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Once again, the stakes are high in La Liga for Real Madrid and Barcelona as they lock horns at the Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano on Saturday.
This is the second El Clasico this season, with Real Madrid claiming a 3-1 victory at the Camp Nou in last October’s reverse fixture.
Saturday’s clash has all the makings of a proper contest and could be a potential decider in both Real Madrid and Barcelona’s La Liga title chances.
Barcelona claimed a hard-earned victory over Real Valladolid last time out to cut the gap on league leaders Atletico Madrid to just one point.
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Third-place Real Madrid, likewise, secured a 2-0 win against Eibar last Saturday to remain within touching distance of both Barcelona and Atletico Madrid.
(THREAD) Separated by just two points, Real Madrid and Barcelona will both aim to grab a win and pull clear in their race for the title.
Both Real Madrid and Barcelona have housed some of the greatest-ever players to grace the game. The likes of Ronaldo Nazario, Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Andres Iniesta are examples of superstars who have featured for both Spanish heavyweights.
Over the years, these players have added both value and flair to the El Clasico, and have helped to maintain its reputation as one of the fiercest rivalries in world football. On that note we take a look at El Clasico’s all-time XI.
GK – Iker Casillas (Real Madrid)
Iker Casillas joined Real Madrid at the age of nine and went on to spend 25 years as a Galactico. In that time, he cemented his name as one of the best goalkeepers in both the club's history and the world at large.
The World Cup winner made over 700 appearances for Real Madrid and guided the club to a plethora of trophies, including five La Liga titles and three UEFA Champions League titles.
RB – Dani Alves (Barcelona)
Of course, football's most decorated player makes the cut. Dani Alves has enjoyed an incredible level of success playing for some of Europe’s elite clubs.
The Brazilian full-back has won a whopping 40 trophies in his career, however, it was with Barcelona that he truly made an impact in world football.
Besides revolutionizing the right-back role, 23 of his 40 trophies came during his stint with the Blaugranas, including two trebles.
CB – Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid)
Since making his debut for Real Madrid 16 years ago, Sergio Ramos has grown into one of the greatest defenders of his generation.
The 35-year-old was instrumental in Spain’s rise to the summit of international football. He played a key role in La Roja’s 2010 World Cup success, playing on the right side of their four-man defense.
At club level, Ramos’ influence on Real Madrid cannot be over-emphasised. He inspired Los Blancos to five UEFA Champions League titles, including an unprecedented three straight title successes in the competition between 2016 and 2018.
He has also won five La Liga titles and has been included in the FIFA Pro XI every year since 2011.
CB – Carles Puyol (Barcelona)
Puyol made his Barcelona debut back in October 1999 against Real Valladolid. He quickly became a regular in the squad given his tenacious defending and sheer determination.
He was handed the Barcelona captain's armband in 2004, and he would lead the club for another 10 years before his retirement.
The Spaniard won 18 major trophies at Barcelona, but was famous for leading the Catalan giants to the sextuple in the 2008/2009 campaign, one year before guiding Spain to the World Cup trophy.
RB – Roberto Carlos (Real Madrid)
While Dani Alves might have revolutionized the full-back role, it was Roberto Carlos who paved the way for attacking full-backs back in the 90s.
The Brazilian joined Real Madrid from Inter Milan in 1996 and became a key man for the Galacticos. Roberto Carlos was renowned for his free-kick-taking prowess due to his ability to fiercely strike a ball.
He made over 500 appearances as a Galactico and won a plethora of silverware, including three UEFA Champions League titles.
CM – Zinedine Zidane (Real Madrid)
He is unarguably one of the greatest midfielders to play the game. Currently at the helm at the Santiago Bernabeu, Zidane moved to Real Madrid for a world-record €77m from Italian powerhouse Juventus in 2001.
Playing at the center of the park, the Frenchman quickly became a central figure for Real Madrid.
He made 155 appearances during his five-year stint in the Spanish capital, and amidst the many titles won, he quickly went on to become a legend at the club.
CM – Xavi (Barcelona)
Xavi made his Barcelona debut as a teenager back in 1998 and would grow into one of the greatest-ever midfielders in Europe.
Alongside his compatriot Andres Iniesta, he led Barcelona to the summit of club football and brought an incredible level of success to the club.
Xavi won 25 titles with Barcelona, including five La Liga and four Champions League titles. He moved on to Qatar-based club Al-Sadd, ending his 17-year stay at the Camp Nou.
CM – Andres Iniesta (Barcelona)
Andres Iniesta is widely regarded as one of the best and naturally gifted midfielders of his generation.
The La Masia graduate made his debut for Barcelona in 2002 and was one of the reasons behind the club’s decision to develop home-grown talent. He is known for his ability to smoothly dictate the flow and pace of the game.
He was instrumental in Barcelona’s recent success and helped the club to nine league titles, four Champions League titles and seven Copa del Rey, to name a few.
LW – Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid)
Alongside Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo is arguably the greatest player to grace the game of football. Over the course of his career, the Juventus forward has proven he is a serial winner.
Ronaldo moved to Real Madrid from Manchester United for a world-record £80m fee. He brought an incredible level of success to the club and built one of the fiercest rivalries with Barcelona’s Lionel Messi.
Ronaldo brought a trophy haul to the Santiago Bernabeu, especially in the European competitions. He inspired the club to four Champions League titles, the Club World Cup and three UEFA Super Cups.
CF – Ronaldo Nazario (Real Madrid)
After a sensational 2002 World Cup performance, Real Madrid snapped up Ronaldo from Inter Milan for €45m.
He is widely considered the greatest ever centre-forward in world football, after starring for some of the biggest clubs in Europe.
Ronaldo boasts the best goalscoring ratio of any Real Madrid player barring CR7, after scoring 62 goals in 98 appearances across all competitions for the club.
The Brazilian inspired Real Madrid to one La Liga title and one International Cup title, before moving to AC Milan in 2007.
RW – Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
This list would be incomplete without the addition of the greatest player in Barcelona’s history. At the age of 13, Lionel Messi began playing for the Barcelona Under-14 team, before quickly graduating into the higher squads.
Lionel Messi made his Barcelona debut in October 2004, and the rest, they say, is history. The Argentine superstar has enjoyed a glittering career at the Camp Nou, leading the club to an incredible level of success.
Major honours now:Barcelona 91-92 Real Madrid He has made the most appearances for the club, with over 768 appearances under his belt. With over 700 goals to his name, he is also the club's all-time leading goalscorer.
Lionel Messi has won a jaw-dropping 34 major trophies with Barcelona, including 10 La Liga titles and four Champions League titles. All eyes will be on the six-time Ballon d’Or winner, who is set to lead Barcelona to another El Clasico on Saturday.
