Towards the Classic Real Madrid vs Barcelona: Mbappe, Yamal, and the Ballon d'Or Battle

24/10/2025 07:45:00 TrophyTracker

The focusof the first "El Clasico" in the 2025-26 season is the battle between Kylian Mbappe and Lamine Yamal. For them, it is a race towards the 2026 Ballon d'Or.

1. Bernabeu is set for a night that could be remembered not just for the routine "El Clasico," but for a personal duel that is gradually rewriting contemporary football history. Kylian Mbappe – an experienced top-level competitor – confronts Lamine Yamal, who embodies the fluid and chaotic future of football. This is more than Real Madrid facing their rival Barcelona; it is a contest of Ballon d'Or ambitions.

Mbappe arrives at Bernabeu with his familiar label: deadly efficiency and cold numbers. In the 2025-26 season, he has been scoring steadily in La Liga. He has netted 10 goals (2 assists) in the first 9 rounds, a figure that few in Real Madrid’s history have reached.

He maintains a scoring rate close to one goal per game, a number that forces every European defense to regard Mbappe with a mix of respect and fear. Even though his record streak of 11 consecutive scoring games for Real Madrid and France was recently broken, "KL10’s" form remains a major threat to the reigning La Liga champions.

Conversely, Lamine Yamal has required little time to turn his fame into on-pitch influence. This season, despite battling metatarsal injuries that caused controversy between Barca and the Spanish national team, Yamal has demonstrated an impressive attacking record in both La Liga and the Champions League. He has scored 3 goals and assisted 5 times across these competitions.

2. Yamal’s playing style gives the impression that every Barcelona right-wing attack could become an explosive moment. The data does not lie: Lamine Yamal nearly touches the opponent’s goal each time he has the ball, with 1.72 goal-creating actions per 90 minutes.

The center of attention in “El Clasico” is Mbappe and Yamal

No one in Europe’s top 5 leagues matches this efficiency (followed by Dilane Bakwa [Nottingham] - 1.60; Harry Kane - 1.55; Serge Gnabry - 1.51; Nathan Tella [Leverkusen] - 1.43; Lamine Camara [Monaco] - 1.36; Mbappe - 1.26). This figure transforms him from a phenomenon into a fundamental part of the game.

What stands out is not just the numbers: it is the spirit of open rivalry that has formed. From the moment Yamal stepped onto the professional stage, he "did not see Mbappe as an idol, but as a peer competitor" (according to El Pais).

This is a statement of stance, framing this confrontation as a personal competition rather than merely a club rivalry. Therefore, every encounter between them carries extra drama: a dribble is a declaration, a goal is progress in their personal title race.

The Ballon d'Or is a vote decided both by goals and by narrative. Mbappe holds the advantage in experience and record: consecutive high-scoring seasons and the ambition to lead a Real Madrid constantly craving European glory. Yamal, still very young, offers a different story: freshness, speed, and media appeal – factors growing in weight as the voting is influenced by the "season’s narrative."

3. This weekend at Bernabeu can be seen as a trial: Real Madrid’s defensive system tests Yamal’s breakthroughs; Mbappe’s finishing ability and composure face Barca’s pressing foundation.

Yamal’s direct opponent is no longer the clumsy Fran Garcia from last season, but Alvaro Carreras – one of the most expensive defenders in Madrid’s history. On the other side, Barca’s defense has weakened after Inigo Martinez’s departure, with looser pressing and less effective offside traps. Hansi Flick admitted these shortcomings after the 2-1 win over Girona.

The Ballon d'Or is a game of consistency and moments. Mbappe brings consistency; Yamal brings moments and a rising story. What will Bernabeu decide? It’s too early to say, but it will mark the start of a series of "Clasico" matches that will be crucial for individual award races.

The moments of "El Clasico" will help shape the 2026 Ballon d'Or race.

Comment (0)