The eternal rivalry between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona has exploded into a war of words that inflames spirits ahead of the next Classic. Dani Carvajal, the Madrid right-back and champion of everything with the white club, released an arrogant and provocative statement in an interview with “Marca”: “Barcelona is just a faded shadow, it will never reach the legendary greatness of Real!” With his head held high and a defiant smile, Carvajal belittled his eternal rival, praising the “invincible soul” of Madrid under Ancelotti and calling Barça “indebted and dependent on Messi.” The Madrid fans applauded, but before Carvajal could savor his victory, Andrés Iniesta – the culé legend and architect of the goal in the 2010 World Cup final – intervened with a direct challenge and nine cold blows that completely silenced the merengue star.
Iniesta, who shone for Barça between 2002 and 2018 with 32 titles and is now an ambassador for the club, responded on Instagram and in an exclusive statement for “Mundo Deportivo”. “Dani, provoke everything you want, but the facts don’t lie,” began the 41-year-old from La Mancha, known for his elegance and vision of the game, and mercilessly reeled off nine points that demonstrate Barça’s historical superiority:
- Champions League: Barça with 5 titles (1992, 2006, 2009, 2011, 2015) vs. Madrid’s 15, but “we invented the tiki-taka that humiliated the world.”
- The League: 27 titles for Barça vs. 36 of Madrid, “but our eras of dominance (Cruyff, Guardiola) redefined football.”
- Spanish Super Cup: Barça leads with 14 victories. “Even in direct duels, we beat you.”
- International course: World Cups and Euros with La Masía as a cradle. “Messi and Xavi were born here, not in your purchases.”
- Financial stability: Barça overcame crisis with quarry; Madrid with petrodollars. “We are not shadows, we are roots.”
- Legends: From Kubala to Puyol, Messi to Pedri – “Carvajal is good, but not an Iniesta.”
- Camp Nou vs. Bernabéu: 99,000 seats with history vs. remodeling. “Our hobby is pure passion.”
- Recent domain: Triplet 2015 and sextet 2009. “You depend on VAR and penalties.”
- Ancelotti vs. Guardiola: “Pep revolutionized football; Carlo recycles. Choose.”
Iniesta closed with a challenge: “Come to the Camp Nou, Dani, and win a title without VAR.” The response was an earthquake: culés invaded networks with #IniestaRules, while Madrid fans defended Carvajal. The side himself remained silent, and sources indicate regret after the factual review. Experts like Javier Hernández praised Iniesta: “Nine hits – precise as his passes. Total knockout.”
This confrontation warms up the Clásico this weekend at the Bernabéu. Carvajal’s provocation, born from frustration with injuries and an irregular start, highlights the rivalry: emotion vs. trophies. Iniesta not only silenced Carvajal, but all of Madrid – for now. La Liga fans are vibrating: will the king of facts on the pitch triumph?
