The Spanish Super Cup returns to Saudi Arabia this week with Barcelona looking to retain the crown they won in spectacular fashion 12 months ago.
Last season, Hansi Flick's side inflicted a brutal 5-2 beating on Real Madrid in the Jeddah final, securing the German's first trophy as Barca manager and a record-extending 15th Super Cup for the club.
Barcelona would also go on to wrestle the La Liga title from Real and are currently four points clear of their fierce rivals halfway through the current campaign.
On Saturday, Barca came out on top in the Catalan derby with Espanyol, although they needed two late goals from Dani Olmo and Robert Lewandowski to secure three points.
That 2-0 victory at the RCDE Stadium was Barca's ninth in a row, equalling Flick's best run in La Liga achieved between January and March 2025.
But Flick admitted his team had goalkeeper Joan Garcia to thank after an “unbelievable” performance against his former club. “We didn’t deserve it, I will be honest,” said the former Bayern Munich coach.
“I have to say thank you to Joan Garcia because he played unbelievable. He’s one of the best goalkeepers in the world.
“He’s been fantastic. He’ll never forget what he experienced here. Now he’s with us and he’s had an incredible performance."
Focus now shifts to the Super Cup and a clash with Athletic Club at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium on Wednesday (11pm kick-off UAE), in a repeat of last year's semi-final that saw Barca come out on top 2-0, thanks to goals from Gavi and Lamine Yamal.
Teenage winger Yamal goes into the match having just been named the best forward at the Globe Soccer Awards in Dubai, as well as winning the Maradona award which recognises “exceptional football talent”.
The 18-year-old notched 18 goals and 25 assists last season and has nine goals and 11 assists to his name so far this campaign.
He also finished 2025 as the best dribbler in Europe's top five leagues – Spain, England, Italy, Germany and France.
Yamal completed 285 successful dribbles over 12 months, almost
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