Rafael Nogueira
Referee With History: Munuera Montero Returns for Supercopa Final
José Luis Munuera Montero will take charge of his third El Clásico this Sunday when Barcelona and Real Madrid face off in the Supercopa de España final (20:00 CET, Movistar+). The 42-year-old Andalusian official – known for his contentious past with Jude Bellingham – will be assisted by Daniel Trujillo Suárez on VAR duties.
Munuera Montero’s last Clásico came nearly three years ago, a 0-1 Copa del Rey semifinal defeat for Real Madrid on 2 March 2023. His debut in the fixture arrived earlier, in January 2022, when Los Blancos edged Barça 3-2 in extra time during the Supercopa semifinals.
- Also read: Barcelona vs Real Madrid Prediction, Betting Odds & Tips – Supercopa de España Final 2026
Recent Form and Head-to-Head Stats
This season marks Munuera Montero’s second assignment with Barcelona, following their 3-0 LaLiga opener win at Mallorca. Across 28 matches, his record against the Blaugrana stands at 18 wins, 4 draws, 6 losses, and 2 red cards. His most recent loss for Barça came in January 2024 – a 3-5 collapse at Villarreal.
Real Madrid has fared better under his watch: 16 wins, 2 draws, 2 losses, and 2 expulsions in 20 matches. His sole outing with Los Blancos this season saw a 1-0 victory at Getafe, marred by Allan Nyom’s dismissal. Beyond the Copa del Rey loss to Barcelona, his other defeat for Madrid dates to 6 January 2019, a 0-2 home defeat to Real Sociedad.
The Bellingham Incident: A Feud That Won’t Fade
The referee’s relationship with Bellingham remains a subplot. In February 2025, Munuera Montero sent off the England midfielder during a 0-0 draw at Osasuna, after Bellingham directed an expletive at him. The fallout was immediate – Real Madrid TV and sections of the media amplified criticism, prompting Munuera Montero to address the backlash on COPE radio:
“They’re vilifying my nephews, harassing my nine siblings. My 80-year-old father went to mass today and – better I stop. What are we creating? How can we print these barbarities? Are we insane? Do we control violence or fuel it? This is spiraling. What sport are we building with football?”
Sunday’s final offers Munuera Montero a chance to reset narratives. For Barcelona and Real Madrid, it’s another chapter in a rivalry where margins are razor-thin – and the man in the middle will be under the microscope.