Ayuso's pointed remark ignites Real Madrid-Barcelona rivalry

Madrid's President Ayuso sparks controversy with pointed remark towards FC Barcelona during Carvajal's award ceremony. The event, held in Madrid on May 27th, 2025, saw the President of the Community of Madrid, Isabel Díaz Ayuso, present Real Madrid player Dani Carvajal with a prestigious award. During her speech, Ayuso unexpectedly took a moment to address FC Barcelona, stating (in Spanish): "Y ojo que Dani tiene más Champions que el Barcelona en toda su historia." This translates roughly to, "And keep in mind, Dani has more Champions League titles than Barcelona in their entire history." This comment, delivered with a noticeable tone, immediately sparked debate and discussion online. The video clip, shared widely on social media, shows Ayuso's facial expressions and the reaction of the audience, further fueling the controversy. The statement is significant given the intense rivalry between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona, two of the world's most famous football clubs. The comment highlights a point of pride for Real Madrid and subtly criticizes Barcelona's recent Champions League record. The incident underscores the intertwining of politics and sports in Spain and the potential for even seemingly innocuous comments to trigger widespread reactions. Ayuso's words are likely to be analyzed for their political implications, particularly given the upcoming elections.