spanish Super Cups.
His trophy cabinet makes him the player with the most titles in Real Madrid’s 123-year history, a record shared by only five players in football history who have won six European Cups.
Modric’s individual accolades are equally remarkable. In 2018, he claimed the Ballon d’Or, FIFA The Best Men’s Player, and UEFA Men’s Player of the Year awards.
He has been named to the FIFA FIFPro World XI six times and was recognised as the Champions League Best Midfielder twice. On the pitch for Real Madrid, Modric made 590 appearances, scoring 43 goals, and earned a Golden Ball and Silver Ball at the Club World Cup.
Internationally, Modric is Croatia’s record holder for appearances with 186 caps. His leadership guided Croatia to a runner-up finish at the 2018 World Cup, where he won the Golden Ball, and a third-place finish in 2022, earning the Bronze Ball.
Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez praised Modric’s impact, stating, “Luka Modric will forever remain in the hearts of all madridistas as a unique and exemplary footballer who has always embodied the values of Real Madrid. His football has captured the imagination of Madridismo and fans all over the world. His legacy will live on forever.”
Real Madrid have won 106 El-Clasico matches, while Barcelona have won 103 times, excluding the exhibition games where Barcelona has dominated the Los Blancos.
El Clasico refers to a match between two of Spain's biggest teams, FC Barcelona and Real Madrid. The rivalry goes beyond the football field as Madrid, the capital of Spain and Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia's autonomous community, have shared their fair share of political tension over the years.
Initially, the term was only used for the matches in the domestic Spanish championship, La Liga. Over the years, however, it's been globally recognised for every single meeting, such as in the UEFA Champions League or even domestic cup competitions like the Copa del Rey and Supercopa de España.
With both teams boasting big budgets and reputations that appeal to world-class performers across the planet, their respective ranks have been loaded with match-winners over the years.
Here we have for you a breakdown of the games the two giants have played!
Competition
Matches
RMA Wins
BAR Wins
Draws
RMA Goals
BAR Goals
La Liga
189
79
75
35
304
305
Copa de la Coronación
1
0
1
0
1
3
Copa del Rey
39
13
18
8
72
74
Copa de la Liga
6
0
2
4
8
13
Supercopa de España
18
10
6
2
40
29
UEFA Champions League
8
3
2
3
13
10
All competitions
258
106
103
51
440
431
Exhibition games
43
6
25
12
56
106
Most Appearances in El-Clasico
Sergio Busquets has played the most number of El-Clasico matches.
Former Barcelona captain Sergio Busquets has played 48 El-Clasico games, the most in the rivalry's history. Lionel Messi and Sergio Raoms follow him in the list with 45 El-Clasico games.
Apps
Player
Club
48
Sergio Busquets
Barcelona
45
Lionel Messi
Barcelona
Sergio Ramos
Real Madrid
43
Karim Benzema
Real Madrid
42
Paco Gento
Real Madrid
Manuel Sanchís
Real Madrid
Xavi
Barcelona
40
Gerard Piqué
Barcelona
Most goals in El-Clasico
Former FC Barcelona forward Lionel Messi has scored the most goals in El-Clasico. Since making his first Clasico appearance in 2005, the Argentine legend has played a joint-record 45 matches against Madrid, scoring 26 goals. This includes two hat-tricks in 2007 and 2014.
Former Real Madrid forwards Alfredo Di Stefano and Cristiano Ronaldo share the second spot with 18 goals each.
El Clasico is considered as the greatest football rivalries, between Barcelona and Real Madrid. Here is the list of the top 10 greatest El Clasico matches ever played.
Zamorano celebrating his goal in the 1995 El Clasico. Image | TheHardTackle
The Real Madrid vs. Barcelona match on January 7, 1995, at the Santiago Bernabeu was unforgettable. Zamorano netted a hat-trick, leading Real Madrid to a commanding 5-0 victory in this LaLiga clash. It was one of the most one-sided El Clasico matches ever, with the home team fully dominating Barcelona.
The match gave Real Madrid an edge in the title race for La Liga.
9. Real Madrid 2-1 FC Barcelona, 2014
Gareth Bale(right) celebrating his 85th minute winner against Barcelona in the 2014 El Clasico. Image | Sky Sports
The Mestalla Stadium in Valencia, Spain, hosted the 2014 Copa Del Rey final between Real Madrid and Barcelona on April 16. The match seemed headed for extra time, but a brilliant 85th-minute goal from Gareth Balesecured the victory for Real Madrid. It marked their 19th Copa del Rey title.
8. FC Barcelona 5-0 Real Madrid, 2010
Xavi Hernandez after scoring the first goal of the night in the 2010 El Clasico. Image | CNN
After dominating El Clasico the previous season, Barcelona, led by coach Pep Guardiola, continued their strong form in 2009-10. Real Madrid had spent big to rebuild their "Galactico Era," bringing in stars like Karim Benzema, Mesut Ozil, and Cristiano Ronaldo.
But Madrid’s firepower wasn’t enough. Barcelona crushed them 5-0 at the Camp Nou, with David Villa scoring twice. Messi didn’t score but played a big role in most of the goals.
Lionel Messi celebrating his hattrick in the 2007 El Clasico. Image | 90MIN
This LaLiga match between Barcelona and Real Madrid took place at Camp Nou on March 10, 2007, and ended in an exciting 3-3 draw. Both teams played their hearts out, making it one of the greatest El Clasico matches in recent years.
Messi scored a hat-trick, whileVan Nistelrooy scored twice andRamos added one for Madrid. A fierce, high-scoring clash that highlighted both teams' firepower.
6. Real Madrid 4-2 FC Barcelona, 2005
Raul Gonzalez celebrating his goal in the 2005 El Clasico. Image | Squawka
The early 2000s saw Real Madrid stacked with stars like Zidane, Roberto Carlos, Beckham, and Ronaldo Nazario. Despite Barcelona boasting talents like Ronaldinho, Eto'o, and Xavi, Madrid outclassed them with a 4-2 win—Zidane and Ronaldo struck early, while Raul and Owen sealed it in the second half.
5. Real Madrid 3-1 FC Barcelona, 1960
Alfredo Di Stefano trying to score a goal in the 1960 El Clasico. Image | Alamy
Real Madrid’s clash with Barcelona in the 1960 European Cup Semifinal is seen as a key moment in El Clasico history. Madrid won 3-1 and reached the final. Di Stefano and Ferenc Puskas found the net for Real Madrid, sealing their victory in the semifinal against Barcelona.
The match showed the strong rivalry and attacking power of both teams. It's still remembered today as one of the greatest El Clasico matches and a major turning point in their history.
4. FC Barcelona 4-0 Real Madrid, 2015
Luis Suarez(centre) celebrating his goal in the 2015 El Clasico. Image | FC Barcelona
During the peak of the MSN era at Barcelona, the team looked unstoppable in Spain. But for the first El Clasico of the season, Messi was out with an injury. Surprisingly, Cristiano Ronaldo didn’t make much impact, while Luis Suárez and Neymar stepped up. They led Barcelona to a dominant 4-0 win over Real Madrid at the Bernabeu.
With both teams playing attacking football and creating plenty of chances, this was the greatest El Clasico match of the 1980s. Butragueno gave Real Madrid the lead, but Gary Lineker put Barcelona ahead. Goals from Schuster and Michel made it 3-1 for Madrid. Julio Salinas gave Barca hope, but a late goal from Hugo Sanchez sealed the win for Real Madrid.
2. FC Barcelona 3-2 Real Madrid, 2011
Cesc Fabregas(left) celebrating his assist to Lionel Messi(right) in the 2011 El Clasico. Image | TheNewYorkTimes
One of the most intense and dramatic El Clasicos happened in 2011 during the Supercopa de Espana. The first leg ended in a 2-2 draw at the Bernabeu, but the second leg had everything—goals, fouls, and lots of drama.
Iniesta put Barcelona ahead, Ronaldo equalised, and Messi sealed it with two goals, including a late 88th-minute winner. The match turned chaotic after a foul on Fabregas sparked a brawl, leading to four red cards and Mourinho infamously poking Vilanova in the eye.
1. FC Barcelona 3-2 Real Madrid, 2017
Debatably the greatest El Clasico match of the modern era, took place in the 2016-17 LaLiga season. Real Madrid was leading the league and hoping to extend their lead, while Barcelona needed a win to stay in the title race.
What made this match unforgettable happened in the final moments. The ball was passed to Messi just outside the Real Madrid penalty area. Instead of taking a wild shot, Messi calmly placed the ball into the bottom corner, securing a crucial victory for Barcelona at their biggest rivals' home.
Hello and welcome to another LIVE coverage of Sportz Point. This is Koushik Biswas, with the Copa del Rey 2025 Final LIVE updates for you.
Tonight, we will have one of the biggest games of World football as FC Barcelona take on Real Madrid in an El Clásico clash for the Copa del Rey title. Barcelona, who are leading the race for the La Liga title, would hope to win their second trophy of the season and be in contention for another Treble.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid, who are second in the La Liga and have been knocked out of the Champions League, would like to bring glory to the club as well.
Hence, we have an exciting game in our hands. So, sit back and relax as we bring you all the buildup stories, team news, stats and LIVE updates of the FC Barcelona vs Real Madrid El-Clasico match.
The referee has changed his decision on the penalty and booked Raphinha for diving. Scenes!
Apr 26, 2025, 10:01 PM
90+8' | VAR Check is going
A VAR check is going on to check whether there was enough from Asencio to give it a penalty.
Apr 26, 2025, 9:59 PM
90+6' | Penalty for Barcelona
With only 1 minute left of the regulation time, Asencio fouled Raphinha inside the box. It is a clear penalty for Barcelona.
Apr 26, 2025, 9:57 PM
90+4' Yellow card
Yellow card for Fermin for pulling Modric's shirt.
Apr 26, 2025, 9:57 PM
90+3' | Interception from Cubarsi
Vital interception from Cubarsi again as he blocked a through pass from the right aimed for Mbappe.
Apr 26, 2025, 9:54 PM
90+1' | Yellow card
Yellow card for Modric for a bad foul on Gavi.
Apr 26, 2025, 9:54 PM
6 minutes added
6 minutes of injury time added.
Apr 26, 2025, 9:52 PM
89' | Change for Real Madrid
In: Diaz
Out: Vinicius
Apr 26, 2025, 9:51 PM
85' | Double change
In: Gavi, Araujo
Out: FDJ, Martin
Apr 26, 2025, 9:48 PM
84' | Ferrraaaaaannnnnnn | FCB 2-2 RMA
Out of nowhere, Ferran Torres does the job for Barcelona.
His sixth goal of the tournament this season.
Lamine Yamal with a top-class assist. His lobbed ball found Ferran making a run inside the box. He then defeated an incoming Courtois to score the equaliser.
FCB 2-2 RMA
Apr 26, 2025, 9:45 PM
82' | Save from Courtois
Great save from the Belgian. Lamine Yamal's curling shot was going inside for sure. But Courtois dived to his left to make the save.
Apr 26, 2025, 9:41 PM
77' | Gooooaaallllllllll | FCB 1-2 RMA
A third consecutive corner for Real Madrid and an inswinging delivery from Guler helped Tchouaméni jump in the air to send the ball inside the goal.
Real Madrid take the lead.
FCB 1-2 RMA
Apr 26, 2025, 9:40 PM
76' | Back-to-back corners for Real
Barcelona are under huge pressure.
Apr 26, 2025, 9:38 PM
74' | Inigo with an interception
Surely Vinicius and Mbappe are outpacing the Barcelona defenders.
Inigo, after losing the ball, came running to stop a pass from Vinicius from inside the box.
Apr 26, 2025, 9:34 PM
70' | Mbbbbaaaaaappeeeeeeeeeee | FCB 1-1 RMA
Kylian Mbappe does what he has done for years!
Free-kick from just outside the box and he went through the wall to beat Szczęsny.
That was a very weak wall, and there was space in between. But Real Madrid and Mbappe did not mind it.
RCB 1-1 RMA.
Apr 26, 2025, 9:32 PM
68' | Yellow card
Ouuuuuu! This could be red as well.
De Jong pulls down Mbappe from a goal-scoring opportunity. Was it enough for a red? The referee does not think so.
Free-kick for Real Madrid.
Apr 26, 2025, 9:30 PM
Meantime in Saudi
Cristiano Ronaldo scores for Al Nassr, reaches 934 career goals…
Barcelona have dominated Real Madrid in the first 45 minutes of the match.
Pedri's stunning goal gave Barcelona the lead. Real Madrid tried to put pressure on the referee, and we could have seen a few more yellow cards, other than that.
We have seen Kylian Mbappe warming up just before the half-time. Surely, he will come off the bench in the second half.
FC Barcelona 1-0 Real Madrid
Apr 26, 2025, 8:48 PM
45+2' | Offside
A huge chance for Vinicius to level the score.
Jude with the great ball for the Brazilian. But he was a tad offside.
Inigo had caught him inside the box. However, the offside ruled everything out.
Apr 26, 2025, 8:46 PM
5 minutes added
5 minutes of injury time added.
Apr 26, 2025, 8:45 PM
44' | Chance for Barcelona
Dani Olmo's curling corner missed everyone and hit the far post. It could have gone into the goal easily.
Apr 26, 2025, 8:43 PM
42' | Rudiger fouls Olmo
Rudiger fouls Olmo again. Barcelona ask for a yellow card, not given.
Free-kick from a dangerous position for Barcelona.
Apr 26, 2025, 8:42 PM
41' | Lamine defending!
Good from the youngster, who came running to win the ball back from Garcia. He tells the Barcelona fans to cheer more.
Excellent from Cubarsi, who came running from behind to block an attempted pass from Vinicius.
Apr 26, 2025, 8:27 PM
25' | Yellow card
Yellow card for Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti for dissent.
Apr 26, 2025, 8:25 PM
23' | Block from Kounde
Real Madrid, with their first attack of the match, had Fran Garcia on the left of the box, went for a shot.
Kounde came in running to make a great block.
Apr 26, 2025, 8:22 PM
21' | Courtios makes the save
Raphinha with a curling free-kick and Kounde's header was on target.
Courtois had to jump high to make a decent save.
Apr 26, 2025, 8:20 PM
19' | Lamine misses the target
Lamine Yamal from the left of the box, tried a shot with his left foot.
The shot along the ground missed the far post by a whisker.
Apr 26, 2025, 8:18 PM
16' | Chance for Ferran
Brilliant from Olmo to win the ball in the half and send a long ball for Raphinha to make a run.
Ferran Torres nearly met Raphinha's cross.
A call for a penalty was shouted, but the VAR denied it.
No penalty was given for Barcelona
Apr 26, 2025, 8:16 PM
14' | Madrid getting a lots of men in the box
Barcelona are looking to play a few one-two inside the box before making the final move.
But Real Madrid have lots of men inside the box to tackle that.
Apr 26, 2025, 8:14 PM
13' | Lamine nutmegs Rudier
The teenager pipped over Garcia to enter the final third and then nutmegged Rudiger to win the corner for Barcelona.
Apr 26, 2025, 8:12 PM
11' | Forced change for Real Madrid
Fran Garcia replaces injured Mendy. Such a shame for a player like him. He was coming from an injury, and Real Madrid lost their left back early in the game.
Apr 26, 2025, 8:10 PM
9' | Mendy is down
Mendy is not looking good. Looks like he will be changed.
He had a tussle with Kounde, and he is down on the ground.
Apr 26, 2025, 8:07 PM
5' | Barcelona keeping the high line
Barcelona keeping the high line and looking for chances at the front.
Raphinha and Ferran had two good chances, but without Lewandowski, they need a man at the top to show them the path.
Apr 26, 2025, 8:04 PM
3' | Chance for Barcelona
Ferran Torres from the close range made a good cutback, but Tchouaméni was there to intercept.
Apr 26, 2025, 8:03 PM
1' | Raphinha could have gone further
FC Barcelona had the early chance of making a good run on the left. But he decided to send a pass across the turf.
Rudiger cleared that out.
Apr 26, 2025, 8:01 PM
Kick-off!
Barcelona start the match in their maroon and blue.
Subs: Marc-André ter Stegen, Iñaki Peña, Ronald Araújo, Andreas Christensen, Eric García, Hector Fort, Gavi, Pablo Torre, Fermín López, Ansu Fati, Pau Víctor.
Apr 26, 2025, 6:39 PM
Lineups | Real Madrid
Starting XI: Courtois, L. Vázquez, R. Asencio, A. Rüdiger, F. Mendy, F. Valverde, A. Tchouaméni, D. Ceballos, J. Bellingham, Vinícius Jr., Rodrygo.
Subs: Andriy Lunin, Fran Gonzalez, David Alaba, Jesús Vallejo, Fran García, Luka Modrić, Arda Güler, Brahim Díaz, Kylian Mbappé, Endrick.
Goalkeepers: Courtois, Lunin and Fran González. Defenders: Alaba, Lucas V., Vallejo, Fran García, Rüdiger, Mendy and Asencio. Midfielders: Bellingham, Valverde, Modrić, Tchouameni, Arda Güler and Ceballos. Forwards: Vini Jr., Mbappé, Rodrygo, Endrick and Brahim.
Apr 26, 2025, 2:24 PM
Barcelona squad for the match
Marc-André ter Stegen
Pau Cubarsí
Ronald Araujo
Iñigo Martínez
Gavi
Ferran Torres
Pedri
Ansu Fati
Raphinha
Iñaki Peña
Pablo Torre
Andreas Christensen
Fermín López
Pau Víctor
Lamine Yamal
Dani Olmo
Frenkie de Jong
Jules Koundé
Eric García
Wojciech Szczęsny
Héctor Fort
Gerard Martín
Apr 26, 2025, 2:24 PM
Real Madrid threatened to opt out of the final
Real Madrid first released a statement that they might think of opting out of the final after the statement of the referee, Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea. Bengoetxea was brought to tears in a press conference after Real Madrid TV released a video highlighting the mistakes of the referee, which brought him insults and trolls from many sections of fans.
Real Madrid wanted the Federation to change the referee and did not train or visit the pre-match rituals as well.
However, the Federation stuck to their decision and did not change the officials of the match. Later, Real Madrid stated they want to go ahead with the final.
Football fans from India can watch the Copa del Rey 2025 final between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid on the Fan Code App and Website with a paid subscription. Unfortunately, there are no television broadcast for this match.
Apr 26, 2025, 2:13 PM
Match Details
Match: FC Barcelona vs Real Madrid, Copa del Rey 2025 final
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