Rival-camp praise does not usually arrive before an El Clasico. Guti’s did.
The former Real Madrid midfielder, better known as Guti, told the Catalan daily SPORT that the 19-year-old Barcelona forward is operating at a level only a handful of footballers reach.
“He’s one of Barça’s most decisive players and also one of the most important players in the world,” Guti said to SPORT.
Despite his Real Madrid allegiance, Guti added that Yamal is a “fantastic player” who would be a Ballon d’Or winner “in the coming years” if he keeps playing at this level.
Read also: Former Scotland international enters not guilty plea to abuse charges spanning 14 years
Ballon d’Or ceremony on Monday
The 2026 Ballon d’Or will be presented on Monday 26 October at the London Palladium Theatre, with the ceremony starting at 20:00 GMT. UEFA says the choice of London pays tribute to the award’s inaugural winner, England’s Stanley Matthews.
Yamal is on the 30-man men’s shortlist alongside holder Ousmane Dembélé, record eight-time winner Lionel Messi, 2024 winner Rodri, Kylian Mbappé and Harry Kane, among others.
Mourinho and a Camp Nou still half-rebuilt
José Mourinho’s Real Madrid travel to a Camp Nou operating on reduced capacity while the stadium’s third tier is still being rebuilt. The LaLiga fixture kicks off at 9.00pm CEST on Sunday 25 October.
Real Madrid will be without Vinícius Júnior, serving a four-match domestic ban handed down after his red card against Villarreal, when VAR spotted him pulling an opponent’s hair in the build-up to a goal that was then disallowed, according to The False 9. Barcelona expect to be without Jules Koundé, who already sat out the Champions League trip to Paris Saint-Germain with an ankle problem.
Read also: Brighton reach decision on Hurzeler exit as Man United’s manager hunt intensifies
Spain’s state commission on violence in sport has designated the match a high-risk fixture, triggering reinforced policing before, during and after kick-off.
The warning to his old club
Guti told SPORT he sees the game as a 4-2 Real Madrid win, a bold tip against a Barcelona side that leads LaLiga. Even so, he warned Mourinho’s staff against building a game plan around containing Yamal alone, name-checking Fermín López, Rodri and Raphinha as Barcelona players equally capable of deciding the night.
The return leg at the Santiago Bernabéu is scheduled for matchday 35, in early May 2027.
Read also: Michael Carrick makes damning Manchester United admission as sack pressure mounts
