With questions about his future, the Cup could be the last Barça-Madrid for Busquets, Alba, Kroos, Modric and Ancelotti
It could also be for Benzema, despite the fact that his continuity at the white club is clearer
There are some outstanding players from Barça and Real Madrid who could experience their last classic at Spotify Camp Nou tonight. With their future still up in the air, they do not know for sure if they will be able to enjoy the greatest duel in existence again on the pitch between the two greats of the League, eternal historical rivals.
On the blaugrana side, and with 47 classics behind them, Sergio Busquets has not yet made a definitive decision about his future. He must do it shortly because Barça needs to continue planning for the future. The captain already has a renewal offer on the table. One season plus another optional with a salary of about seven million euros gross.
Busquets also has proposals from MLS (Inter Miami) and a couple of teams from Saudi Arabia They are also interested but Xavi’s insistence, seeing himself still at a good level in the team and the possibility of Leo Messi’s return, have caused him to continue doubting whether to continue or not.
Jordi Alba ends his contract on June 30, 2024. As of today, he has no intention of leaving or accepting a transfer or loan. Despite the fact that his participation with the team has dropped a lot due to the appearance of Alejandro Balde, The Hospitalet winger is playing a new role, more than giving support to the youngsters and being in good physical condition to take over for team needs.
Now, it is very likely that FC Barcelona will return to the charge to try to find him a way out because getting rid of his file is key to be able to lower the salary mass. The Barça board is even willing to pay him the difference in salary between what he can receive in a new team and what is stipulated in his current contract.
The cases in Real Madrid
Luka Modric and Toni Kroos end their contract with Real Madrid on June 30. The Croatian, with 30 classics played, continues to have a rope for a while and his intention is to continue being part of the Madrid club. Ancelotti wants him to renew and the club doesn’t see it badly but the reality is that he hasn’t done it yet.
Florentino Pérez is not very given to wanting to extend the careers of his most veteran players but in the case of Modric he does seem willing to give him one more season. With the German, who has already played 24 games against Barça, more or less the same thing happensAlthough he is not the 37-year-old Croatian, at 33, he is pondering whether to continue at the Madrid club, end his career with another team or hang up his boots directly.
The two midfielders have been starters in the four classics this season but today it is not clear that they are because Ancelotti could introduce a surprise in the eleven. After Atlético, Barça is the rival they have faced the most times.
Precisely, the Italian coach is another of those who could experience his last duel against Barça as coach of Real Madrid. If the Barça club knocks them out of the Copa del Rey and fails to win the Champions League, Florentino could decide to replace him with another coach. Speculation about his future is the order of the day and there is much talk about the interest of the Brazilian team in hiring him.
Another heavyweight for Real Madrid and a classic in the classics is Karim Benzema. ANDThe French striker ends his contract but his continuity, at least one more season, is quite assured. Right eye of the Madrid president, the white club cannot do without him without having a guaranteed substitute attached. And Endrick doesn’t arrive until 2024.
The Frenchman has 42 classics and thirteen goals in this series of matches. After Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, he has established himself as the great scorer in duels between the two greats of Spanish football.