Real Madrid and Barcelona have been heated rivals since the 1930s when Barca emerged as a source of Catalan nationalism while Madrid was the quintessential Spanish club. A number of events on and off the field have intensified the clash then.
1936. Spain’s soon-to-be dictator Francisco Franco, who was to heavily patronize Real durig his reign, arrests Barcelona’s President Joseph Sunyol and executes him without trial.
1953. Both Real and Barca scout Argentine Alfredo di Stefano. Di Stefano signs for Barca and the transfer is sanctioned by FIFA, but the Franco controlled Spanish FA refuses to acknowledge the signing. Di Stefano would eventually sign for Real and go on to become one of the greatest players ever to play for the club.
1960. The revelry is transplanted to Europe with both clubs clashing in continental competitions. In the European Cup, Real beat Barca in 1960, while the Catalan club take their revenge in 1961.
1973. After years of Real dominating, Barca’s saviour comes from Ajax in the form of Johan Cryuff. They win their first championship for more than a decade humiliating Real at 5-0 at the Bernabeu along the way.
1988. Cryuff returns to Barca and builds a side that dominates Spain. He also wins Barca’s maiden European trophy in 1992.
2000. Luis Figo controversially moves from Barcelona to Real, kickstarting the Galacticos era at Madrid. He returns to the Nou Camp in 2003 and has a pig’s head thrown at him.
2005. Barcelona thrash Real 3-0 at the Bernabeu thanks to a brilliant display by Ronaldinho, who gets a standing ovation from Real fans. The match signals the start of Barca’s supremacy under Frank Rijkaard and later Pep Guardiola
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Last Five El Clasicos in La Liga
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Real Madrid have won 62 of the 111 games between the two clubs
Biggest Win: Real Madrid 11-1 (1943)
Most consecutive wins: Real Madrid – 6 (1962-65)
Top goal scorers: Alfredo Di Stefano and Lionel Messi (18)