Clasico Preview: Raul backs Yamal as Barca gain momentum

Clasico Spotlight: Raul's Praise and a Big Question

Raúl González Blanco, Real Madrid legend, has praised Barcelona's rising star Lamine Yamal, hailing his exceptional form at such a young age. In press statements, he noted that Yamal is breaking barriers and doing things on the pitch that very few have achieved at his age. He stressed that the youngster must keep building on what he is doing now to cement his status.

Raul added that Yamal could be a crucial player for Barcelona and for Spain in the near future.

Clasico is always special, and it does not matter how you arrive at it; it remains a unique test for any player, Raul said as reported by Mundo Deportivo. He also suggested Real Madrid, playing at home, may be the favorite, but Barca remains a superb team as well.

Barca's Boost and Madrid's Questions

In the buildup to the Clasico at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday, Rafinha returned to team training for a second consecutive session, boosting Barca's hopes of medical clearance to play. The absence of Frenkie de Jong in training raised some concerns, but Mundo Deportivo reported it does not look serious and could be a minor issue.

The rest of Barca's available players trained together, including Ferran Torres who has also recovered from his injury. Rafinha is expected to be ready, while Dani Olmo, Gavi, Juan Garcia, and Ter Stegen are set to miss due to injury.

On the other hand, Ter Stegen's future is a topic of discussion. After back surgery, Barca had listed him as a departure option as new keeper Joan Garcia arrived, but injuries gave him another chance. German sources, Sky Sport Germany, suggested a winter move or loan could be possible as Ter Stegen seeks more minutes ahead of World Cup 2026 with Germany.

La Liga Standings and Europe

Barcelona sit second in La Liga with 22 points from nine matches, including seven wins, one draw and one defeat, with 24 goals scored and 10 conceded. Real Madrid lead with 24 points from eight wins and one defeat, scoring 20 and conceding 9. In Europe, Barca are riding high after a dominant 6-1 victory over Olympiakos in the Champions League. With the return of key players and passionate support, Barca head into the Clasico in high spirits, while Madrid looks to capitalize on home advantage to maintain the top spot. The clash is among the most anticipated of the season.

The global audience is watching this rivalry as it continues to write its history and remind us why football can be louder than a stadium full of fans.

Punchline 1: If the Clasico needed a plot twist, Raul's words just wrote the finale; spoiler: Barca lead, Madrid chase, and the Bernabeu lights up like a Christmas tree.

Punchline 2: Barca's season could hinge on Rafinha's fitness, Madrid's on-pitch swagger on defense; either way, someone is getting a standing ovation or a strong espresso.