“THERE IS A TEAM THAT CALLS ITSELF A CHAMPION BUT PLAYS THIS WAY DOESN’T DESERVE TO EXIST IN THE CHAMPIONS!” Xabi Alonso – the coach of REAL – has shaken public opinion by openly asking UEFA to EXCLUDE Barça from the 2025-2026 season after their disastrous performance against PSG. Immediately, Hansi Flick reacted furiously, accusing Real of trying to pressure UEFA and turning the competition into an “exclusive playground” for bench players: “REAL DOES NOT HAVE THE RIGHT…”

Spanish football has been set ablaze after an extraordinary war of words erupted between Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso and Barcelona’s head coach Hansi Flick. Following Real Madrid’s humiliating 4-0 defeat at the Parc des Princes against PSG in the Champions League, Alonso delivered one of the most controversial press conferences in recent memory. With anger clearly visible, the former midfield maestro did not hold back.

“There is a team that calls itself a champion but plays like this,” Alonso thundered. “Such a team does not deserve to exist in the Champions League.” Though he refrained from naming Barcelona outright, the implication was obvious. His thinly veiled attack on Barça — La Liga champions and Madrid’s fierce rivals — immediately sent shockwaves through Spain and across Europe.

The timing could not have been more dramatic. Real Madrid were dismantled in Paris, with Kylian Mbappé striking twice in the opening half before Ousmane Dembélé — another ex-Barça man — scored a sensational hat-trick to seal Madrid’s humiliation. Alonso, who only took over from Carlo Ancelotti this past summer, saw his tactical plans crumble in front of millions. Frustration boiled over, and instead of simply admitting his side’s flaws, he turned his attention to Barcelona, accusing them of not being worthy of Europe’s biggest stage.

Insiders claim Alonso’s comments were fueled by simmering resentment. Despite Barcelona’s struggles in recent European campaigns, Flick’s team had dominated Madrid domestically, including last season’s painful 4-0 demolition at the Santiago Bernabéu. Alonso’s remarks, therefore, appeared not just as an attack on Barça’s European standing, but as a deflection from his own team’s shortcomings.

The backlash was immediate. Within hours, Hansi Flick stood before the cameras at the Camp Nou, visibly angered by his counterpart’s words. “Real Madrid does not have the right to dictate who deserves to play in the Champions League,” Flick fired back. “This is nothing more than a clumsy attempt to pressure UEFA and transform the competition into an exclusive playground for clubs that can afford expensive benches.” His statement, a pointed jab at Madrid’s galaxy of high-priced signings like Mbappé and Bellingham, drew thunderous applause from the culé faithful.

Flick went further, reminding journalists of recent history. “If Alonso wants to talk about merit, he should look in his own mirror first. We’ve beaten Real Madrid in four consecutive clásicos, with teamwork, not with press conference theatrics. We are champions because we prove it on the pitch, not because of words thrown in desperation after a heavy defeat.” His defiance underscored the shift in power between the two clubs over the past year.

The incident has brought the already fierce rivalry between Madrid and Barça into an entirely new dimension. Spanish newspapers describe it as a “cold war” between the two giants, with words now becoming as decisive as results. For Madrid, the humiliation in Paris has triggered an internal crisis. Vinícius Júnior and Rodrygo, according to reports, are frustrated with tactical confusion, while Florentino Pérez is already holding urgent talks about defensive reinforcements.

By contrast, Barcelona currently appear stable. Flick has molded a young, hungry squad led by the sensational 17-year-old Lamine Yamal and the rejuvenated Pedri. Domestically, Barça sit top of La Liga and their performances, though not flawless, have carried an energy and conviction that contrasts sharply with Madrid’s struggles abroad. Yet Alonso’s public call for UEFA to reconsider Barcelona’s place in Europe has cast a cloud over the Catalans, with some pundits arguing that he is attempting psychological warfare ahead of the next clásico.

UEFA, for now, has maintained silence. Sources within the organization, however, have hinted that Ceferin and his committee will not be swayed by Alonso’s comments. “The Champions League is a competition for performance, not for politics,” one insider suggested. Meanwhile, on social media, the debate has raged furiously. The hashtag #AlonsoVsFlick has trended worldwide, with memes mocking Real Madrid as “fallen kings” and others labeling Barça “fragile champions.”

The controversy has even spilled into politics. Catalan leaders have rushed to defend Barcelona, accusing Real Madrid of “chronic victimhood,” while some in Madrid insist PSG’s thrashing exposed “an orchestrated refereeing conspiracy.” The drama, it seems, has escaped the realm of sport and entered the wider cultural and political divide between the two cities.

All eyes now turn to October 27, when Barça host Madrid at the Camp Nou. Already billed as one of the most explosive clásicos in history, Alonso’s and Flick’s words have raised the stakes to boiling point. Alonso knows his credibility as Madrid coach is under severe scrutiny, while Flick will be eager to silence his rival with another dominant display.

Will UEFA consider Alonso’s extraordinary demand to exclude Barça? Almost certainly not. But in a season already packed with storylines, this clash of egos has lit a fire that will burn for months. The Champions League may be decided on the pitch, but in Spain, the war of words is proving just as influential.