Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Jr and Five Players to Watch As Barcelona Host Real Madrid

• Real Madrid and Barcelona lock horns at the Montjuic for the first instalment of El Clasico
• Both La Liga clubs share a longstanding rivalry
• Sports Brief takes a look at five players to look out for ahead of the clash

Barcelona and Real Madrid are set to revive their longstanding rivalry as they clash at Estadio Luis de Companys Montjuic in the first Clasico of the 2023-24 La Liga season.

Tensions have flared between both sides, with a representative of the Catalan club recently stoking the rivalry by referring to Real Madrid's forward, Vinicius Jr, as a clown on social media.

The upcoming showdown at the Montjuic promises to feature new faces and numerous Clasico debutants, and in anticipation of this exciting clash, Sports Brief presents five players to watch as Xavi Hernandez's team hosts their rivals from the Spanish capital:

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Football

Jude Bellingham

A prominent figure gradually dominating the world of football, Jude Bellingham has seamlessly integrated into the Real Madrid midfield following his summer transfer from Borussia Dortmund.

As reported by Whoscored, The 20-year-old has already been involved in 14 goals and provided three assists since joining Los Blancos. Bellingham is poised to make his Clasico debut at the Montjuic, and fans can expect a dynamic performance from the marauding midfielder.

Joao Felix

The 23-year-old on-loan Atletico Madrid star has not hidden his love for Barcelona. The forward who recently named his foremost memory of the El Clasico being the four-nil victory in favour of Barcelona in his recent interview with ESPN, is set to lead the Catalan club attack when Referee Gil Manzano blows his whistle at the Montjuic.

Barcelona faithful will expect fireworks from their high-flying Portuguese when he makes his Clasico debut.

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Football

Vinicius Jr

The consistently reliable Brazilian star has steadily risen as a prominent star in European football. With a history of intense competition against his Catalan rivals, Vinicius Jr is expected to shine again when facing one of his favourite opponents.

Joao Cancelo

The 29-year-old Barcelona full-back is expected to play a pivotal role in the Clasico. His ability to create overloads during Barcelona's attacks has often been crucial to securing victories for Xavi's team.

Kepa Arrizabalaga

The on-loan Chelsea goalkeeper faces another significant challenge, especially after a less-than-impressive performance in his first major task of the season against Atletico Madrid. The 29-year-old Spanish international will once again be in the spotlight as he confronts one of the most formidable attacking forces in European football.

Why El Clasico is football's biggest game

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Saturday marks the first league encounter of the 2023/24 season between Barcelona and Real Madrid.

Jude Bellingham's remarkable performance persists as he secures another award

Football

El Clasico has evolved into a biennial football spectacle that transcends the boundaries of Spain, capturing the global audience's imagination.

The clash between the nation's two greatest rivals now garners attention from fans worldwide.