El Clásico celebrity fans: Who supports Real Madrid and Barcelona?

There are few fixtures, in any sport, that draw the world’s attention like El Clásico.

Every time Real Madrid and Barcelona meet it reignites a long-running feud between the two biggest sports teams in Spain. But the El Clásico rivalry goes far deeper than that, with cultural, political and historical ties that cut across Spain’s two major cities.

When the two teams meet again on Sunday, October 26 tens of millions of soccer fans around the world will tune in to watch. Which such enormous global appeal, there are more than a few celebrity fans. Here’s a look at the A-List fans...

Which celebrities support Real Madrid?

Rafael Nadal

Rafael Nadal is one of the best tennis players that the game has ever known and the Spaniard has won just about every trophy imaginable, not unlike his beloved Real Madrid.

Despite being born in Manacor on the island of Palma and his uncle, Miguel Ángel Nadal, having spent eight seasons as a centre-back at FC Barcelona, the tennis icon became a ‘Madridista’ from an early age and is a regular at the Santiago Bernabéu.

In 2022, the tennis star was even invited to take the honorary kick-off at the Bernabéu ahead of Madrid’s league game against Espanyol - a game which saw them club crowned champions of Spain for a record 35th time.

Joel Embiid

The NBA star makes no secret of his allegiance to Real Madrid with countless posts on his social media accounts. Embiid is a keen fan of soccer in general and provides his followers with regular updates on the developments in the game including posts on events in the Premier League.

Embiid will be glued to a television screen as the players take to the pitch on Sunday and will be hoping that Real Madrid can secure another win in the fixture.

Luka Doncic

The Los Angeles Lakers superstar is another high profile NBA Real Madrid supporter and he has closer links to the club than most celebrity fans. The Slovenian spent three years with Madrid’s basketball team before making the move to the Dallas Mavericks in 2018.

The point guard was asked about his sporting allegiances by Shaq O’Neal on TNT back in 2021 and the Ljubljana-born player replied: “Of course, you know I was [at Real Madrid] for several years and you know, that’s my team in both basketball and soccer”.

Fernando Alonso

Two-time Formula One world champion Fernando Alonso supports two clubs - his hometown club Real Oviedo and Real Madrid. As he has explained on numerous occasions: “I was born in Oviedo, I’m an Oviedo fan but a little more towards Real Madrid. If I was a footballer, then I would like to play for Real Madrid, the team I support and love. Driving for McLaren is like playing for Real Madrid.”

Which celebrities are Barcelona fans?

Just like their capital counterparts, the club’s legendary status in the game has seen on-field greats like Johan Cruyff, Diego Maradona Maradona, Ronaldinho, Xavi, Iniesta and Lionel Messi inspire and excite millions of supporters across the globe. And this has included celebrities from across industries including Spanish actress Andrea Duro, reggaeton singer Nicky Jam, One Direction’s Niall Horan and Louis Tomlinson, Snoop Dogg, and the late, great Kobe Bryant. Here are a few more...

Bill Gates

The US philanthropist has made a number of visits to the Camp Nou and met with club presidents and players.

Alex Morgan

The record-breaking USWNT striker has not played for Barça but she is known to be an avid fan of the Camp Nou side. There was, at one point, rumors that she might end up in Barcelona before completing a move to Lyon. Instead, she has had to admire the team from afar.

Lady Gaga

The superstar singer and now Oscar-nominated actress surprised fans by donning a Barça shirt during a concert.

Magic Johnson

The NBA legend visited Camp Nou a few years ago. Maybe his appearance in the city with the US Dream Team in the ’90s had an influence.

So, hopefully your favorite celebrity away from the game doesn’t mean you’re now torn about who to follow when El Clásico comes around.

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