El Clasico is arguably the biggest match in the footballing world played between two giants of the game FC Barcelona and Real Madrid. Both teams have faced each other 245 times, with Real leading the head-to-head stat with the smallest of margins with 97 wins and 96 wins are to the name of Catalan side with 52 of the ties have resulted in draws.
This tie has always lived up to its expectation and has produced some memorable moments; although it was hard to pick out the top moments in El Clasico history here are the top El Clasico Moments:
1. Copa Del Ray final 2014
Real Madrid fans will remember that game as the one where Gareth Bale turned on the jets and ran past Marc Bartra, despite the defender pushing him five yards out of bounds, to score the game-winner in the 85th minute. This was undoubtedly a brilliant Best El Clasico Moments, and so it makes it on our list.
2. 2011 UCL Semi-final
Barcelona and Real Madrid have each other only once in the UCL since Messi’s debut. What was so unique about these ties was that Real and Barca played each other four times in 17 days. Real were high on confidence, having won the Copa del Ray, but Lionel Messi had other plans. Messi scored a late brace showing exactly what he is capable of. The 2nd tie ended in a 1-1 draw. But this tie is solely remembered for Messi’s magic.
3. Real Madrid 2-6 Barcelona
The Santiago Bernabeu has been perhaps the most troublesome stadiums to play in for rivals. Yet, Barcelona demonstrated how great they were when they dispatched Real Madrid by six goals to two at the home of Madrid. This match showed the gulf between the two sides had risen so much, paving the way for a change in policy for Real having them bring superstars like Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka.
4. Starting off the Messi era
Even though Ronaldinho was one of Barcelona’s most important players in the 2006-07 season and the Brazilian magician had the world at his feet. However, another South American footballer, a bit short in stature, shot to immense fame in this game against Madrid as young Messi scored a sensational hat-trick. It was the moment that they realized that they had a star at their hand. Messi could go on to become a world-class player like Ronaldinho. Though this magnificent performance didn’t help Barcelona win the league title, he would later go on to be one of Barcelona’s greatest ever players.
5. Ronaldinho’s standing ovation at Bernabeu
There aren’t many footballers who get standing ovation from rival fans, but Ronaldinho wasn’t like many; he was in a class of his own. Everything he did on the pitch was magical. He produced one of those moments of magic against Real, having scored a brilliant individual goal for which Real players could do nothing about, and made the opposition fans stand on their feet. It was an El Clasico Moments of pure respect from the Real fans who put their association aside and commended the person who had just produced a moment of magic against their team.
6. Figo’s Betrayal
El Clasico has produced many ugly moments, but this right here is the betrayal of betrayals. Figo, having helped Barcelona win 2 La Liga titles and Copa del Ray, each swapped colours to their bitter rivals Real Madrid. Barcelona’s fans were so furious that when Figo took a corner in his first El Clasico, a ferocious fan threw a pig’s head.
7. Madrid Revenge 1994-95
Having lost 5-0 to Barcelona the previous season, Real was ready to take their revenge, and they didn’t disappoint their fans. Up stepped Chile striker Ivan Zamorano and became the tie’s hero with a hat-trick, but this tie wasn’t decided by individual brilliance. It was a complete team performance and the Best El Clasico history moment.
8. Cruyff’s Dream Team 1993-94
Johan Cruff’s had a revolutionary effect on Barcelona both as a player and a manager. Having regarded as the best player of his generation, Cruff assembled a team that not only defeated Real but left psychological scars on their players and fans. Romario was the star of the match, having scored a beautiful hat-trick and the final score finished 5-0 to Barcelona.
9. Johan Cruyff’s arrival
Johan Cruyff was a revolutionary player both on the pitch and off it. Real and Barca both were fighting for his signature, but in the end, he chose Barca, and he did not disappoint. Cruyff scored one and assisted three to beat Real and help Barcelona win their first La Liga title after 13 years.
10. Di Stefano saga
Before the Figo and Cruyff transfer saga, there was one player for whom both Barcelona and Real Madrid were fighting. His name was Alfred di Stefano. Di Stefano made an immediate impact, having scored four goals in his first El Clasico and helping end Real’s long title drought. He was part of the famous trio of, Gento, Puskas, and Di Stefano, which won titles after titles and helped Real win five consecutive European Cups.
