Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi? Luka Modric or Xavi? Real Madrid legend Iker Casillas picks his combined El Clasico XI

Real Madrid legend Iker Casillas recently chose between Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, and other superstars to pick his combined El Clasico XI. The Spanish shot-stopper was a La Fabrica graduate and is widely regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in Los Blancos' history.

Since his senior debut in 1999, Casillas played a whopping 725 games for Real Madrid, keeping 264 clean sheets across competitions. With him between the sticks, Real Madrid won three Champions League trophies, five LaLiga titles, one FIFA Club World Cup, two UEFA Super Cups, and many other accolades. Casillas was also voted 'Goalkeeper of the Season' for Real Madrid in 2007-08.

The Spaniard was capped 167 times for the national side, keeping 102 clean sheets and winning two European Championships (2008, 2012) and the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

In a recent interview with GOAL (via @MadridXtra), Iker Casillas was asked to choose between the titans of Barcelona and Real Madrid to make his ultimate El Clasico XI. The Spanish maestro stayed loyal to his former club throughout the interview, except for the last choice. Here is how the conversation went:

"Messi or Ronaldo?" "Cristiano."

"Pedro or Bale?" "Bale."

"David Villa or Benzema?" "Benzema."

"Iniesta or Di Maria?" "Di Maria.

"Busquets or Khedira?"

"Khedira, I’m going to pick all the ones from Madrid."

"Modric or Xavi?" "Modric."

"Abidal or Coentrao?" "Coentrao."

"Pique or Varane?" "Varane."

"Mascherano or Ramos?" "Sergio."

"Alves or Carvajal?" "Caravajal."

Finally, Casillas was asked to choose between himself and Barcelona's Victor Valdes. The Spaniard played it humble and chose the latter - the only Barcelona player in his El Clasico XI.

The Spaniard played against La Blaugrana 37 times in his career, winning 12 of those matches. Ten ended in a stalemate while Real Madrid lost 15.

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When Iker Casillas chose between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo

UEFA European Club Football Season Kick-Off 2019/2020 - UCL Draw - Source: Getty

Iker Casillas once claimed that Lionel Messi was significantly better than Cristiano Ronaldo. Messi and Ronaldo are widely considered two of the best players to have ever played the game.

Their rivalry started in earnest when Cristiano Ronaldo joined Real Madrid from Manchester United in 2009. From then on, El Clasicos became a global spectacle with the two titans clashing every season.

The Messi vs Ronaldo debate has been a major part of footballing discourse for the last two decades. In 2009, Iker Casillas gave his opinion on the same. He said - as per Directo Gol (via Albiceleste Talk on X):

"Messi, but by a significant margin compared to Cristiano Ronaldo. People always talk lately about the two, Messi and Ronaldo. But Messi carries the ball on his foot. He's fast, has a great shot. I don't know honestly right now, I'd choose Messi over Cristiano."

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have faced each other 36 times across competitions with Lionel Messi winning 16. Nine have ended in draws while Ronaldo has won 11 of them.