The aim of this article is to understand how the online sport journalism in Spain manufactures conflict narratives on Real Madrid versus Barcelona football matches. The clásico has been frequently framed as a clash between two national identities that goes beyond its sportive dimension. Following Whannel’s concept of ‘vortextuality’ in relation to ‘celebrity culture’ and Boyle’s concept of ‘quote culture’, and by means of a case study, this paper challenges the presumed national identity approach in journalistic discourse and frames the rivalry as a narrative dispute between their main characters. Contrary to the common belief, the results suggest the self-sufficiency of the sporting competition to create conflict and the comparatively minor role the social context plays in media narratives.