Football rivalries don't come much bigger than El Clasico, and there are millions of fans around the world who dream of witnessing these two juggernauts go head-to-head.
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FC Barcelona vs Real Madrid History
These teams have a long and storied history of more than 120 years. FC Barcelona was founded in 1899, three years before the birth of Real Madrid, though it wasn't until the 1930s this became a regular fixture in the Spanish football calendar.
The Primera División, or La Liga as it's known today, was formed in 1929 and right from the off Barcelona and Real Madrid were among the top contenders to be crowned champions of the Spanish top flight. Barca won the inaugural edition of the league though Los Blancos soon swayed matters in their favour and the Madrid-based club has gone on to assert itself as the most successful team in European football.
Barcelona reemerged following the end of WWII before Real Madrid enjoyed a sustained period of dominance in the 1950s and 60s, with Barca mostly playing second fiddle during this period in which these clubs also boasted some of the finest players of their generation – including Alfredo di Stéfano and Ferenc Puskás for Real Madrid, and Luis Suárez for Barca.
The tide shifted in the 90s when Barcelona claimed four consecutive La Liga titles. Under the tutelage of Johan Cruyff, La Blaugrana was populated with world-class talent from abroad, namely Brazil forward Romário and Netherlands defender Ronald Koeman, as well as Spain internationals Pep Guardiola and Txiki Begiristain.
Real Madrid responded in spectacular fashion, embarking on what has become known as the era of the Galácticos. Following victory in the Real Madrid presidency election in 2000, Florentino Pérez promised to recruit international superstars and he did just that, starting with Portugal striker Luís Figo from arch-rivals Barcelona.
The likes of Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldo Nazário, David Beckham arrived at the Santiago Bernabeu in subsequent years. The transfer of France hero Zidane from Juventus to Real Madrid cost a world record transfer fee of €77.5m in 2001.
The summer of 2009 saw the spending spree in full flow, and it came immediately after Lionel Messi and co. had guided Barcelona to an illustrious Treble under manager Pep Guardiola. The quartet of Kaká, Karim Benzema, Xabi Alonso, and Cristiano Ronaldo joined Los Blancos. The acquisition of Cristiano set Real Madrid back a world record €94m, and his arrival came just three days after Kaká had completed a €67m move to the Spanish capital.
These teams continue to attract the world's best footballers, with Sergio Agüero and Robert Lewandowski among the many high-profile strikers who have run out for Barca in recent years. Real Madrid, meanwhile, have been represented by pros such as Luka Modrić and Gareth Bale. In addition, some of the very best coaches in football have been in charge of either of these teams, including Johan Cruyff and Carlo Ancelotti.
El Clasico Stats and Mutual Connections
Lionel Messi is the most prolific goalscorer in the history of this derby, with no fewer than 26 goals against Real Madrid. Meanwhile, Alfredo di Stéfano and Cristiano Ronaldo netted 18 goals apiece versus Barca in El Clasico.
There are even a handful of players who have worn the colours of both Barcelona and Real Madrid, despite the intense rivalry between the teams.
- Michael Laudrup
- Luis Enrique
- Luís Figo
- Ronaldo Nazário
FC Barcelona vs Real Madrid Head-to-Head
There have been more than 250 competitive matches in what is widely considered to be the greatest and most popular rivalry in world football.
Luís Figo was on the scoresheet when Barca cruised to a 3-0 win in this fixture during the 1997/98 season. There was an identical scoreline the following season, as Rivaldo rounded off the scoring and La Blaugrana went on to win a sixth La Liga title in nine years.
And who can forget the 5-0 thumping in November 2010? Guardiola's side inflicted a humiliating defeat at Camp Nou, shipping five goals past Los Blancos just a few months into the tenure of José Mourinho as Real Madrid boss.
In October 2023, Jude Bellingham scored twice (including in stoppage-time winner) to earn a precious comeback victory for Real Madrid on Catalan soil. İlkay Gündoğan had put the home side ahead inside the opening 10 minutes.
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