Kylian Mbappé Hails Barcelona’s Marc Casadó After Copa del Rey El Clásico
In a thrilling Copa del Rey final, Real Madrid’s star striker Kylian Mbappé found himself on the losing side against arch-rivals Barcelona. Despite Real Madrid’s best efforts, they succumbed to a 2–3 defeat after extra time at the Estadio de La Cartuja in Seville.
However, it wasn’t just the scoreline that caught Mbappé’s attention. The French forward was particularly impressed by the performance of Barcelona’s young midfielder, Marc Casadó. “Ever since I joined Real Madrid, I have never for once played against such a brilliant player like him,” Mbappé remarked. “He gave us a tough time; despite the fact that we played our best, he didn’t give us a chance to win.”
Casadó, a product of Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy, showcased maturity beyond his years. His ability to disrupt Real Madrid’s midfield play and initiate counter-attacks was instrumental in Barcelona’s victory. While much of the pre-match focus was on established stars like Lamine Yamal and Pedri, it was Casadó’s work ethic and tactical intelligence that stood out.
The match itself was a testament to the fierce rivalry between the two Spanish giants. Barcelona took the lead through Pedri, but Real Madrid responded with goals from Vinícius Júnior and Jude Bellingham. Ferran Torres equalized for Barcelona, and in extra time, Jules Koundé scored the decisive goal to secure the victory.
Mbappé’s acknowledgment of Casadó’s impact underscores the depth of talent emerging from Barcelona’s youth system. As Real Madrid reflects on this defeat, the spotlight now turns to how both teams will adapt and respond in the remainder of the season.
For Casadó, this performance could be a significant stepping stone in his burgeoning career. Earning praise from one of the world’s top forwards is no small feat, and it highlights the potential that Barcelona sees in their young midfielder.
As the Copa del Rey progresses, all eyes will be on Casadó to see if he can maintain this level of performance and help lead Barcelona to further glory.