Tradition is an attractive repetitive. Ritual reinforces the notion of comfort from the familiar. The Spanish Futbol match that encompasses all these is Real Madrid vs Barcelona or as it’s known as “El Clasico.”
Why is this match one of the most anticipated on the soccer calender?
STAR POWER
Both of these teams have had most of the best players in soccer history play for them. Real Madrid boasts of stars such as David Beckham, Emil Butragueno, Luis Figo, Hugo Sanchez, Michael Laudrup, Ronaldo, Raul, and now Christiano Ronaldo.
Barcelona counters with Gary Lineker, David Villa, Thierry Henry, Johan Cruyff, Ronaldinho, Luis Enrique, Luis Suarez, Neymar, Romario, Diego Maradona, and Lionel Messi.
CHAMPIONSHIP PEDIGREE
Real Madrid has won a record 32 La Liga championships along wth 19 Copa del Rey’s. They also hold the record for most European Cups with eleven, three Intercontinental Cups and one FIFA Club World Cup.
Barcelona counters with 24 La Liga titles, a record 26 Copa del Reys and five European Cups along with a record four UEFA Cups and record best three FIFA World Club Cups.
HISTORY
Real Madrid and Barcelona share a history as the symbols of their sections in Spain. Madrid, who plays in the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium represented Castile, who were seen as a reflection of oppression from a fascist regime during the Spanish Civil War. Barcelona, who plays in the Nou Camp represented Catalonia, which spoke Castilian, which was suppressed by Franco during that same Civil War. The perceptions remain to this day. Real Madrid has the overall advantage in head to head battles coming out on top 71 times while Barcelona has won 67 matches with 32 draws in the mix.
BEST PLAYER DEBATE
The argument of who is the best player in the game pits Lionel Messi of Argentina, who led his team to two Copa America and one FIFA World Cup Final but failed to win any of the three. Cristiano Ronaldo has a European Championship for Portugal under his belt this year but missed the Final due to injury. So the jury is still undecided on this one but that makes tomorrow’s game so intriging as the battle for soccer supremacy on the field, on the scoreboard, and in the lives of millions of Spanish fans are influenced through this classic of the ages.
