Tchouaméni's criminal tackle leaves Barça without Espart
In the ninth minute of the Clasico, the referee had barely blown the whistle when Aruélien Tchouaméni, with an excessively forceful tackle, struck the ankle of Barça's young full‑back, Xavi Espart, leaving him lying on the pitch at the Santiago Bernabéu and provoking a furious reaction among the fans and the coaching staff.
The match ended 1-2 in favour of Real Madrid, but the most talked‑about episode was the loss of the 19‑year‑old full‑back, Xavi Espart, who had been one of Barça's most in‑form players. Espart's absence forces the coach to look for an immediate alternative on the left flank.
At nine minutes, referee Juan Martínez Munuera did not show a yellow card to the Frenchman Aruélien Tchouaméni, despite the challenge being clearly violent. José Mourinho, on the bench, protested angrily, but the referee stuck to his decision. The lack of a caution sparked a wave of criticism towards the referee's performance.
Diagnosis and seven‑week layoff
Barça's medical statement confirmed a injury to the syndesmosis of Espart's right ankle. According to the report, the absence will be roughly seven weeks, cutting the young player's progression. The diagnosis also mentions swelling and the need for intensive physiotherapy.
Espart had recently stood out, scoring a goal against PSG and neutralising Kvaratskhelia, as well as playing a key role in marking Diomande and containing Mbappé's forays against Real Madrid. His performances had caught the coaching staff's eye, who saw him as a prospect for the upcoming European matches.
Outrage on social media
Barça supporters vented their fury on X, describing the challenge as a “criminal tackle” and demanding a harsher sanction. Comments such as “No card shown!” and “two months out for Espart” multiplied within hours. Some users even called on LaLiga to intervene and review the incident.
In its brief statement, the club referred to a “traumatic action involving an opponent”, without naming Tchouaméni directly, but the reference was clear to all. The release, drafted by Pere Punti and journalist José Luis Artús, underscored the seriousness of the incident. The club reiterated that it will continue to monitor the player's recovery and will take any necessary measures.
Espart's injury leaves Barça without a key defensive piece, complicating their plans for the next phase of the league and raising doubts about the team's ability to maintain its offensive rhythm. This episode reignites the debate over protecting young talents in high‑level clashes.