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Soccer

Xavi Hernandez explains why Barcelona not focused on Jude Bellingham ahead of El Clasico

Xavi Hernandez explains why Barcelona not focused on Jude Bellingham ahead of El ClasicoGetty Images
Barcelona take on Real Madrid on Sunday.

Xavi Hernandez played down the threat of Jude Bellingham ahead of the Spanish Super Cup between Barcelona and Real Madrid.

Barcelona beat Osasuna and Real down their rivals Atletico Madrid earlier in the week in order to decide who would play in Sunday's final in Saudi Arabia.

Speaking at the pre-final press conference, Xavi said: “We are here in Saudi Arabia and all the time everybody respects us, and everybody supports us. We are very happy to be here, and I think Saudi football is going to improve a lot in the next years because they have everything in order to have the best players in the world.

“An El Clasico match with such intensity as this cannot be predicted and its outcome will be played out on the field. We will compete for a cup that we won last year, and last year we played excellently. We will show our opponents that we are hungry and excited to win, but playing against Real Madrid is always a strong match and we will give everything we have to win the title."

Turning to Real's standout player this season, Bellingham, Xavi said Real had too many good players to just focus on the England attacker.

He addded: “We do not focus on one player in Real Madrid because they have many excellent players, led by Jude Bellingham, who is performing at a great level.”

Speaking at his own pre-final press conference, Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti said: “Saudi Arabia is a football-loving country and we have thoroughly enjoyed it here. The atmosphere from the fans will be important. The El Clasico match is important, and the whole world is watching it. There are nerves, but we are excited about the match, and there will be a great physical effort from the players.

“We trained excellently, the team is ready, and we are prepared for this match in a big way, and we are excited for the final.

“We have played against Barcelona many times and we have a lot of experience and know that they have a distinguished midfield and work well.”

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