El Clasico has gone down because of Barcelona
Former Real Madrid midfielder Mesut Ozil has stirred up discussions ahead of the La Liga El Clasico between Real Madrid and Barcelona by suggesting that the allure of the historic rivalry has diminished due to Barcelona’s current state.
In an interview with Marca, Ozil reflected on the past glory of El Clasico, highlighting the era of Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona as a pinnacle in football history. He noted that the global spotlight has shifted towards other high-profile matches, such as those in the Premier League between teams like Liverpool and Manchester City.
Ozil expressed disappointment in the current status of El Clasico, attributing it to Barcelona’s decline rather than any fault of Real Madrid, whom he acknowledged as one of the world’s top teams. He criticized Barcelona for their struggles, injuries, and constant complaints about referees, suggesting they should focus more on self-improvement and less on external factors.