When the starting lineups for Saturday’s El Clasico were announced, there was really only one surprise in the 22 players named for battle: Zinedine Zidane’s decision to drop Isco to the bench in favor of Mateo Kovacic. For many, Isco has been Real’s best player over the past year — a footballer of sublime skill, technique and playmaking ability — while Kovacic’s inclusion meant one thing only: Lionel Messi limitation.
Barcelona opened up a nine-point gap at the top of La Liga with an astounding 3-0 victory over Real Madrid at the Bernabeu on Saturday. Real now trail the leaders by 14 points, a seemingly insurmountable margin when coupled with what transpired over the final 45 minutes in Madrid.
Everyone remembers Lionel Messi's performance in El Clasico back in April. He scored two goals: one incredible dribble goal and a late winner because of course he scored a late winner.
Everyone who's anyone wants to know how Messi and Ronaldo stack up against each other in El Clasico, but don't worry, we've got you covered.
Goals: Lionel Messi has scored 24 goals in El Clasico. Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 17 goals in El Clasico.
Assists: Lionel Messi has assisted 13 goals in El Clasico. Cristiano Ronaldo has assisted one goal in El Clasico.
The first Real Madrid vs. Barcelona match of the 2017-18 season is Saturday at the Bernabeu. While this fixture has been dominated by the Messi vs. Ronaldo debate for the last decade, there’s another matchup that pops into people’s minds: El Clasico vs Super Bowl. Which has higher TV ratings?
Real Madrid welcomes Barcelona to the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday, December 23, for the 175th league edition of El Clasico. The stakes couldn’t be higher with Real desperate to make up ground in La Liga, while a victory for Barcelona at the home of its greatest rival would effectively doom Zinedine Zidane’s men in their quest to defend the title.