Real Madrid will look to capitalize on their biggest remaining chance for a trophy this season while also scuttling the treble dreams of their El Clasico rivals as they meet Barcelona for the Copa del Rey final in Sevilla on Saturday.
Sitting four points back of Barca in the league title race and out of the Champions League, the Spanish domestic knockout tournament is Real Madrid’s final realistic opportunity for silverware on the season.
For Barcelona however, this match represents the first of three possible steps towards an unforgettable season, as they lead the La Liga standings and remain alive in the Champions League semifinals as well.
The injury news before the match, however, leans heavily towards Real Madrid. They will see superstar Kylian Mbappe back from his injury to take his spot up front for Los Blancos, but Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski will remain sidelined.
The Sporting News runs through the latest team news and injury updates for both sides as the match draws nearer.
Barcelona vs. Real Madrid lineups, predicted starting 11, team news
Robert Lewandowski is out for some time with a hamstring injury, leaving Ferran Torres to occupy the central striker position. Hansi Flick will now have to choose who to play in the No. 10 slot behind Torres, with Dani Olmo the likely individual ahead of Gavi or Fermin Lopez.
Alejandro Balde has been unable to recover from his hamstring injury in time for this match, with Gerard Martin likely to remain at left-back. Balde is expected to return in time for the upcoming Champions League games in the near future.
Wojciech Szczesny will remain in goal the rest of the season, as Hansi Flick has decided not to turn back to Marc-Andre ter Stegen out of loyalty to the Polish international who came out of retirement for this role.
Barcelona predicted XI (4-2-3-1, right to left): Szczesny (GK) — Kounde, Cubarsi, I. Martinez, Martin — de Jong, Pedri — Lamine Yamal, Olmo, Raphinha — F. Torres.
Injured: Balde (hamstring, doubt), Lewandowski (hamstring), Casado (knee), Bernal (ACL).
Suspended: None.
MORE: All the latest Barcelona news | All the latest Real Madrid news | Latest La Liga top goal scorer list
Real Madrid will have Kylian Mbappe back for the Copa del Rey final. The Frenchman returned to training ahead of the Getafe match on Wednesday, but Carlo Ancelotti decided to keep him sidelined to prioritize this Cup final.
Unfortunately, that Getafe match did cost Real Madrid versatile midfielder Eduardo Camavinga, who suffered a “complete tear” of his adductor and thus will be done for the season, needing a number of months to recover. With the status of Ferland Mendy still unclear, Ancelotti will wait until the last possible moment before deciding whether he is available or Fran Garcia will be called upon at left-back again.
Real Madrid desperately need Rodrygo to find his form, as the Brazilian has been extremely poor over the past few weeks, including his substitute appearance against Getafe. Arda Guler or Brahim Diaz could be options if Ancelotti feels Rodrygo is not a viable option anymore.
Real Madrid predicted XI (4-2-3-1, right to left): Courtois (GK) — Valverde, Asensio, Rudiger, F. Garcia — Modric, Tchouameni — Rodrygo, Bellingham, Vinicius Jr. — Mbappe.
Injured: Mendy (hamstring, doubt), Camavinga (groin), Carvajal (ACL), Militao (ACL).
Suspended: None.
Barcelona vs. Real Madrid live stream, TV channel
Here’s how to watch the 2025 Copa del Rey final across selected areas of the world’s major regions:
| Date | Time | TV channel | Streaming | |
| USA | Sat, Apr. 26 | 4 p.m. ET / 1 p.m. PT | ESPN Deportes | Fubo USA, ESPN+ |
| Canada | Sat, Apr. 26 | 4 p.m. ET / 1 p.m. PT | — | — |
| UK | Sat, Apr. 26 | 9 p.m. BST | Premier Sports 1 | Premier Player |
| Australia | Sun, Apr. 27 | 8 a.m. AEST | — | — |
| India | Sun, Apr. 27 | 1:30 a.m. IST | — | FanCode |
