Real Madrid vs Mallorca will miss the spark of the most anticipated rivalry this season | OneFootball

As Real Madrid gear up to face Mallorca in their third La Liga fixture of the 2025/26 season, one of the most talked-about duels of recent years will be absent.

For the past few seasons, every clash between these two sides has been highlighted by the fierce on-field rivalry between Vinicius Jr. and Pablo Maffeo.

From strong tackles to heated exchanges, the battle between the Brazilian forward and the Mallorcan right-back has often stolen the headlines.

However, this Saturday’s clash at the Santiago Bernabéeu will be different. Maffeo is expected to miss the match entirely, with his future at Mallorca up in the air.

The defender has asked to leave the club and has not featured in either of Mallorca’s first two games of the season.

While he played a few minutes during pre-season, he has since been training separately from the squad. His departure now seems to be only a matter of time.

A rivalry full of sparks

The Vinicius-Maffeo rivalry has produced countless flashpoints over the years. On the pitch, Maffeo has often been tasked with containing the explosive Brazilian, sometimes using aggressive tactics to unsettle him.

Their duels have included everything from tough fouls to mocking gestures.

One of the most memorable incidents came when Maffeo made a crying gesture at Vinicius after the winger appealed for a penalty.

The Real Madrid star, in return, once fired back after a Supercopa clash, telling Maffeo: “You’re terrible and you’re going home.”

The rivalry has extended off the pitch as well. Maffeo has not shied away from criticising Vinicius in interviews and media appearances, accusing him of “crying too much” and mocking how Madrid-based outlets defend their star player.

But this weekend, that extra layer of drama will be missing.

Without Maffeo, the spotlight will fall purely on the football itself, as Real Madrid look to continue their strong start to the campaign while Mallorca search for stability amid uncertainty over one of their most controversial players.