Barcelona legend explains why the club still hold the edge over Real Madrid | OneFootball

Former FC Barcelona defender Gerard Pique believes the Blaugrana remain the team to beat in Spain despite Real Madrid’s summer spending and renewed ambitions ahead of the new season.

Speaking during the Kings League Club World Cup in Milan, Pique backed Hansi Flick’s side to begin the campaign as favourites, arguing that continuity gives Barcelona an important advantage over their biggest rivals.

As quoted by SPORT, the former defender was asked whether Real Madrid’s summer reinforcements had changed the balance of power. His answer left little room for doubt.

He said:

“I think Barcelona, today and at the start of the league season, are still superior to Real Madrid.”

He also believes the club’s back-to-back La Liga titles have earned Flick’s side that status. He continued:

“The fact we’ve won the last two league titles gives you a status and credibility to start as favourites. Then you have to prove it.”

Pique highlighted another key factor that he believes separates Barcelona from their biggest rivals: continuity. He explained:

“The players and the team are already adapted. The fact there is stability, that Flick is in his third year and that the players have fully absorbed the system and style of play means they start with an advantage.”

Stability could be Barcelona’s biggest weapon

Pique’s comments reflect what many Barcelona supporters have seen over the past two seasons. While Real Madrid continue to invest heavily in new signings, Barca have focused on developing a settled squad with a clear footballing identity.

That continuity could prove invaluable. Flick no longer needs to build his ideas from scratch, while the understanding between key players such as Lamine Yamal, Pedri, Gavi and the rest of the core continues to grow.

Even so, Pique’s argument is based less on rivalry than on momentum. Barcelona have already established a winning formula under Flick, and until another team takes the crown away, there is every reason for the champions to believe they remain the benchmark in Spanish football.