Martínez Munuera Enters the Race to Referee Real Madrid vs Barcelona
The build-up to the next El Clásico has gained an extra talking point, with Spanish referee Juan Martínez Munuera emerging as a possible choice to oversee the meeting between Real Madrid and Barcelona. He is now reportedly in contention alongside Alberola Rojas, who had appeared to be the leading candidate for the high-profile appointment.
The match is scheduled for Sunday, 26 October 2026, and the official referee appointment is expected to be confirmed at midday on Saturday. While the decision will not determine the result, the choice of official is likely to attract close attention from supporters, players and analysts, given the intensity and history surrounding football’s most closely watched domestic rivalry.
Alberola Rojas and Martínez Munuera in contention
According to Mundo Deportivo, the refereeing appointments committee—comprising Fran Soto, Gregorio Manzano and Fernando Teixeira Vitienes—had settled on Alberola Rojas at a meeting on Monday. The newspaper has since reported that Martínez Munuera has moved into the picture, leaving the final decision open ahead of the weekend announcement.
Refereeing a Clásico is one of the most demanding assignments in Spanish football. The official must manage a fast, emotionally charged contest while making decisions that can be replayed and debated around the world. The appointment process therefore considers more than a referee’s recent form: experience, temperament and the ability to handle pressure all matter.
Martínez Munuera has spent 12 years officiating in La Liga and has held FIFA’s international badge since 1 January 2015. He is due to referee his sixth league match of the current season. His previous assignments include Barcelona’s 3–1 victory over Sevilla and Real Madrid’s 4–0 win against Málaga.
A history of decisive Clásico appointments
If selected, Martínez Munuera would take charge of his fifth meeting between Real Madrid and Barcelona. The previous four have produced three Madrid victories and one Barcelona win, a record that is likely to feature in pre-match discussion—though it should not be mistaken for a prediction of what will happen next.
His most recent Clásico was the Spanish Super Cup final in January 2024. Real Madrid won 4–1, claiming the trophy in a match that placed the referee under the spotlight as he managed a major final between two fierce rivals.
Before that, he officiated the second leg of the 2022–23 Copa del Rey semi-final at the Santiago Bernabéu. Real Madrid overturned the tie with a 4–0 win, advancing after a commanding display. That result remains one of the most memorable recent Clásico scorelines in the cup competition.
Barcelona’s sole victory in the four matches refereed by Martínez Munuera came in March 2022. Xavi Hernández’s side won 4–0 at the Bernabéu in the 29th round of the league season. The result was a landmark success for Xavi, marking his first major victory over Real Madrid as Barcelona manager.
The first Clásico he handled took place at Camp Nou on 24 October 2020, when Real Madrid won 3–1. The game is particularly remembered for a penalty awarded to Sergio Ramos, a decision that sparked debate and became one of the defining moments of the match. Such incidents help explain why refereeing decisions in this fixture receive sustained scrutiny long after the final whistle.
What the wider record shows
Martínez Munuera’s overall league record with the two clubs offers additional context. Barcelona have played 37 La Liga matches with him as referee, winning 24, drawing six and losing seven. Two of those defeats came against Real Madrid.
Real Madrid have appeared in 46 league games officiated by Martínez Munuera, recording 30 wins, nine draws and seven defeats. No other club has played as many Spanish league matches under his supervision. These figures reflect a substantial body of experience with both teams, but they do not establish that he favours either side. Results are shaped by many factors, including the opponent, venue, team form and individual match events.
For supporters assessing the fixture, the referee’s previous record may be one element of the pre-match conversation, alongside injuries, tactical choices and the teams’ recent performances. A meaningful football prediction should weigh those broader factors rather than rely on past results under a single official. Referees can influence the rhythm of a contest, but they do not determine its outcome on their own.
Why the appointment matters
El Clásico brings together two clubs with enormous global followings, and every detail—from the starting line-ups to the referee—can become a major story. The official will be expected to keep control of challenges, manage protests and apply the laws consistently in a fixture where the pace and emotional stakes can rise quickly.
Martínez Munuera’s familiarity with both sides could be an advantage if he is chosen. He has extensive La Liga experience and has already handled several high-pressure meetings between the clubs. At the same time, his previous Clásicos include controversial and emphatic moments that will inevitably be revisited as fans consider the appointment.
The decision is expected on Saturday at midday. Until then, Alberola Rojas remains a reported candidate, while Martínez Munuera’s late emergence has added uncertainty to the selection. Whoever receives the assignment will enter a match where attention will extend well beyond the players: every major call is likely to be examined as Real Madrid and Barcelona meet again in one of world football’s defining rivalries.
