Real Madrid and Barcelona aren’t always Spain’s two biggest clubs
Along with Barcelona, Madrid are considered one of Spain’s ‘big two,’ but their Copa del Rey record isn’t as good as you might think.
It’s probably not too controversial to suggest Real Madrid and Barcelona are Spain two biggest soccer clubs, based on a number of different metrics, from trophies won, to national and global fanbase, to annual revenue and overall valuation. However, if we were to use Copa del Rey victories as the barometer, one of the Clásico rivals would be bumped down into third spot.
How many times have Real Madrid won the Copa del Rey?
Real Madrid travel to Leganés in the quarterfinals of the 2024/25 Copa del Rey on Wednesday (February 5) looking to keep their hopes of winning the competition for the 21st time alive.
Hoy se viene, hoy se juega, un partidazo de Copa.
— RFEF (@rfef) February 5, 2025
⚽️ @CDLeganes 🆚 @realmadrid
🏟️ Municipal de Butarque
⏰ 21:00 horas
ℹ️ Síguelo en directo a través de @MovistarFutbol, en https://t.co/tP49bAAmLX y nuestras redes sociales.#LaCopaMola🏆 | #CopaDelReyMAPFRE pic.twitter.com/AyEj1AoZ75
Barça, meanwhile, are also still in this year’s tournament, with a last-eight tie away to Valencia up next as they go in search of a record 32nd triumph in the Spanish cup.
Despite the Catalans having won the Copa del Rey 11 times more than their eternal foes, many would still expect Real Madrid to be second on the all-time list of successes. For a little context, Los Blancos have won LaLiga 36 times compared to Barcelona’s 27, with Atlético Madrid, the next most successful team, a long way behind on just 11.
The surprise team that has won the Copa del Rey more than Real Madrid
Surprisingly, however, that isn’t the case in the Copa del Rey. Sandwiched between the Clásico duo with 24 victories is Athletic Club, who most recently added to their haul just last season, when they defeated Mallorca in the final.
Incredibly, however, Athletic hadn’t won the Spanish cup before then since 1983/84, when they registered their 23rd victory. At that point, the Basques were the most decorated team in the competition, ahead of Barcelona (20 wins) and Madrid (15).
✨ The stage is set! pic.twitter.com/7YBZU0C8yL
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) February 5, 2025
Madrid’s shock Copa del Rey record
In recent seasons, Real Madrid have regularly won the Champions League, with six triumphs in the last 11 seasons. By contrast, they have lifted the Copa del Rey only four times in 35 years, which very much shows where their main focus lies.
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