5 moments that make Lionel Messi the most impactful player in El Clasico history 

#2 Surpassing Alfredo di Stefano as highest goalscorer in El Clasico history - 24 March, 2014

Messi surpassed Alfredo Di Stefano with a hat-trick at the Santiago Bernabeu

Long before Messi, Ronaldo, Xavi, and Sergio Ramos held sway in El Clasico, the likes of Ferenc Puskas, Lazlo Kubala, Luis Suarez, and Alfredo di Stefano made an impact in years gone by.

Di Stefano's transfer to Real Madrid in 1953 was a major cause of consternation to Barcelona fans especially when he played a starring role in the successes enjoyed by Los Blancos in the early years of the European Cup.

The Barracas-born man was a goalscorer of epic proportions and he ended his career as the top scorer in El Clasico with 18 goals and this was a mark that stood for over six decades until it was broken by none other than Messi.

The Barcelona ace achieved this feat when he netted a hat-trick in a 4-3 victory for his side at the Bernabeu to move him to 21 goals and cement his legacy as the highest goalscorer in El Clasico history.