Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea, a prominent Spanish football referee, has been thrust into the spotlight as the designated official for the 2025 Copa del Rey final, pitting rivals Real Madrid and Barcelona against each other in the iconic El Clásico. Known for his experience in La Liga and international matches, de Burgos Bengoetxea’s appointment to this high-stakes match has sparked both anticipation and controversy. This article dives into who Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea is, his career, and why his role in the Copa del Rey final is significant.
Refereeing Career
Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea began his refereeing journey in 2011, officiating matches in Spain’s Segunda División. His talent and professionalism earned him a promotion to La Liga, the country’s top football league, in 2015. His first La Liga match as a referee was on August 23, 2015, between Levante and Celta Vigo, marking the start of a notable career in elite football.
In 2017, de Burgos Bengoetxea officiated the first leg of the Supercopa de España between Barcelona and Real Madrid, a match remembered for the controversial expulsion of Cristiano Ronaldo. This early experience with El Clásico highlighted his ability to handle intense, high-pressure encounters. Since then, he has refereed multiple Clásico matches, including the 2022 Supercopa de España final and a 2023 La Liga clash, solidifying his reputation as a trusted official for major fixtures.
In 2018, de Burgos Bengoetxea was added to the FIFA referees list, earning the status of a UEFA first-category referee. His first senior international match came on October 10, 2019, during a UEFA Euro 2020 qualifier between Belarus and Estonia. While he has officiated in UEFA club and international competitions, he has yet to referee in the UEFA Champions League or FIFA tournaments, a point of criticism raised by some media outlets.
The Copa del Rey Final 2025
The 2025 Copa del Rey final, held on April 26 at Estadio de La Cartuja in Seville, is a pivotal moment for de Burgos Bengoetxea. As the referee for this El Clásico showdown, he faces immense scrutiny, amplified by a controversial video released by Real Madrid TV. The video questioned his impartiality, citing a 64% win rate for Real Madrid compared to an 81% win rate for Barcelona in matches he has officiated, along with alleged errors. This led to significant backlash, with de Burgos Bengoetxea emotionally addressing the personal toll of such criticism during a pre-match press conference.
In a tearful statement, de Burgos Bengoetxea shared the impact of the criticism on his family, particularly his son, who faced abuse at school with peers calling his father a “thief.” He emphasized his commitment to honesty and called for reflection on the treatment of referees, stating, “What I do is try to educate my son, to say that his father is honest, above all honest, who can make mistakes, like any sportsperson.” His remarks, alongside those of VAR official Pablo González Fuertes, sparked a heated response from Real Madrid, who labeled the referees’ statements “unacceptable” and demanded action from the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF).
Despite Real Madrid’s desire to have de Burgos Bengoetxea replaced, the RFEF upheld his appointment, citing his experience and the impracticality of a last-minute change. His history of officiating 31 Barcelona matches (25 wins, 1 draw, 5 losses) and 25 Real Madrid matches (17 wins, 4 draws, 4 losses) underscores his familiarity with both teams, making him a logical choice for the final.
