Real Madrid face Barcelona in the final of the Copa Del Rey on Saturday. It is tough to narrow down a list of Real Madrid and Barcelona fans and not have at least one set of fans mad at the so-called monstrosity I have committed.
Real Madrid have a lot of great individual players, while Barcelona have some in positions that Real Madrid really could use one. They have also functioned much better as a team, and the few Barcelona players that have actually made the lineup lead the race by a country mile.
Real Madrid could use someone similar to some of these Barcelona players in their squad as well, as they have some brilliant players missing in some positions.
Real Madrid vs Barcelona: Combined XI for El Clasico final in the Copa Del Rey
GK Thibaut Courtois
Wojciech Szczesny has been brilliant for Barcelona this season, coming out of retirement to become their first-choice goalkeeper. However, Thibaut Courtois, who wished for a former Real Madrid player to be in the squad after the Champions League loss to Arsenal, takes the cake here. He is the best goalkeeper in the world. He has to be here.
RB Jules Kounde
Kounde has been brilliant at doing the simple things right for Barcelona. He is a defensive right-back, but is not afraid of making runs in behind and supporting Lamine Yamal. He is defensively great, and much, much better than Lucas Vazquez in every single facet of the game.
CB Inigo Martinez
A surprise pick, but Martinez has had an excellent season at Barcelona. Especially as of late, he has been absolutely brilliant and it makes complete sense for him to be here. Barcelona have a better defense than Real Madrid right now, and Martinez is one big part of it. Antonio Rudiger has been struggling with fitness and form, and I think Martinez is really good, annoyingly.
CB Raul Asencio
Real Madrid's revelation of the season. It was between him and Pau Cubarsi - who has been exceptional as well - but I had to go with Asencio. The amount of times the Spaniard has saved Real Madrid this season makes me want to give the position to him, regardless of how many people think Cubarsi is better. He could be - but Asencio is saving a sinking ship.
LB Fran Garcia
I don't know why Garcia is here. Real Madrid's left-back is injured. Barcelona's left-back is also injured, which makes Fran Garcia the only player who can make the XI. If it weren't for injuries, Alejandro Balde would have easily made the lineup, for what it is worth.
CM Fede Valverde
The best box-to-box midfielder in the world. Absolute no-brainer. I chose to put him as a central midfielder instead of a right-back, just because of it being his natural position. Real Madrid's most consistent player this season - Valverde simply has to be here.
CM Pedri
Real Madrid fans do not seem to accept it, but Pedri is truly world-class, and is a profile Real Madrid really miss these days. He is absolutely brilliant - almost too good - and it was one of the easiest choices in the lineup for me. Pedri has been one of Barcelona's best players this season, and any lineup that does not have Pedri in it would not make sense.
CM Jude Bellingham
Bellingham has also been brilliant this season. He has been one of Real Madrid's best players, even though he has been playing with a shoulder strap and out of position as well. He is just that good. Bellingham has the ability to decide games on his own, and he has to be here, just like the other two in midfield.
RW Lamine Yamal
Ridiculous football player. Had to include him. Rodrygo simply has not been good enough - one goal in 23 matches - and even if he was better, it would still be hard to pick him over Yamal this season. The 17-year-old has 18 assists this season, which should tell you enough about how good he has been.
CF Kylian Mbappe
33 goals in a bad season for Mbappe is an all-timer for any other player in the world. Lewandowski would have given Mbappe some tough competition, but since he is injured, it is also an easy choice. I will pick the player who, on his day, is the best player in the world.
LW Raphinha
The hardest pick of the whole lot. Real Madrid fans will crucify me, I'm sure, as Vinicius Jr has been good in these last few weeks, and just like Mbappe, he is the best in the world on his day. But, this season, Raphinha has been genuinely insane. He is putting up brilliant numbers and is one of the frontrunners for the Ballon d'Or. He had to make it.