Real Madrid and Barcelona's final under De Burgos' whistle... Will history repeat itself?

Real Madrid does not know the taste of tranquility when led by the referee Ricardo De Burgos Bengoetxea, who is tasked with managing the upcoming Spanish King's Cup final between the rivals Real Madrid and Barcelona at the "La Cartuja" stadium in Seville. Despite "Los Blancos" winning 17 out of 25 matches officiated by this referee for the capital team, his presence in big matches is not without controversy and anger-inducing decisions, especially in El Clásico matches. The Spanish referee, known for his strong and controversial presence in El Clásico, has officiated three matches between Real Madrid and Barcelona, with the royal team losing two and winning only one. One of the most tense moments still lingering in the minds of Madridistas is when he sent off Cristiano Ronaldo in the first leg of the 2017-2018 Spanish Super Cup final after receiving two yellow cards, one of them for pushing the referee, a scene that still provokes anger and is constantly shown in Madrid media. Ronaldo was not the only one to receive a red card under De Burgos' management, as Brazilian Vinicius Junior was also sent off in a match against Valencia in the second leg of the 2022-2023 season, after a high tension game at Mestalla stadium. Real Madrid's official channel did not miss the opportunity, reposting a video documenting the referee's mistakes in the team's matches this season, the latest being during the Spanish Super Cup semi-final, which the royal club won 3-0, hinting at a repetition of decisions that raised many questions. As Spanish football fans prepare for another fiery final between the two giants, De Burgos' appointment to officiate this summit seems to have added an extra tension, especially with a history full of controversial decisions that some see as influential in the course of El Clásico.