Barcelona receive major El Clasico boost as key Real Madrid player ruled out with injury | OneFootball

Barcelona will almost certainly go into the first El Clasico of the season as favourites, given their spectacular start to the 2026-27 campaign. Their chances of victory at the Spotify Camp Nou on the 25th of October have now been handed an extra boost with the news that Real Madrid will be without one of their star players.

Federico Valverde, who is Real Madrid’s captain, suffered an ankle injury during the weekend defeat to Atletico Madrid, and it’s since been confirmed that he’s suffered a grade 3 sprain. As per Sport (via Siempre Madrid), this will keep him out of action for at least two months, meaning he will not be available for El Clasico.

Barcelona will hope to avoid own injury woes before El Clasico

Valverde’s absence is definitely good news for Barcelona, given that he is one of Real Madrid’s best players – even if he’s had a poor start to the 2026-27 season. The club’s supporters can revel in the fact that Los Blancos will be without a star performer for El Clasico, although those in Can Barca will hope to avoid their own injury issues in the lead-up to next month’s match.

Generally, Barcelona have had much more luck with injuries so far this season compared to the previous two under Flick’s tutelage. When they have had players ruled out, the problems have only been minor, such as with starting goalkeeper Joan Garcia, who will be back after the international break after only missing the weekend victory over Sevilla.

Before Real Madrid come to town, Barcelona have four matches: Getafe (home), Galatasaray, Real Betis and Paris Saint-Germain (all away). Flick will only be focused on what is right in front of him, and his players will be the case – although they will hope to keep themselves fit for El Clasico.