Pedri and Vinicius Jr during the Barça-Real Madrid LaLiga 2025/26 match
/ VALENTÍ ENRICH
The Spotify Camp Nou was a celebration throughout Sunday night, as the day turned out nearly perfect: a victory in the Clásico against Real Madrid, and also securing a new league title for the club’s trophy cabinet—the 29th. However, there was a bittersweet feeling within the Blaugrana squad and staff after learning earlier in the day about the passing of Hansi Flick’s father.
As a result, the players showed their affection and gratitude to the German coach at the end of the match. First, they lifted him in the air as is tradition when a title is won, and then they expressed their support in words.
One of those players was Pedri, who was named MVP of the match. He admitted that winning the league “tastes like glory; we wanted to win it in a historic Clásico. We played a great match, and now it’s time to celebrate—you don’t achieve this every day.” The Canary Islander explained that they had set a goal not to let this opportunity slip. “We wanted to do it for Flick, for everything he has given us and for the loss he has suffered.”
Captain Frenkie de Jong also spoke to the microphones of ‘Movistar’, acknowledging that “all titles are special, but this one even more so because you win it at home against Madrid.” Frenkie, who came on in the second half, said, “Hansi is very important; he has very clear ideas and gives us a lot of freedom to show our quality.”
“Next year, we go for the Champions League”
The Dutch midfielder said that although the challenge of winning another Champions League remains, the Barça players were very happy with their domestic success. “Every title you win must be celebrated to the fullest, especially a league. Of course, we want to win the Champions League; it’s the objective, and next year we’ll have another opportunity.”
Gerard Martín also said that in this Clásico, “we had to give an extra for Flick and stay united.” The young Barça defender added, “I also want to remember my grandfather Fernando, who passed away less than a month ago. This is for him.” Like his teammates, Gerard highlighted that “winning a league against Real Madrid has never happened before, and it’s very special.” Despite everything, the center-back said that before the match “I was very calm.” Afterward, in the game, “we controlled the match well.”
Eric, Culé Commitment and the World Cup
Another youth product with a specific weight in the team, Eric García, also emphasized that “it was a tough day because of what happened with the coach, but we had to close it today” by winning the league title in the Clásico.
Eric has grown despite having some difficult seasons, even experiencing a loan to Girona. “I trust myself a lot and know my potential. The coach has given me confidence and has placed me in positions where I had never played before.”
Celebrating such a success alongside the ‘Gent blaugrana’ was an added value for the players, as Eric admitted. “We are a young team; those of us who have been at Barça since childhood know what it means. We would have liked to be in two more finals,” he said, referring to the Champions League and the Copa, “but we are improving, and the league rewards consistency.”
Despite everything, he is convinced that a new Champions League will eventually come for Barça. “We have a very good group, with a lot of future, and a coach who knows how to push us, which is important. When things don’t go so well, he is there to push us.” He also left a message for Luis de la Fuente when asked about the World Cup: “I really want to go to the World Cup; if I don’t make it, let it not be because I didn’t give my maximum level.”
