This summer, Texas will play host to some of the world’s biggest soccer stars. However, this isn’t about the rumors that Lionel Messi may be heading to the MLS. Instead, Texas will be the location for a preseason El Clasico, the historic face-off between Real Madrid and Barcelona. This will be the second consecutive year the Spanish powerhouses play on American soil.
El Clasico is the name given to matches between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid, the world’s two most valuable football clubs. Together, they boast 19 Champions League titles and 61 La Liga titles. Over the past year, the clubs have met five times, with Barcelona leading the season with a 3-2 advantage. However, Real Madrid claimed victory in their latest clash – a 4-0 triumph in the Copa del Rey semifinals.
The preseason El Clasico match will take place on Saturday, July 29, just two weeks ahead of the return of league play in Spain. The venue will be AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, a confirmed location for the 2026 World Cup, which is even rumored to host the championship game.
This upcoming match will mark the third time the clubs have faced each other in the U.S. In 2017, Barcelona clinched a 3-2 victory over Real Madrid in Miami, Florida, during the International Champions Cup, courtesy of star players Neymar, Luis Suarez, and Lionel Messi. The teams also played against each other last summer at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Despite it being a preseason match, expect both teams to field their top players. The 2017 Miami match saw many of the star names play for at least half the game. Barcelona’s current league-leading roster includes midfielder Frenkie de Jong, striker Robert Lewandowski, and Spanish duo Pedri and Gavi. On the other hand, Real Madrid’s lineup boasts reigning Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema, Brazilian Vinicius Junior, and decorated veterans such as Modric, Eden Hazard, and Antonio Rudiger.
Furthermore, Real Madrid has been recently linked with Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappe. Given that the summer transfer window for La Liga opens on July 1, other big names could potentially be seen on the U.S. field, depending on how swiftly the negotiations proceed.
