The Brazilian ace is set to miss the Bernabeu trip after being banned for three games for sarcastically applauding a referee.

Barcelona continue their fight to have Neymar back and available for El Clasico. This time, the Blaugrana have taken their case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport with the hope of having the Brazilian’s ban revoked.

The 25-year-old was sent off in the 2-0 loss to Malaga in La Liga earlier this month. The former Santos ace picked up two yellows and was thus asked to leave the pitch. However, the Selecao ace sarcastically applauded the fourth referee.

The Catalan giants lodged an initial appeal to the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) to have Neymar available for the Santiago Bernabeu trip. However, that appeal was rejected, leaving Barca with a race against time.

The club announced via their official website: “With the Appeal Committee dismissing FC Barcelona's appeal for the three-match suspension of Neymar Jr, the Club will appeal the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).”

Luis Enrique will have his fingers crossed over their appeal, as the defending Spanish Primera Division champions need their key attacker. Having crashed out of the Champions League, La Liga is the only top trophy in Barca’s reach.

If they fail to win, the Blaugrana can kiss their title goodbye. They trail their bitter rivals by three points despite having played a game extra, meaning this tie could be the title-decider.