Real Madrid and Barcelona scarves
Photo by Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images
As is often the case, Real Madrid and FC Barcelona find themselves going up against each other in pursuit of young prospects from within Spain and outside.
The latest case sees the two La Liga behemoths battle it out for Manchester United prodigy JJ Gabriel, with reports suggesting that the Blaugrana might have an edge on their rivals.
There have been several such transfer battles in recent years, involving Pablo Torre, Arda Guler, Endrick, and even Sergio Martinez, who was on the Catalans’ radars before choosing Real Madrid this past summer.
Hafiz Gariba slipped away
Now, SPORT brings forward another such case where Real Madrid and Barcelona were embroiled in a transfer war for a promising young player.
Indeed, according to the report, there was a Clasico battle for the transfer of Hafiz Gariba back in 2025, but the teenage defender chose to sign for Barça over Real Madrid.
Gariba, 19, spotted by the Marcet Foundation after impressing in trials at an academy in the Ghanaian capital, Accra.
Unable to sign for a major club because of bureaucratic issues, he began gaining experience at Codolar, a Fourth Catalan Regional club, the lowest level of football in Catalonia.
Despite the fact that the level of competition may not have offered the most attractive showcase, word soon spread about the existence of a very young centre-back with top-level potential.
And, perhaps surprisingly, scouts from both Barça and Real Madrid went to watch him in person. Both clubs made offers to sign him, but ultimately it was the Catalan club that won the race.
Having moved to the Barcelona academy in the winter of 2025, the 19-year-old defender has made steady progress, rising through the ranks and becoming a regular for their reserve team, Barça Atletic.
Gariba also started pre-season with the first team under Hansi Flick during the summer and remains on the German’s radar, indicating the potential he possesses.
Real Madrid could have had a promising young defensive prospect in their ranks had they been successful in their pursuit but the teenager chose their rivals.
The Spanish capital club will be hoping that things turn out differently with JJ Gabriel.
Marc Cucurella responds to Real Madrid’s shock La Liga running statistics: ‘That surprises me because…’
Marc Cucurella, Real Madrid player
Photo by Mateo Villalba Sanchez/Getty Images
Real Madrid’s physical numbers have come under scrutiny after data showed Jose Mourinho’s side covers less ground than any other team in La Liga, but Marc Cucurella has questioned how much those statistics actually reveal.
Madrid are averaging 104.3 kilometres per match this season, the lowest figure among the division’s 20 teams.
The statistic has attracted increased attention following defeats to Real Betis and Atletico Madrid.
Cucurella, speaking to El Larguero, admitted the numbers surprised him because his experience does not match the perception created by the data.
Cucurella questions Real Madrid running statistics
The Real Madrid defender was directly asked about the team’s position at the bottom of La Liga’s distance rankings.
His initial reaction was one of surprise, before he pointed towards the amount of running he believes the players are actually doing during matches.
Marc Cucurella, Real Madrid player
Cucurella is quite astonished by the data. (Photo by Francisco Macia/Getty Images)
“We’re the team that runs the least in La Liga?
“That surprises me, because we actually run a lot. Maybe those stats are talked about now because we lost the derby and we lost to Betis.
**“If we had won every game, nobody would be talking about that.**“
The understanding of the stats is quite important because total distance measures every movement made during a match, including walking, jogging, recovery runs and higher-intensity actions.
That means the figure alone does not necessarily indicate how hard a team is working or how effectively it is using its physical output.
Cucurella did not dismiss the statistics altogether, though. Instead, he suggested Real Madrid may have to respond to them through their performances.
Marc Cucurella, Real Madrid player
After two defeats, Cucurella admits Real Madrid need to improve. (Photo by Mateo Villalba Sanchez/Getty Images)
The defender acknowledged that there could be room for improvement, particularly after the defeats that have brought greater attention to the team’s physical profile.
“But in the end, the stats are there, so we have to improve them, or we have to win every game so these stats aren’t as talked about.
“Maybe we have to give a bit more effort and improve things a bit,” he concluded.
As put by the defender, Real Madrid’s low distance figures are indeed surprising, but their relevance becomes greater when the team is also dropping points.
Mourinho’s side are not necessarily being accused of simply refusing to run; rather, the data raises questions about the volume and intensity of their work compared with the rest of La Liga.