Real Madrid and Barcelona share a rivalry that spans decades, and one that stretches far beyond the football field.
It’s a political statement, a social disagreement, and only after all of that, a sporting contest, one that has hosted some of the biggest names the game has ever seen.
This rivalry has shaped the history of football in ways few other matchups ever could.
Former Real Madrid star Gareth Bale, who caused plenty of trouble for Barcelona during his playing days, has now issued a stern warning to the Catalan club.
In a conversation with RMC Sport, Bale said: “Xabi Alonso’s Real Madrid is preparing to be fierce. Barcelona and the rest of the world are warned: a new era begins for Real Madrid.”
Gareth Bale sends a burning Real Madrid warning to Barcelona
It’s clearly visible, Real Madrid look like a completely different side under Xabi Alonso compared to the Carlo Ancelotti era.
In just a handful of games, Alonso has implemented drastic changes. There’s an identity to the team, a tactical clarity, and the execution has already begun to take shape.
And keep in mind: Los Blancos haven’t even played 10 games under him yet.
More refined versions of this team are on their way. Alonso is just getting started, and Gareth Bale’s warning to Barcelona, and the world, is very fitting.
This Real Madrid side isn’t built to sit back anymore. It’s designed to suffocate, dismantle, and impose.
This is not the Real Madrid of old, it’s a new era, and with Alonso at the helm, it’s hard not to feel an electric sense of anticipation.
The first El Clasico of the new season is scheduled for late October. By then, Alonso will have had over two months and numerous matches to fine-tune his squad across all competitions.
One can only imagine the tactical evolutions we’re going to witness. In the truest sense of the word, Barcelona are warned.
Something’s brewing, and even we don’t know what it is yet. But one thing’s certain: it won’t be sweet for them.