Champions Again, Alavés Next & Transfer Noise Grows — May 12, 2026
Barça bask in Liga glory after dismantling Madrid. Now come the easy games, transfer speculation, and plenty of noise from bitter rivals.
Liga Champions, Again
The champagne has barely dried and already we're looking ahead. Barcelona wrapped up La Liga title number 29 with that magnificent 2-0 demolition of Real Madrid at the Camp Nou, and the city hasn't stopped celebrating since. Goals from Rashford and Ferran Torres sealed the deal with three matches still to play. Not bad for a team that supposedly couldn't compete anymore.
Hansi Flick managed all this while dealing with unimaginable personal tragedy — his father passed away the morning of the Clásico. The way this squad responded, the unity they showed, speaks volumes about what the German has built here. It's not just tactics. It's culture.
The Usual Suspects Crying
Of course, the Madrid media machine can't help itself. Roberto Gómez had a meltdown about La Masía supposedly teaching kids to hate Madrid. Sneijder popped up to remind everyone we haven't won the Champions League recently, as if winning the league doesn't count. "They celebrate one Liga like they've conquered football," he whined. Rich coming from someone whose last relevant football opinion was in 2010.
Juanma Rodríguez decided to pile on too, claiming Barça has "a terrible inferiority complex." Mate, we just beat you at home to win the title. Who's got the complex?
The best moment? Real Madrid TV going viral right before Ferran's goal. Their commentator was mid-rant when the ball hit the net. Beautiful stuff.
Gavi vs Vinicius: Round 347
Footage emerged of another spat between Gavi and Vinicius during the Clásico. "Juega y cállate," Gavi told him. Play and shut up. Classic. These two can't be within ten meters without starting something. Given how the match went, you can understand Vini's frustration. When you're that thoroughly outplayed, the mouth is all you've got left.
Lamine joined the fun afterward, posting a cheeky response to Bellingham's earlier celebration. The kid's 18 and already knows how to twist the knife. He also flew a Palestine flag during the victory parade, which got Gabriel Rufián's seal of approval and probably gave some suits at the club a headache.
Transfer Talk Heating Up
Alavés on Wednesday is basically a coronation lap at this point. The real intrigue is off the pitch. Alessandro Bastoni remains the defensive target, though Vieri unhelpfully reminded everyone that "nobody's irreplaceable — even Messi left Barça." Thanks for that.
Luka Vuskovic? Dead deal, according to his agent. Eli Junior Kroupi might happen if Bournemouth's price is right. And naturally, Julian Alvarez rumors refuse to die, with multiple European giants supposedly circling Atlético's Argentine.
Marcus Rashford, meanwhile, is being called "a steal" after terrorizing Madrid's defense. The English press is already wondering if we'll make his loan permanent. After Sunday's performance, that's not even a question.
Karl-Heinze Rummenigge thinks Flick will win the Champions League with us. Let's get through the rest of May first, Karl.
What's Next
Alavés away on Wednesday. Tenaglia, one of Quique Sánchez Flores' key men, says they're going to "sweat blood" against us. Admirable spirit. Won't matter much, but admirable nonetheless. We've got the title. The pressure's off. Time to enjoy what's left of this glorious campaign.
