First major CTA decision for El Clásico! Florentino Pérez has already warned Xabi Alonso.

Real Madrid is experiencing a renewed moment of brilliance with Xabi Alonso at the helm. Meanwhile, Barça isn't starting with the same fluidity, suffering from hesitations in their play and less impressive results. Under these circumstances, next week's Clásico takes on extra significance this season.

The Real Madrid-Barça match on October 26 promises to be a game of maximum tension. That's why CTA has the important mission of carefully choosing the referee for the match. The controversies that may arise and the decisions that are made will have a direct influence on the course of the season.

Cta speaks out for the Clásico: there is a favorite

It has been leaked that the referee chosen to officiate the match will be Soto Grado, who doesn't have a favorable record for Real Madrid. In a recent Madrid classic, he awarded a penalty that many considered non-existent and disallowed a legitimate goal by Mbappé, generating controversy.

In addition, in a match against Valencia, he sent off Vinícius after a slight touch and overlooked a clear foul by the opposing goalkeeper on the same player. That refereeing track record makes him a rather controversial figure for a Clásico so full of expectations.

From Valdebebas, they don't want the refereeing debate to overshadow the match. However, they know that Soto Grado will spark sensitivities in the Madrid camp. Those past decisions weigh heavily, and Florentino has surely already spoken with Xabi Alonso about it.

Soto Grado, main character in the Clásico

Madridist players already recall past refereeing gestures against them. That it goes back to errors in derbies or controversial decisions by Soto Grado is no coincidence. In a match as decisive as the Clásico, those refereeing decisions can potentially tip the balance.

For Barça, CTA's decision is not trivial either: a controversial referee can generate debates, media firestorms, or perceived gamesmanship. The Catalan club will have to build its defensive argument in the face of any questionable situation.

Shocking: the Clásico is coming

The Clásico won't just be a clash of talent and tactics, but also of context and institutional pressure. That Florentino Pérez has already pulled strings to warn Xabi Alonso before the opening whistle shows that in Madrid, they take these scenarios with the utmost seriousness.

The referee appointment is already part of the story that will surround the Clásico. Soto Grado arrives with a controversial background, and CTA gives the order by sending him to the most high-profile match of the year.