There is a reason it is called ‘El Clasico’. When Real Madrid and Barcelona meet, the whole world stops.
Few rivalries are so strong without geography, and while it feels strange to class this game as a derby, it is a clash in almost every sense of the word.
While it is by no means the only match with a political edge, the Clasico is perhaps the purest form of such a meeting. In Spain, there is real bad blood between the two cities, Barcelona and Madrid, thanks to former leader of the country General Franco’s treatment of Catalonia. To this day, some in the region campaign for independence from the rest of the nation, meaning every time these clubs lock horns it is a tasty encounter.
On the pitch, traditionally, the two clubs represent different ideologies. Barcelona have become known for religiously sticking to one style of football, breeding talent after talent from their youth academy, while Real have portrayed what they are, the Royal’s club, by signing the very best players for the highest transfer fees.
The individual rivalry between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo also follows that pattern, with Ronaldo moving to Madrid for a previous world-record $90million and Messi working his way up through the system at the Camp Nou.
As they prepare to face off again on Saturday, it is Real Madrid who go in as favourites, but Barcelona can never be counted out.
Here are five reasons why the Blaugrana will come out victorious this weekend.