SOCCER
Why isn’t Jude Bellingham playing for Real Madrid against Barcelona today?
England international Bellingham won’t be involved in today’s Clásico in the US, as Madrid play the second game of their preseason fixture schedule.
Jude Bellingham is one of a number of Real Madrid stars who will be absent in New Jersey today, as Los Blancos face arch rivals Barcelona in a high-profile preseason friendly at MetLife Stadium.
Bellingham yet to return from summer holiday
Bellingham, 21, remains on vacation after playing his part in England’s run to the final of the European Championship, which was played on July 14.
He will not be involved in Madrid’s summer tour of the United States: he is due to join up with the Spanish club’s preseason preparations on Wednesday August 7, following the 15-time European Champions’ final fixture in the US.
Which other Madrid stars won’t play in Clásico?
Six other Madrid players who were on international duty deep into the summer - Ferland Mendy, Eduardo Camavinga, Aurélien Tchouaméni, Federico Valverde, Dani Carvajal and new signing Kylian Mbappé - will also link up with the squad after their return from the States.
Can Madrid get first US win over Barcelona?
In their second friendly of the preseason period, Madrid take on Barça in the fourth Clásico to have been played on US soil. The LaLiga giants previously met in Stateside friendlies in 2017, 2022 and 2023, with the Catalans winning on each occasion.
Madrid are also without long-term injury victim David Alaba, but three Brazilians - Vinícius Júnior, Rodrygo Goes and Éder Militao - are all in contention to return to action for Los Merengues, after reporting for duty in the US in recent days.
In their opening preseason warm-up, Madrid were beaten 1-0 by AC Milan in a friendly in Chicago on Wednesday July 31, with former Villarreal winger Samu Chukwueze scoring the winner for the Rossoneri.
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Real Madrid vs Barcelona: start time, how to watch
Real Madrid face Barcelona today, Saturday August 3, 2024, with kick-off at MetLife Stadium scheduled for 7pm ET/4pm PT. Viewers in the US will be able to watch the game on ESPN+ and the ESPN app.
Enjoy the action on ESPN+.
You can also follow AS USA’s live-text coverage of the Clásico, which will get underway about an hour ahead of kick-off in East Rutherford.