El Clasico- More than just a game of football

I’m writing this blog in the wake of a tragic plane crash, which took the lives of seventy one out of eighty one souls on board, including most of the squad and staff of Chapecoense football club, who were en route to Columbia to play the first leg final match of the Copa Sudamericana. My thoughts are with the families of the deceased. May their souls rest in peace.

On a much lighter note, one of the most happening footballing event is round the corner, with the first El Clasico being played on 3^rd of December at Camp Nou, Barcelona.

For those who are unaware, ‘El Clasico’ or ‘The Classic’ is the name given to any football match between Spanish & European giants Real Madrid C.F. and F.C. Barcelona. Other than the UEFA Champions League Final, it is considered to be one of the biggest club football games in the world, and is among the most viewed annual sporting events.

Credit: Google Images

 So, following are some of the lesser known facts about one of the most popular rivalries in world sports:

    1.    More than just a game of football

Apart from being a rivalry between the two largest cities of Spain, the rivalry has a political significance too. Real Madrid represents Spain Nationalism, whereas Barcelona represents Catalan Nationalism, which are two conflicting political ideologies in Spain.

El Clasico brings some of the world’s most talented and highest paid footballers against each other, with the likes of Messi, Ronaldo, Neymar, Bale, Suarez representing both the sides.

Last, but in fact the most important, El Clasico is the fans’ chance to prove their point regarding a never ending debate, Indeed you got this one right, MESSI v/s RONALDO, who is better?

Credit: Google Images

    2.    The di Stefano Incident

The rivalry intensified during 1950’s, when both the clubs disputed over the signing of Argentine striker Alfredo di Stefano. Due to a major misunderstanding on the part of his Columbian club, di Stefano signed for both F.C. Barcelona and Real Madrid C.F. – AT THE SAME TIME! After FIFA’s intervention, it was decided that both the clubs had to share the player in alternate seasons. This left the clubs and fans fuming.

Somehow, Real’s then president Santiago Bernabeu managed to convince di Stefano to join his side, and the rest is history.

Stefano is sixth highest goalscorer in LaLiga (Spanish top division league), and is Madrid’s highest goalscorer in the El Clasico.

Stefano also helped the Madrid side win five consecutive European championships (now UEFA Champions League).

3.    Luis Figo’s Transfer
 

F.C. Barcelona’s vice-captain and charismatic striker Luis Figo was in his top form in 2000 when Real Madrid’s then presidential candidate and current president Florentino Perez offered him $2.4 million to join Real, if he won the election. Initially, Figo denied any interest, but eventually joined Real , allegedly due to the amount of money offered.

What followed next was the wrath of Barcelona fans all over the world. On his return to Barcelona in a Real Madrid shirt, banners with "Judas", "Scum" and "Mercenary" were hung around the stadium. Thousands of fake 10,000 peseta notes had been printed and emblazoned with his image, were among the missiles of oranges, bottles, cigarette lighters, even a couple of mobile phones were thrown at him. Among all these, the most bizzare thing to be thrown at Figo was a ‘Pig’s head’.

Credit: Google Images

    4.    The ‘Pasillo’

‘The Pasillo’ or Guard of Honour is another rarely known El Clasico tradition, where the fans of opposite team applaud their rival team squad, while coming out of the tunnel, if the LaLiga title has already been decided.

It's only happened three times in El Clasico history - twice for Real Madrid and once for Barcelona. The last time it was performed in 2007-08 season.

Credit: Google Images

    5.    Double Agents

A total of twenty one players have played for both the rivals at some point of time in their lives, including the likes of Samuel Eto’o, Brazilian Ronaldo, Luis Enrique (Barcelona’s current manager) and most notoriously, Luis Figo.

    6.    Facts & Figures

 

a.) A total of 264 El Clasicos have been played, with Real winning 97 and Barcelona winning 109 of them. 58 matches ended in a draw.

b.) Biggest win came on 19^th June, 1943, When Real crushed Barcelona 11-1 in a Copa del ray match.

     c.) Lionel Messi has scored the most goals (21), most hattricks (2) and provided the most assists (13).

          d.) Manuel Sanchis (Real Madrid) holds the record for most El Clasico appearances (43).

e.) A Champions League final has never been an El Clasico, and is said to be one of the most awaited events in football.

So, don’t forget to catch El Clasico live on 3^rd December at 08:45 pm IST, only on Sony Six and Six HD.