Football is only one aspect of El Clasico. Every season in LaLiga Santander, FC Barcelona, and Real Madrid CF put on one of the biggest sporting spectacles.
Some football rivalries serve as symbols of the best that a nation has to offer, and in the case of Spain, El Clasico stands out above all other competitions.
The match between Barcelona and Real Madrid is one that fans from all over the world look forward to, with encounters typically providing plenty of brilliance as well as flashpoints.
What does the term El Clasico mean?
El Clasico refers to any match between bitter rivals Real Madrid and Barcelona. It is a Spanish term that translates to “The Classic” in English and is known as El Classic in Catalan.
Subscribe to our Youtube channel Switch TV
El Clasico has evolved to represent much more than simply the on-field match between Barcelona and Real Madrid since it is a powerful representation of Spain’s infamous Civil War split, which only grew more pronounced in the decades after World War II.
During the Spanish Civil War, Catalonia was a republican stronghold, while Madrid, the country’s capital, served as the centre of establishment authority, represented by General Franco and the Spanish royal family.
The motto of Barca, “Mes Que Un Club,” strongly indicates that the club represents more than just sports; it is a representation of Catalan pride that has been closely linked to the independence fight.
The first El Clasico in LaLiga Santander was played on 17 February 1929 at Les Corts, Barcelona’s old stadium, and ended in a 2-1 win for Real Madrid.
Read also: Real Madrid vs Barcelona: A Supreme ‘Number 9’ El Clasico
As of the 16 October 2022 match, Real Madrid leads in competitive matches with 101 wins to Barcelona’s 97 with 52 draws; Barcelona leads in exhibition matches with 20 victories to Madrid’s 4 with 10 draws, and in total matches with 117 wins to Madrid’s 105 with 62 draws.
The fact that both clubs are directly competing for La Liga, Copa del Rey, and Champions League glory has naturally contributed to the rivalry becoming more intense.
