Following a breath-taking 3-2 victory over Real Madrid in Jeddah, FC Barcelona has once again asserted its dominance under Hansi Flick. From the “Magnificent” Raphinha to the “Reappeared” Ronald Araújo, every player contributed to a night that will be remembered as a turning point in the 2025/26 season.
Barcelona player ratings against Real Madrid in the Super Cup
The Defensive Wall
- Joan García – 8.7 (Magnetic): Providential. He made two massive second-half saves against Vinícius and Rodrygo. His aerial security in the final minutes kept the trophy in Barça’s hands.
- Jules Koundé – 7.3 (Irregular): While Vinícius beat him for the 1-1, the lateral was vital in the first half’s attacking build-up with Lamine Yamal. He tightened up significantly in the second half to help control the Brazilian.
- Pau Cubarsí – 6.5 (Improvable): A tough night facing Vinícius in open space. He struggled at times but never hid and maintained his composure under immense pressure.
- Eric García – 6.7 (Solvent): A solid defensive display marred by one risky pass that led to Madrid’s first equalizer. He was also beaten in the air by Huijsen for the 2-2 goal.
- Alejandro Balde – 5.9 (Prudent): Focused on defensive balance. He provided fewer overlaps than usual but was lightning-fast in his recovery runs on the left flank.
The Midfield Engines
- Frenkie de Jong – 7.3 (Stellar): Arguably his best game of the year; he was aggressive in defense and lucid in distribution. He was the team’s “lighthouse” until a very harsh straight red card in the 90th minute.
- Pedri – 7.1 (Imaginative): The owner of the ball. His brilliant assist for Lewandowski’s goal was a highlight, and he dictated the tempo when the team looked tired.
- Fermín López – 6.3 (Influential): He provided the assist for the opening goal after a high-press recovery. While he faded slightly after the break, his work rate in the first half was essential.
The Attacking Trio
- Raphinha – 9.6 (Magnificent): The MVP. He scored two goals in the final and four in the tournament. Despite an early miss, his clinical strike for the 1-0 and the hard-fought 3-2 winner cemented his legacy.
- Lamine Yamal – 8.1 (Magical): Pure “crack” performance. Despite being targeted with heavy fouls by Carreras, he provided a luxury assist and forced Courtois into several desperate saves.
- Robert Lewandowski – 7.1 (Mathematical): Total efficiency. He had one clear chance and buried it for the 2-1 goal, justifying Flick’s decision to start him.
The Impact Subs
- Ferran Torres (Combative): His entry revitalized the press and directly led to the chaos that allowed Raphinha to score the winner.
- Dani Olmo (Intelligent): Brought a sense of calm and technical class when the game became frantic.
- Ronald Araújo (Reappeared): The most emotional moment of the night. Returning after more than a month out for mental health reasons, he lifted the trophy alongside his teammates.
- Marcus Rashford (Inclassifiable): A mixed bag; he missed a chance to kill the game but was surprisingly active in defensive transitions.
- Gerard Martín (Forceful): Came on late to clear his lines and did exactly that without complication.
With Raphinha’s “Magnificent” 9.6 form and Araújo’s return, do you think this Barcelona squad is now the favorite to win the 2026 Champions League?
