The Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia: A history of Real Madrid vs. Barcelona matches
Since the Spanish Super Cup moved to Saudi Arabia, the competition has transformed from a traditional opening event for the Spanish football season into a global spectacle attracting millions of viewers, especially when the final features the two giants of world football: Real Madrid and Barcelona. Saudi stadiums have become a preferred venue for "El Clásico," with each edition of the tournament witnessing a remarkable improvement in both the technical level of play and fan attendance, further cementing the Kingdom's position as a leading global sporting destination.
A strategic shift and a qualitative leap for the championship
The move of the Spanish Super Cup to Saudi Arabia was not merely a change of location; it represented a radical transformation in the tournament's format and prestige. Following the adoption of the "Final Four" system, the competition intensified, increasing the likelihood of a clash of titans in the final. This change, bolstered by high-level Saudi organization, gave the tournament tremendous media and economic momentum, with Spanish clubs now fiercely competing for the title, which has become a lucrative financial event with unprecedented international reach.
The Clasico trilogy in Saudi stadiums: endless excitement
During the Kingdom’s hosting of five editions of the tournament (2020, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025), football fans were treated to three unforgettable El Clásico finals, all characterized by high-scoring matches and dramatic scenarios
- 2023 edition (Riyadh): This edition marked Barcelona’s return, as the Catalan team delivered a high-level tactical performance and outperformed their royal rivals with a score of (3-1), achieving an important moral title at that time.
- 2024 Edition (Riyadh): Real Madrid's response was swift and decisive the following year. On a historic night at Parc des Princes, they thrashed their opponents 4-1. Brazilian star Vinicius Junior was the hero of the night, scoring a historic hat-trick that propelled Los Blancos to the title with a relentless attacking display.
- 2025 Edition (Jeddah): The excitement moved to the Bride of the Red Sea, where the two teams delivered one of the most entertaining matches in the tournament's history. The encounter ended with a resounding victory for Barcelona (5-2), in an open match that saw thrilling twists and turns until the final minutes, confirming that El Clásico in Saudi Arabia always lives up to its promise.
The battle of goalscorers and stars
On an individual level, these finals have produced impressive statistics for the stars of both teams. Polish striker Robert Lewandowski tops the list of goalscorers in the Saudi Super Cup with three goals, spread across the 2023, 2024, and 2025 finals. He shares this record with Brazilian Vinicius Junior, thanks to his famous hat-trick in 2024. Other notable names include Rafinha, who scored two goals in the 2025 Jeddah final, and Rodrygo, who also made his mark, reflecting the high attacking quality of both teams in these major matches.
Saudi Arabia: A global football destination
The success of hosting these consecutive editions confirms the growing role of Saudi Arabia on the international sporting map and its positive impact on marketing Spanish football globally. As fans eagerly await the next edition in 2026, the question remains: who will write the next chapter in the Clásico story on Saudi soil? Will we witness another chapter of excitement and a flurry of goals?
