Barcelona defender Pau Cubarsi has handed his Cupra car to his father after his parents advised him not to drive a luxury vehicle.

Cubarsi is already regarded as one of the best players in his position in European football. The teenager recently won the Golden Boy award, which recognises the best young footballer in Europe.

Despite his growing profile, Cubarsi has chosen not to use the luxury car provided by Cupra, Barcelona’s automotive sponsor. Instead, he passed the vehicle on to his father.

“My parents said that I shouldn’t drive a luxury car,” Cubarsi said.

Barcelona’s next match is on 22 November, when they face Villarreal.

Ronald Araujo and Liverpool are moving closer to making the Uruguay international’s season-long loan permanent in 2027, with Barcelona no longer expected to have control over the defender’s future.

Araujo joined Andoni Iraola’s team from LaLiga champions Barcelona at the start of the 2026/27 season after falling down Hansi Flick’s defensive pecking order in Catalonia.

The move to Merseyside has helped revive the 27-year-old’s career after an injury-disrupted period. Iraola has also deployed him at right-back, while Jeremy Jacquet has partnered Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk in central defence.

Liverpool are prepared to activate the £47 million purchase clause included in the original loan agreement. However, Araujo has postponed discussions over his future until at least the start of 2027.

According to Spanish outlet Marca, Barcelona do not intend to bring Araujo back into their squad. That means any decision over a permanent transfer will rest with Liverpool and the player.

If Araujo agrees to the terms offered by Liverpool, Barcelona will be unable to block the deal and are not expected to attempt to do so. His departure would also give Flick the opportunity to sign another defender next summer.

Barcelona are considering bringing Rodri Hernandez back into the squad for the meeting with Deportivo on 29 November, after the midfielder’s recovery from a thigh injury progressed faster than initially expected.

According to AS, the Spain international’s rehabilitation is going well and the club’s medical staff are assessing whether he could return to action before the original timetable.

Rodri suffered an injury to the biceps femoris muscle in his right thigh during Barcelona’s Champions League match against Aston Villa on 3 November. He was initially expected to be unavailable for four to five weeks.

Barcelona now hope to include the midfielder in the squad against Deportivo, allowing him to regain match fitness and obtain playing time.

Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong has left the Netherlands squad early because of a fitness problem and will return to his club for further assessment.

The 29-year-old felt discomfort in his back during the Nations League match against Greece, which the Netherlands won 7-0. He was substituted at half-time.

Mundo Deportivo reports that Barcelona have also been informed of pain in De Jong’s groin area. The midfielder is expected to undergo a medical examination after returning to Catalonia.

Barcelona are hopeful De Jong will recover in time for their home La Liga fixture against Villarreal on 22 November.

De Jong has made only three appearances for Barcelona in La Liga this season.

Barcelona are keeping track of Club Brugge forward Nicolo Tresoldi as they assess attacking options for the future, according to football insider Ekrem Konur.

The 22-year-old German striker is being considered by the Catalan club as a potential long-term addition. However, Barcelona are not planning to make a move for Tresoldi during the January transfer window.

Their immediate priority is to strengthen their defence, rather than add to their attacking options.

Tresoldi is valued at 35 million euros by Transfermarkt and is under contract with Club Brugge until the end of June 2029.

He has made 11 appearances in the Belgian league this season, scoring eight goals and providing one assist.

Barcelona defender Eric Garcia believes new signing Anthony Gordon has the qualities to make a significant contribution to the team as he continues to settle at the club.

The England winger joined Barcelona from Newcastle last summer in a deal worth 80 million euros. Gordon, 25, signed a five-year contract with the Catalan club.

“He can give a lot to the team,” Garcia said when discussing Gordon’s adaptation to life at Barcelona.

Gordon has made 11 appearances in La Liga this season, scoring two goals and providing four assists.

Real Madrid winger Yan Diomande has the highest goal-conversion rate in the club’s squad, according to The Touchline.

The 20-year-old Ivorian is ahead of the team’s leading scorer, Kylian Mbappe, for the percentage of chances converted.

Diomande has made 12 appearances in the current Spanish league season, scoring three goals and providing two assists.

The winger joined Real Madrid last summer from German club RB Leipzig in a deal worth 125 million euros. He signed a long-term contract with the Spanish club running until the end of June 2033.

Real Madrid’s cautious, counter-attacking approach and Barcelona’s aggressive style are producing a striking contrast in the 2026/27 season, with each club following a very different tactical and squad-building path.

Barcelona, led by Hansi Flick, are continuing the club’s tradition of attacking football, while Real Madrid have moved towards a mid-block and rapid forward transitions under Jose Mourinho.

“I think we're talking about the best attack in Europe this season. On the other hand, there are still defensive problems,” said Flashscore data specialist Marek Kabat of Barcelona.

The Catalan side’s average expected goals (xG) per domestic league match is almost three, the highest figure in Europe and ahead of Bayern and PSG. Although Real Madrid won El Clasico, Barcelona lead the league by three points.

Madrid are adapting to having less possession. The team averaged 61% under Ancelotti and 64% under Xabi Alonso, compared with about 51.5% under Mourinho.

Kabat has also identified the volume of opposition attacks reaching Real Madrid’s defensive third as a potential concern.

“I can't imagine them coping with that in a match against PSG or similar teams,” he said.

Despite that, Mourinho’s system has delivered more success than expected so far.

“The question is whether a club like Real, with that level of quality and such a standing in world football, should develop in this direction over the long term. For now, though, the season is showing that Mourinho has been more successful with it than expected,” Kabat said.

Real Madrid’s mid-block and counter-attacking game has allowed them to create chances efficiently without dominating matches. Alongside Atletico, they have the lowest xG conceded per game.

Kabat also believes Mourinho has improved the psychological atmosphere within the squad.

“To me, it is obvious that things have improved in the dressing room. That is something Mourinho has always been good at - psychology, motivating players...” he said.

Barcelona generally start in a 4-3-3 formation but become a 3-2-5 when in possession, with high pressing central to their approach. Kabat says that intensity begins with the forward players and praised Raphinha for filling the centre-forward role.

Barcelona’s defence remains a strength, although opponents are generating counter-attacking opportunities worth 0.6 xG per game, up from 0.54 last season. Rodri has made the most interceptions and has impressed with his positioning, but Kabat believes further defensive reinforcement is needed.

“In the summer, they should have signed Alessandro Bastoni rather than Anthony Gordon,” he said.

Real Madrid most often use a 4-2-3-1, changing to a 4-4-2 or 4-4-1-1 without the ball. Federico Valverde’s role at right-back is particularly notable, with the central midfielder sometimes dropping alongside the centre-backs.

Real Madrid’s 2-1 victory at Camp Nou in the latest El Clasico was judged by Kabat to be closer than the scoreline suggested.

“Barcelona had 18 shots, but they were worth just 0.07 xG per shot, which is below their average. Real, meanwhile, had 10 shots in total, six of them from inside the box, and therefore with a high xG,” he said.

“Their greatest achievement was neutralising Barca's attack. I was surprised by just how successfully they managed it.”

With both squads built around young players, the rivalry promises to remain closely contested.

Chelsea have had an initial approach for Real Betis winger Jose Antonio Morante turned down, according to reports.

The 19-year-old has emerged as part of Manuel Pellegrini’s first-team plans since the start of 2027. He has made three appearances for the Spanish club this season and scored his first LaLiga goal.

Morante also helped Spain win the UEFA European Under-19 Championship over the summer. He was named in the Team of the Tournament alongside five Spain team-mates and finished as one of the competition’s joint-top scorers with four goals.

According to ABC Sevilla, Chelsea watched Morante during the tournament before contacting his representatives in the summer transfer window.

However, Morante made clear that he did not intend to leave Real Betis. Chelsea’s initial discussions with the club have also failed to produce progress, meaning a January move appears to have been ruled out.

The Premier League club could revisit their interest next summer, although any future approach would have to take into account the €30 million release clause included in Morante’s revised contract.

Former Barcelona and Brazil defender Dani Alves is in the process of divorcing his wife, Joana Sanz, with Sanz having initiated the proceedings.

The couple’s marriage is understood to have broken down after Alves became increasingly involved in religion and went on tour as a preacher. Sanz is understood to have objected to the amount of time he was devoting to that work, saying he had almost stopped making time for his family.

Alves and Sanz had been married for nine years. Their daughter, Hulieta, was born in 2025.

Alves is regarded as the second most decorated footballer in history, behind only Lionel Messi.

Barcelona left-back Alejandro Balde has chosen to continue training during the five-day break granted to players not selected for international duty.

The 23-year-old is working individually over the weekend as he looks to improve his fitness before club football resumes following the international break, according to Mundo Deportivo.

Barcelona manager Hansi Flick gave non-international players five days off, but Balde opted to remain in training rather than take the holiday.

The season has proved difficult for the defender, who has lost his place in the Barcelona team. He has made five appearances so far, but has not started a match.

There have been widespread reports that Barcelona could consider selling Balde in January if suitable transfer offers are received.

Barcelona are waiting for further information on Frenkie de Jong’s condition after the midfielder reported groin discomfort while on international duty with the Netherlands.

The 29-year-old has left the national team’s camp before their Nations League match against Germany. According to journalist Xavi Miguel, there is uncertainty at Barcelona over the extent of the problem.

De Jong is due to undergo medical tests on Monday.

He was substituted at half-time during the Netherlands’ recent match against Greece. After that game, Netherlands manager Xavi Hernandez said De Jong would probably be available to help the team against Germany.

However, the Dutch Football Association later confirmed that the Barcelona player had left the squad early.

Zinedine Zidane has spoken in support of Rafael Nadal’s proposed appointment to the Real Madrid board of directors, saying the former tennis player “loves football and especially Real Madrid”.

Real Madrid’s leadership approved Nadal’s candidacy on 4 November. His appointment must now be formally ratified by club members at the general assembly on 21 November.

Nadal, a former professional tennis player, is set to join the board if the proposal is approved at the meeting. The decision would give him an official role within the Madrid club, for which he has long held a strong attachment.

Zidane, the France manager, was asked about Nadal’s expected appointment and highlighted the player’s interest in football and particular affection for Real Madrid.

The final decision rests with the club’s members when they gather for the general assembly on 21 November.

Lamine Yamal’s mother, Sheila, found it difficult to let her son leave home for Barcelona’s academy, according to his first coach Inocente Diez, known as Kubala.

Yamal began playing football with La Torreta at the age of five. He remained with his family and attended a local school until he was 12, before moving permanently to Barcelona’s academy after completing the sixth year of primary school.

Despite the difficulty of the decision, Sheila understood that she needed to support her son’s ambitions.

Yamal has since made 167 appearances for Barcelona’s first team, scoring 62 goals and providing 64 assists.

Munir Nasraoui, the father of Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal, has revealed that his son bought homes for his mother, father and grandmother.

“Do you know what Lamine did? He bought homes for his mother, father and grandmother,” Nasraoui said.

Yamal recently finished third in the voting for the Ballon d’Or. Only Kylian Mbappe and Harry Kane were ranked above him, with the England forward winning the prestigious award.

Former Brazil international Ronaldinho has praised Real Madrid forward Endrick, saying his fellow Brazilian “can play in any team in the world”.

Endrick has struggled for regular opportunities this season, featuring in seven matches across all competitions. He has scored once, finding the net against Roma.

The 19-year-old is currently representing Real Madrid, but his limited involvement has been a notable feature of his campaign.

Ronaldinho, meanwhile, is preparing to play in an official match for the first time since 2015. The former Brazil player has joined Italian third-tier club Ravenna and is set to take part in the derby against Forli.

He is expected to play for at least 30 minutes in the forthcoming fixture.

Brighton are considering a move for Atletico Mineiro’s 18-year-old centre-back Vitao, with Barcelona and Real Madrid also monitoring the Brazilian youngster.

The Premier League club are reportedly prepared to compete with the Spanish giants for the defender, who is valued at around £12m.

Vitao established himself in Atletico Mineiro’s first team this year, making 18 appearances in all competitions and scoring once.

According to TEAMtalk, Brighton are seriously weighing up a move but face strong competition for his signature. Barcelona and Real Madrid are both tracking his progress as interest in the teenager grows.

Paris Saint-Germain and AC Milan are also reported to be watching Vitao.

The defender’s contract with Atletico Mineiro runs until 2028, meaning the Brazilian club are under no immediate pressure to sell.

Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe finished second in the Ballon d’Or voting, behind England striker Harry Kane.

Former footballer Didier Drogba has commented on the result and suggested a possible reason why Mbappe did not win the award.

Mbappe has played for Real Madrid since the summer of 2024.

Raphinha will remain with Brazil despite being suspended for the national team’s next friendly against Singapore.

Fifa rules state that a player sent off in an international friendly must miss the following friendly. Raphinha was shown a red card during Brazil’s match against Japan and will therefore serve his suspension against Singapore.

Reports had suggested the forward could leave the Brazil camp early and return to Barcelona. However, the national team will not release the winger before the end of the international duty period.

Brazil team director Rodrigo Caetano confirmed Raphinha would remain with the squad, according to The Touchline.

Brazil face Singapore on 17 November.

Raphinha could be released early from Brazil duty and return to Barcelona after being sent off in the closing stages of the friendly against Japan.

According to Barca Universal, citing Spanish newspaper Sport, Brazil are considering sending the winger back to his club before their next fixture.

Raphinha is now suspended for Brazil’s match against Singapore. FIFA regulations governing red cards also apply to international friendly matches, meaning the dismissal against Japan rules him out of the game.

An early return would be welcomed by Barcelona manager Hansi Flick, who could have Raphinha back with the club sooner than expected.

Brazil will play Singapore on Tuesday, 17 November. The match will begin at 13:00 Moscow time.