5 biggest winners and losers in El Clasicos since the 2000s

#1 Real Madrid 2-6 Barcelona (2008/09)

Winner- Xavi

Arguably the best midfielder of all time!!

This was some way of announcing your prowess to the world. Master tactician, Pep Guardiola unshackled a monster in Leo Messi as he played the false nine against a hapless Real Madrid in the Spring of 2009.

Barcelona were rampaging past everyone in sight looking for the treble. While Messi’s heroics stole the headlines, it was Xavi who grabbed the opportunity with both hands. Maurading into spaces that the Argentine created, Xavi provided four assists, yes four!

Firstly his free kick from the left-hand side was headed into the net by captain Carles Puyol, then he took the ball off Diarra and passed it to Leo Messi all in the same move.

Then he made a mockery of Madrid’s offside trap with a precision pass to Frenchman, Thierry Henry before he finally sent the entire Los Blancos defence dancing around him as he moved on the spot and feed a beautiful ball to Messi to make it 2-5.

A true masterclass by a genius at work.

Loser - Fabio Cannavaro

First defender in this century to win the prestigious Ballon d'Or award

Fabio Cannavaro had won the incredible World Cup just 3 years ago when he was obliterated to shreds by a rampant Blaugrana side. As Guardiola’s overachieving debut season was coming to a successful end, he decided to bring out the big guns and played Leo Messi in the false nine role against Madrid and the Italian Ballon d’Or winner had no chance of stopping this exuberant side.

He was not able to get near any Barcelona player during the game and he was repeatedly found out of position by the incredulous movement of the trio of Henry, Xavi and Messi. Xavi danced his way around the defence as he pleased and swiftly moved away from Cannavaro for the fourth of the 6 goals Barça scored on the night.