Barcelona forward’s involvement bringing a unique English flavor to first El Clasico of 2025-26 season | OneFootball

FC Barcelona and Real Madrid are facing off for the first time in the 2025-26 season today, and naturally, this is going to be one of the most exciting days for the followers of Spanish football in general, and for the fans of the two clubs in particular.

The historical nature of the tie makes every El Clasico a very intense affair, but one aspect that would make today’s match unique would be the involvement of English players on both sides. As Mundo Deportivo has noted, this would be the first time in the history of El Clasico that an English player would be facing his compatriot in this game.

For Barcelona, Marcus Rashford is set to take to the field on the right wing. Although Trent Alexadner-Arnold might not be able to return to the pitch so soon after having just recovered from his injury to face him in this position, Rashford would still be able to greet Jude Bellingham when the two teams step on to the pitch.

Before the Manchester United loanee, the only Englishman to don a Blaugrana jersey has been Gary Lineker. However, during his three year stay at the Catalan club, 1986-89, no English players played for the Merengues.

Laurie Cunningham had left the capital club in 1983, while Steve McManaman (1999-2003), David Beckham (2003-07), Jonathan Woodgate (2004-06) and Michael Owen (2004-05) all joined Real Madrid after Lineker’s departure from Barcelona.

One aspect of this English flavor to this El Clasico is that the match would also be broadcast live in England, on Premier Sports. This would have been impossible if the match had been scheduled for Saturday, as the afternoon spot on this day is protected to encourage home stadium attendance in England.