We are less than a week out from the opening day of the new season in La Liga and Real Madrid are the team to beat more than ever before after the acquisition of Kylian Mbappe. Barcelona are competing as best they can with the signing of Dani Olmo from RB Leipzig but there are big differences between last campaign’s Spanish and European champions and the supposedly cash-strapped Catalan giants. That said, one of the hottest properties on this summer’s transfer market is Athletic Club’s Nico Williams and Barca have been linked with the Spain international incessantly after his starring role at UEFA Euro 2024 alongside new superstar Lamine Yamal. Williams appears committed to staying at Athletic, but until the transfer window closes at the end of the month, you just never know.
Hansi Flick’s men do not quite match up to Carlo Ancelotti’s Blancos just yet and that looks likely to be reflected in how the pair fare across the same competitions that they will be competing in.
This is how Real and Barca’s respective terms could play out in 2024-25.
Real Madrid
- Predicted trophy haul: La Liga, Copa del Rey and Spanish Super Cup.
- Predicted key man: Jude Bellingham
- Predicted top scorer: Kylian Mbappe (25-30 goals)
- Predicted top youngster: Endrick
Make no mistake about it: the current Spanish and European titleholders are the team to beat in every single competition this coming season. Not only have they added Mbappe to their squad, but they have gotten stronger despite Toni Kroos’ retirement with Thibaut Courtois, Eder Militao and David Alaba all back like new signings for Ancelotti to utilize after lengthy injuries. Not to mention another actual purchase in Brazilian wonderkid Endrick to go with world-class stars like Vini Jr. and Bellingham who could also be Ballon d’Or winners by the end of this year.
As to how they will fare this coming year, it is tempting to suggest that they will sweep all before them once again and be crowned domestic and European kings. However, the reality is that it might take longer for Mbappe and his superstar teammates to gel and they are unlikely to defend their UEFA Champions League title for that reason — especially given the new European format. In Spain, it is a different conversation entirely with Real well and truly above everyone else — including Barca — and more than capable of winning every single prize going.
Barcelona
- Predicted trophy haul: None.
- Predicted key man: Lamine Yamal
- Predicted top scorer: Dani Olmo (15-20 goals)
- Predicted youngster: Pau Cubarsi
With Hansi Flick coming in to replace Xavi, this Barca have a temporary feel with financial issues still rife and aging players potentially ready to be moved on. The Blaugrana’s saving grace, though, is their young talents with Yamal, Cubarsi, Pedri, Gavi and Fermin Lopez all coming through La Masia as well as Olmo who left and is now back having developed in Croatia with Dinamo Zagreb and then in Germany with RB Leipzig. That talent will be needed for the continued rebuild of the club but there is no guarantee that it is ready to dominate on all fronts until all of those players have matured and grown used to the mega expectations around Camp Nou.
In terms of silverware, it is difficult to see where success is going to come from for Barca with Real set to dominate the Spanish landscape once again. El Clasico could be decisive in terms of determining who comes out on top when they play each other but Real seem primed to dominate domestically. Perhaps a realistic aim for Flick and his players would be a domestic cup triumph ahead of Real but the Champions League is something that this squad will need to build towards once more key pieces have been assembled. There is no shame in a transitional season as these things take time to come together — especially with as much expectation as there is in Barcelona — and this next campaign is all about making the right moves to ensure that the core of this current group stays together. If that happens and a key element like Olmo is added to the mix, then the future could be very interesting for Barca.
