Javier Alberola Rojas, referee
Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images
As per journalist Edu Garcia (h/t Alfredo Martinez), Javier Alberola Rojas is set to referee Sunday’s El Clasico between Real Madrid and Barcelona.
His appointment is one that could attract considerable scrutiny from Real Madrid supporters.
Real Madrid are set to take on league leaders Barcelona against the backdrop of a turbulent period for refereeing in Spanish football.
Los Blancos have repeatedly felt hard done by over certain refereeing decisions, with the games against Atletico Madrid and Villarreal in particular drawing criticism.
With Jose Mourinho’s side six points behind Barcelona, the stakes are enormous. The last thing they can afford is to fall nine points behind the Catalan giants.
In that context, Alberola’s previous decisions involving Real Madrid, including several disputed penalty appeals, could worry Madrid.
Alberola Rojas’ record with Real Madrid and Barcelona
Alberola has officiated in La Liga since 2017, earning a reputation as a relatively lenient referee.
He hands out approximately 3.6 yellow cards per league match. Real Madrid have registered 12 wins, three draws and four defeats in games officiated by him, giving them a 63% winning rate.
Barcelona’s record is noticeably stronger, with ten victories, two draws and just one defeat across 13 matches, equivalent to a 77% winning rate.
Javier Alberola Rojas, referee
Alberola Rojas appears set to officiate the Clasico. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
These figures do not necessarily establish favouritism, but the contrast will undoubtedly attract attention among Real Madrid supporters.
Alberola has not previously officiated a competitive El Clasico, and Sunday will be his first taste of managing the marquee fixture.
Controversial decisions against Real Madrid
One of Alberola’s most disputed performances came during Real Madrid’s 3-1 defeat against Atletico Madrid in September 2023.
Los Merengues complained about an apparent foul on Jude Bellingham before Atletico’s opening goal, but to no avail.
Alberola Rojas also disallowed an Eduardo Camavinga goal for interference by Antonio Rudiger, who was in an offside position.
Later, Jose Maria Gimenez escaped with just a yellow card following a dangerous challenge on Rodrygo.
Another controversial incident occurred during Real Madrid’s 2-0 victory over Athletic Club in March 2024.
Rodrygo was again at the forefront as he went down in the penalty area, but Alberola had already blown the whistle to stop play.
There was no clarity as to why the whistle was blown, and it was a moment that unsurprisingly left Real Madrid fans agitated.
The frustrations continued against Real Betis in September 2024. Alberola rejected Real Madrid’s penalty appeals for a handball by Diego Llorente and a challenge by Youssouf Sabaly on Dani Ceballos.
Real Madrid have been on the receiving end of several dodgy calls from Alberola Rojas. (Photo by OSCAR DEL POZO/AFP via Getty Images)
He eventually awarded a penalty after goalkeeper Rui Silva brought down Vinicius Jr., but even that needed a VAR intervention.
Despite the team winning 2-0, Real Madrid TV strongly criticised the officiating, describing the proceedings as unacceptable.
Alberola also oversaw Real Madrid’s 5-2 defeat against Atletico in September 2025. On that occasion, he awarded a penalty after Arda Guler caught Nico Gonzalez with a high boot.
Even that decision did not come without controversy, with questions over whether the challenge warranted a penalty.
Recent decisions in the Barcelona game add another dimension
Alberola Rojas’ handling of Barcelona’s 2-0 victory over Villarreal in December 2025 tells another story.
He awarded Barcelona a penalty following a challenge on Raphinha and dismissed Renato Veiga for a dangerous tackle on Lamine Yamal.
Villarreal questioned the dismissal after the game, with then-head coach Marcelino less than pleased with how the referee handled it.
The concern for Real Madrid is not that Barcelona were getting decisions in their favour, but that similar decisions were going against them in their games.
Sunday’s match will put that theory to the test. Both Barcelona and Real Madrid have unpredictable attackers who tend to be fouled excessively.
It remains to be seen how the referee goes about protecting them and whether he applies the same rules to players from both teams.
Jose Mourinho’s side may be wary of the refereeing, but they cannot let it become a distraction ahead of the marquee encounter.
If the focus after the game remains on the football, it will mean Alberola Rojas has had a good game, and it remains to be seen how things pan out.
Three Real Madrid players who could benefit from Vinicius’ four-match suspension
Vinicius Jr., Real Madrid player
Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images
Vinicius Jr.’s four-match suspension has created a significant selection dilemma for Jose Mourinho at Real Madrid, but it could also give Endrick the opportunity he has been waiting for.
With the Brazilian winger beginning his ban against Sevilla, Mourinho will need to find an alternative attacking combination, and the young forward is among those hoping to benefit.
Endrick has been pushing for greater involvement in recent weeks, and his decisive contribution to Real Madrid’s dramatic 4-3 comeback against Roma has strengthened his case for more minutes.
The suspension to Vinicius now gives Mourinho a reason to reconsider his attacking options, with Yan Diomande and Brahim Diaz also competing for opportunities alongside Kylian Mbappe.
Endrick could get his breakthrough
Endrick, Thiago Pitarch, Real Madrid players
Endrick played a key role in Real Madrid’s comeback win over AS Roma. (Photo by Tullio M. Puglia/Getty Images)
Endrick’s performance against Roma offered a strong reminder of his determination to make an impact, and Vinicius’ suspension creates an opening at precisely the moment he is looking to convince Mourinho.
Although the Brazilian’s natural position is centre-forward, his mobility and ability to attack space could make him a viable option on the right wing.
That would allow Mbappe to remain the principal attacking threat through the middle, while giving Endrick an opportunity to influence the game from a different position.
The Sevilla fixture will therefore be important for the young forward. With Vinicius unavailable for the first game of his suspension, Endrick has a chance to show that he can contribute from a different position.
Diomande offers Mourinho an alternative to Vinicius
Yan Diomande of Real Madrid
Diomande could feature on his preferred left-wing role. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)
In Vinicius’ position, Diomande could occupy the left wing, with Endrick operating on the opposite side and Mbappe leading the attack.
This arrangement would give Real Madrid considerable pace and dribbling ability across both flanks while retaining a central goal threat.
Diomande’s one-on-one qualities could help Real Madrid stretch opposing defences, particularly against teams that defend in compact formations.
His potential inclusion would also allow Mourinho to assess whether the young attackers can complement one another rather than relying on Vinicius to provide the team’s principal threat from the left.
Brahim Diaz is another option to consider
At the same time, Brahim Diaz is also hoping to take advantage of Vinicius’ absence.
Yan Diomande, Brahim Diaz, Kylian Mbappe, Real Madrid players
Brahim Diaz would give Mourinho a different profile than other attackers. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)
Unlike Endrick and Diomande, the Moroccan international offers a different profile, with his ability to combine between the lines, link midfield and attack, and create openings in congested areas.
His inclusion could lead Mourinho towards a more fluid attacking structure rather than a straightforward three-man forward line.
Brahim’s movement would give Mbappe another player to combine with, while potentially creating space for runners arriving from wider positions.
Simply put, Vinicius’ suspension remains a setback for Real Madrid, but it has opened a competitive window for players seeking greater responsibility.
Endrick, Diomande and Brahim now have an opportunity to strengthen their cases, beginning with the Sevilla fixture, as Mourinho considers how best to line up his attack during the Brazilian’s absence.