Old rivals - FC Barcelona and Real Madrid - collide again in a meeting of the world’s biggest club sides.
Despite an empty stadium, the El Clasico will still be a spectacle, as the two old rivals - FC Barcelona and Real Madrid - collide again in a meeting of the world’s biggest club sides.
Neither have been convincing in recent months, as Barca pick themselves up after a horror 2019-20 season and the Lionel Messi leaving the club saga.
As for the clash, Real Madrid won the last meeting between these two back in March. However, their limitations and vulnerabilities were exposed in their 3-2 Champions League defeat by Shakhtar Donetsk.
Barcelona, on the other hand, are riding high after a 5-1 thumping of Hungarian heavyweights Ferencvaros.
Before this new edition, a look at the top 5 memorable moments betweent the two sides
1. Figo’s visit to Camp Nou in Madrid color
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The betrayal Barca fans faced when Luis Figo transferëd from Barcelona to arch-rivals Real Madrid wasn’t the smoothest. Figo made his name at Barcelona and was considered as one of the best in the world before he moved to Santiago Bernabéu.
The Portuguese midfielder scored 45 goals in 246 appearances for the Catalans and also helped them win two consecutive La Liga titles and two Copa del Reys.
However, Florentino Pérez contacted Figo’s agent, Jose Veiga and both had a deal. The deal was if Perez wins the Real Madrid presidency election then the Portuguese will play for Los Blancos and if he loses the election then Figo will get €1 million.
But Perez told Real Madrid board that he has Figo signing in hand and it excited the fans. During presidency election in 2000, Perez turned the tables and won the elections.
At the same time, Figo had sported with Barcelona jersey in hand and the tagline read I’m not leaving Barcelona.
However, there was one more deal – If Perez won the election and Figo didn’t join Los Blancos, then the Portuguese would pay €30 million to Real Madrid.
Now unable to pay Madrid and Perez triggered his release clause of €60 million, it made him the most expensive player at that time.
Later, Figo went on to play against Barcelona in 2002 El Clasico and fans got furious and took out their anger.
When Figo was taking the corner kick, fans started throwing whiskey bottles, food, and worst of all, someone threw a pig’s head.
After this Real Madrid players went off the field with the game being stopped for some time. The players were back on the field after the crowd mellowed and the match ended at 0-0.
2. Ronaldinho receiving standing ovation at Bernabeu
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Ronaldinho - one of the finest players to play for Barcelona - got a standing ovation from a section of Real Madrid fans at the Bernabeu for his stunning individual goal.
It was a sensational bit of individual skill which left defenders bamboozled. Iker Casillas could not do anything and the brilliance of the smiling Ronaldinho was recognized by the crowd.
3. Lionel Messi's hat-trick in the 2006-07 season
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While Ronaldinho was still the most important player for Barca in the 2006-07 season, another South American footballer shot to immense fame in this game against Madrid.
A young Messi scored a sensational hat-trick and it was this moment that they realized that the footballer could become a world-class player.
The great performance was unable to help Barcelona win the La Liga, it sure got the Catalans one of the greatest ever players despite being only 24 years of age.
4. Barcelona give Real Madrid the Guard of Honour
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Barcelona and Madrid - know to be fierce rivals - saw the former side facing humiliation when the Catalans had to give them the guard of honour.
It is a Spanish tradition to give the team which wins the title the guard of honour in the next game of the season.
Madrid had gone further and humiliate them 4-1 and clinched the title in style. However, this had also sparked the arrival of Pep Guardiola and the succession of plenty of trophies for Barca.
5. Cristiano Ronaldo's goal in Copa Del Rey Final
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While Copa Del Rey is not as important as the La Liga or Champions League, however if its a victory over rivals, then its sweet.
This victory was even more significant as it was the first victory by Madrid over Barcelona since the arrival of Pep Guardiola as the manager. Also, it led to Madrid's first trophy win under Jose Mourinho.
Real Madrid had a trophy-less season and it was demoralising for the team and to win the Copa Del Rey was significant.
The goal by Cristiano Ronaldo only sealed the deal and the team further grew in strength in the 2010-11 season.
