{"id":22940,"date":"2026-10-25T13:01:09","date_gmt":"2026-10-25T13:01:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/?p=22940"},"modified":"2026-10-25T13:01:13","modified_gmt":"2026-10-25T13:01:13","slug":"el-clasico-steve-mcmanaman-interview","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/el-clasico-steve-mcmanaman-interview","title":{"rendered":"Steve McManaman Speaks to 365Scores Ahead of El Clasico"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Steve McManaman knows what El Clasico feels like from the inside. The former Real Madrid and Liverpool midfielder spoke with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\">365Scores<\/a> ahead of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/football\/team\/fc-barcelona-132\">Barcelona<\/a> vs <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/football\/team\/real-madrid-131\">Real Madrid<\/a> at Spotify Camp Nou and refused the easy prediction. For him, Spain\u2019s biggest rivalry is not decided by table position or reputation. It is decided by execution when the game tightens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rank-math-toc-block\" id=\"rank-math-toc\"><h2>Table of Contents<\/h2><nav><ul><li><a href=\"#el-clasico-on-a-razors-edge\">El Clasico on a razor\u2019s edge<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#the-vinicius-void-and-the-mbappe-factor\">The Vinicius void and the Mbappe factor<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#mc-manamans-ballon-d-or-vote-mbappe-over-yamal\">McManaman\u2019s Ballon d\u2019Or vote: Mbappe over Yamal<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#what-this-means-for-el-clasico\">What this means for El Clasico<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#fa-qs\">FAQs<\/a><ul><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"el-clasico-on-a-razors-edge\">El Clasico on a razor\u2019s edge<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Form and standings often lose their usual weight when these two shirts meet. McManaman made that the starting point of the conversation. He would not crown a clear favourite, and he framed the derby as a match that will turn on the final third and the nerve to live with pressure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s difficult to clearly pick a team to win <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/football\/match\/laliga-11\/fc-barcelona-real-madrid-131-132-11#id=4750514\">El Cl\u00e1sico<\/a>, but the small details will be decisive,\u201d McManaman told 365Scores. \u201cEspecially taking chances and handling pressure in key moments.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That is the Clasico problem in one line. Chances are rare enough that one finish changes the night, and the psychological load is heavy enough that the next action after a miss or a goal often matters as much as the chance itself. McManaman\u2019s reading leaves little room for narrative comfort: whoever manages those moments better wins the argument.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/raphinha-lamine-yamal-1-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"El Clasico, Raphinha + Lamine Yamal\" class=\"wp-image-22951\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/raphinha-lamine-yamal-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/raphinha-lamine-yamal-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/raphinha-lamine-yamal-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/raphinha-lamine-yamal-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/raphinha-lamine-yamal-1-scaled.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">(Photo By Javier Borrego\/Europa Press via Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"the-vinicius-void-and-the-mbappe-factor\">The Vinicius void and the Mbappe factor<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/football\/team\/real-madrid-131\">Real Madrid<\/a> arrive without <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/football\/player\/vinicius-junior-48298\">Vinicius Junior<\/a>, one of the attack\u2019s primary difference-makers. McManaman treated that absence as a major structural hit, not a simple rotation problem, even with Kylian Mbappe available to carry the finishing load.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cVin\u00edcius\u2019 absence will be a major blow,\u201d McManaman explained. \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/football\/player\/kylian-mbappe-39820\">Mbapp\u00e9<\/a> has great abilities, but they are different players, and what Vin\u00edcius brings cannot be replaced simply by bringing in another player.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The distinction matters for how El Clasico is likely to look. Mbappe offers elite finishing and straight-line threat through the middle. Vinicius offers a different kind of chaos from the left: isolation, dribbling pressure, and the ability to force defensive help that opens space for others. McManaman\u2019s point is not that Madrid lack quality. It is that the quality is not interchangeable. Removing Vinicius changes the shape of Madrid\u2019s threat, and that change cannot be erased by slotting another star into the same matchday list.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"mc-manamans-ballon-d-or-vote-mbappe-over-yamal\">McManaman\u2019s Ballon d\u2019Or vote: Mbappe over Yamal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The interview then moved from the derby to the individual race that always sits beside it. With <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/football\/player\/lamine-yamal-131182\">Lamine Yamal\u2019s<\/a> breakout form part of the wider conversation, McManaman still drew a clear line toward experience and decisive weight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI would choose <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/football\/player\/kylian-mbappe-39820\">Kylian Mbapp\u00e9<\/a> to win the Ballon d\u2019Or,\u201d the Englishman stated. \u201cHe can make the difference and has the experience, despite Lamine Yamal\u2019s talent and the outstanding performances he has been delivering.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That vote does not dismiss Yamal. McManaman explicitly credited the teenager\u2019s talent and current output. His preference is about who he trusts to change the biggest nights and who already carries that record. In an El Clasico week, the Ballon d\u2019Or answer also doubles as a Madrid attacking thesis: if Vinicius is missing, the demand on Mbappe to produce the \u201csmall details\u201d rises again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The Takeaway:<\/strong> McManaman backs Mbappe for the Ballon d\u2019Or on difference-making and experience, while still praising Yamal\u2019s form.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/GettyImages-2292717302-1-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-22943\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/GettyImages-2292717302-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/GettyImages-2292717302-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/GettyImages-2292717302-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/GettyImages-2292717302-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/GettyImages-2292717302-1-scaled.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">(Photo by Alvaro Medranda\/Quality Sport Images\/Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"what-this-means-for-el-clasico\">What this means for El Clasico<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Put together, McManaman\u2019s exclusive comments give <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\">365Scores<\/a> a clean preview frame for El Clasico:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Do not expect the table alone to settle Barcelona vs Real Madrid.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Treat Vinicius\u2019s absence as a real tactical problem for Madrid, not a cosmetic one.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Watch whether Mbappe can deliver the decisive actions McManaman says decide these matches.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>That is the week\u2019s story from a player who has lived both sides of the game\u2019s biggest stages: small details, a missing left-sided star, and a Ballon d\u2019Or preference that still lands on Mbappe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"fa-qs\">FAQs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"what-did-steve-mc-manaman-say-about-el-clasico\">What did Steve McManaman say about El Clasico?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>McManaman told 365Scores it is difficult to clearly pick a winner in El Clasico and that small details will be decisive, especially taking chances and handling pressure in key moments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"does-steve-mc-manaman-think-viniciuss-absence-hurts-real-madrid\">Does Steve McManaman think Vinicius\u2019s absence hurts Real Madrid?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Yes. He called Vinicius\u2019s absence a major blow and said Mbappe and Vinicius are different players, so Vinicius\u2019s contribution cannot simply be replaced by another player.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"who-does-steve-mc-manaman-pick-for-the-ballon-d-or\">Who does Steve McManaman pick for the Ballon d\u2019Or?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>McManaman said he would choose Kylian Mbappe to win the Ballon d\u2019Or, citing his ability to make the difference and his experience, while still acknowledging Lamine Yamal\u2019s talent and performances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"why-is-steve-mc-manamans-view-relevant-to-el-clasico\">Why is Steve McManaman\u2019s view relevant to El Clasico?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>McManaman is a former Real Madrid and Liverpool midfielder who won major trophies at club level and spoke exclusively to 365Scores ahead of Barcelona vs Real Madrid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"when-is-el-clasico-between-barcelona-and-real-madrid\">When is El Clasico between Barcelona and Real Madrid?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>El Clasico is scheduled for 25 October 2026 at Spotify Camp Nou, with Barcelona hosting Real Madrid in LaLiga.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"did-mc-manaman-dismiss-lamine-yamal-in-the-ballon-d-or-race\">Did McManaman dismiss Lamine Yamal in the Ballon d\u2019Or race?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>No. He praised Yamal\u2019s talent and outstanding recent performances, but still preferred Mbappe on difference-making and experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"what-is-the-main-theme-of-mc-manamans-el-clasico-interview-with-365-scores\">What is the main theme of McManaman\u2019s El Clasico interview with 365Scores?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>That El Clasico will be decided by fine margins in chance-taking and pressure moments, while Real Madrid must cope with a Vinicius-shaped hole that Mbappe cannot fully replicate.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Steve McManaman knows what El Clasico feels like from the inside. The former Real Madrid and Liverpool midfielder spoke with 365Scores ahead of Barcelona vs Real Madrid at Spotify Camp Nou and refused the easy prediction. For him, Spain\u2019s biggest rivalry is not decided by table position or reputation. It is decided by execution when &hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":52,"featured_media":22942,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rank_math_title":"McManaman on El Clasico: Details Decide","rank_math_description":"Steve McManaman tells 365Scores why El Clasico hinges on small details, Vinicius\u2019s absence hurts Real Madrid, and why he picks Mbappe for the Ballon d\u2019Or.","rank_math_canonical_url":"","rank_math_focus_keyword":"El Clasico","rank_math_facebook_image":"","rank_math_robots":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[2340,9],"tags":[1019,146,160,59,5749],"content-tags":[],"article_type":[3332],"entity_type":[3333,3336],"inspiration":[3337,3340],"class_list":["post-22940","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-la-liga","category-soccer","tag-el-clasico","tag-fc-barcelona","tag-la-liga","tag-real-madrid","tag-steve-mcmanaman","article_type-seo","entity_type-athlete","entity_type-match","inspiration-365s-articles","inspiration-relevancy-trending"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22940","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/52"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=22940"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22940\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":22958,"href":"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22940\/revisions\/22958"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/22942"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=22940"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=22940"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=22940"},{"taxonomy":"content-tags","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/content-tags?post=22940"},{"taxonomy":"article_type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/article_type?post=22940"},{"taxonomy":"entity_type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/entity_type?post=22940"},{"taxonomy":"inspiration","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/inspiration?post=22940"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}