According to a report by Madrid Universal on Thursday October 22, 2026, Real Madrid stars Kylian Mbappe and Arda Guler have sent a strong message to Barcelona ahead of Sunday’s El Clasico, insisting that Jose Mourinho’s team are determined to secure victory.

Los Blancos head into the highly anticipated encounter looking to close the six-point gap separating them from their rivals in the La Liga title race.

Madrid boosted their confidence with a convincing 4-1 victory over RB Leipzig in the Champions League. Speaking after the European fixture, Mbappe explained that the squad had deliberately avoided thinking about Barcelona before completing their immediate assignment.

The French forward acknowledged that the Clasico carries special significance compared to other matches.

“El Clasico is completely different,” Mbappe said.

He explained that the team had remained focused on Leipzig rather than allowing the upcoming showdown to distract them.

“We were only thinking about the Leipzig match. As for what will happen on Sunday, we can think about it now,” he added.

Mbappe’s comments reflect Mourinho’s emphasis on concentrating on one match at a time. Although the manager must consider the upcoming fixture when making tactical decisions, his players are expected to remain focused on their immediate responsibilities.

Meanwhile, Guler has also made Madrid’s ambitions clear ahead of the crucial encounter. The Turkish midfielder believes his team understands the importance of the fixture and is prepared to give everything to claim maximum points.

“It’s a big match, a match of the highest level, and we’ll give everything we have to win,” Guler stated.

The midfielder also highlighted the expectations associated with representing the Spanish giants.

“We are Real Madrid, and we have to win every match. We’re ready,” he declared.

Madrid cannot afford to lose further ground in the title race, with Barcelona currently enjoying a six-point advantage. A victory for the Catalan side would extend that gap to nine points and provide a significant psychological boost following their disappointing defeat against Paris Saint-Germain.

However, Mourinho’s men will be determined to prevent that outcome. With both teams under pressure to deliver, Sunday’s El Clasico promises to be a fiercely contested encounter that could significantly influence the La Liga title race.