The first ELDERBI DE MADRID of the 2025/26 LALIGA EA SPORTS season is set to take place on Saturday, when Atlético de Madrid will host Real Madrid at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano. Over the years, some of the most talented South American players have featured in this particular fixture, with a handful of Brazilian and Argentinian stars currently plying their trade in the two cross-city rivals. From Vinícius to Julián Alvarez, here’s a look at the South American internationals who are expected to light up the upcoming derby. Click this link https://a.meridianbet.ke/c/C7pYjz to start gaming and stand a chance of winning big with Meridianbet.
Real Madrid’s Brazilian contingent
Los Blancos’ decision to invest in prodigious footballers from Brazil saw the club spend big to bring in Vinícius, Rodrygo and Endrick. The former joined Real Madrid in 2018 and gradually turned into one of the finest players in Europe, leading Los Blancos to three league titles and two Champions League trophies, having scored in each of the two finals he has participated in.
Having signed from Santos one year later, Rodrygo was also an important cog in Carlo Ancelotti’s well-oiled machine. The talented forward became a game changer at the Bernabéu by scoring some important goals in Real Madrid’s outstanding Champions League run that ended with the silverware in 2021/22.
As for Endrick, the 19-year-old forward has already broken several records with the Brazilian national team after becoming the youngest player to earn a senior call-up since former Real Madrid star Ronaldo in 1994. Having recovered from an injury that sidelined him for over four months, Endrick was on the bench in the home clash against RCD Espanyol and could be at Xabi Alonso’s disposal on Saturday.
Another Brazilian who has left his mark at Real Madrid is Éder Militão, who has become the leader of the team’s defence over the last few years. Having recovered from a long-term injury, the Brazilian centre-back has contributed the most in Real Madrid’s current six-game winning streak, including a thunderous strike from outside the box in the 2-0 victory over RCD Espanyol.
Yet, Brazil is not the only South American country represented in Real Madrid’s squad, as earlier in the summer Los Blancos brought in Argentina international Franco Mastantuono from River Plate. Having made his debut off the bench in the season opener against CA Osasuna, the 18-year-old attacking midfielder has already made five appearances across all competitions this season. It now remains to be seen whether he will be given the nod against an Atlético de Madrid featuring a bunch of his national-team colleagues.
Simeone’s Argentinian Atleti
Atlético de Madrid’s 2025/26 squad consists of as many as six Argentina internationals. Julián Alvarez joined last season from Manchester City to become a mainstay in the team’s attack, where he has been joined by Thiago Almada and Nicolás González in the summer. Having finished second in Atlético de Madrid’s league scoring charts with 17 goals last season, Alvarez has recorded a goal and one assist so far this term.
Having joined on loan from Juventus, González began his Atleti spell in style by netting on his debut to lead the team to a 2-0 home victory over Villarreal CF on Matchday 4. Meanwhile, Almada hit the ground running with a solid display against RCD Espanyol, but he suffered an injury that has sidelined him since the last international break. After taking his first footballing steps at Vélez Sarsfield, Almada joined Atlanta United and took the MLS by storm. A move to Botafogo was followed by his first attempt in Europe, as he joined Lyon on loan for the second half of last season before securing a move to the Riyadh Air Metropolitano.
At Los Rojiblancos, he has joined forces with backup goalkeeper Juan Musso, right-back Nahuel Molina and Diego Simeone’s son, Giuliano. Musso joined Atleti on loan from Atalanta last term before his transfer was made permanent in the summer. Molina signed from Udinese in 2022, just a few months before becoming a world champion with Argentina.
As for Giuliano Simeone, he climbed up the ranks at the Atlético de Madrid academy before loan spells at Real Zaragoza and Deportivo Alavés. Following his return to his parent club, the young Simeone gradually broke into the first team’s starting line-up, making as many as 33 league appearances last term. On Saturday, he is expected to spearhead Atlético de Madrid’s attack along with his compatriots, Alvarez and González, in their bid to earn victory against Real Madrid’s Brazilian contingent.
