According to a report by Madrid Universal on Friday, October 23, 2026, Barcelona midfielder Fermin Lopez has taken aim at Real Madrid’s repeated complaints about refereeing decisions ahead of Sunday’s El Clasico, describing the ongoing debate as exhausting.

The 22-year-old insisted that Barcelona have no intention of getting caught up in the controversy, stressing that their attention must remain firmly on preparing for the encounter at Spotify Camp Nou.

Speaking to Teledeporte, as reported by MARCA, Fermin also discussed the challenges facing Hansi Flick’s team and identified Thibaut Courtois and Kylian Mbappe as two of Real Madrid’s biggest threats.

The midfielder, who has become an increasingly important member of Flick’s squad, refused to identify either side as favourites, explaining that both teams have the quality to win. He believes keeping their composure, respecting the details and remaining committed to their playing philosophy will be essential.

Fermin was then asked about Jose Mourinho and Real Madrid’s recent criticism of refereeing decisions, an issue that has generated considerable discussion in the build-up to Sunday’s showdown.

However, the Barcelona midfielder showed little interest in the subject, suggesting that the constant complaints were becoming tiresome. He maintained that his team would rather settle matters through their performances on the pitch than get involved in public disputes.

He also stressed that Barcelona must remain focused on their objectives and avoid allowing off-field arguments to affect their preparations.

Turning his attention to Real Madrid’s playing squad, Fermin acknowledged the quality of their key individuals. He singled out Courtois for his ability to make decisive saves and keep his team in important matches.

The Spaniard also recognised Mbappe’s threat, describing the French forward as someone capable of changing the outcome of a game through his attacking contributions.

Nevertheless, Fermin believes Barcelona must approach the challenge collectively, rather than concentrate exclusively on individual opponents, given the number of dangerous players in Madrid’s squad.

His comments underline Barcelona’s determination to keep their focus on football as they prepare for another fiercely contested El Clasico on Sunday.