Real Madrid Tops La Liga Ahead of El Clasico

Real Madrid sit top of La Liga with a perfect record after a 4-1 win over Levante, with goals from Kylian Mbappé, Franco Mastantuono and Vinícius Júnior; Mbappé has been a standout this season with five goals and an assist in five league matches. Manager Xabi Alonso praised the squad’s depth, said the team is still “under construction” as it builds a competitive foundation, and downplayed any perceived rift with Vinícius after a substitution. Madrid will host the first El Clasico of the 2025–26 season at the Santiago Bernabéu on Sunday 26 October (16:15 CEST/10:15 a.m. ET), which will be Alonso’s first Clasico as a manager. Barcelona will be missing Marc‑André ter Stegen and Gavi, though Alejandro Balde, Fermin López and Lamine Yamal could return. Real also face selection and fitness questions — Trent Alexander‑Arnold may be limited to the bench, Antonio Rüdiger is not expected until December and Ferland Mendy’s fitness is uncertain — but Alonso said rotation and tactical flexibility mitigate those concerns.