Spain is currently the capital of world football. Not only did they lift the World Cup last year, but, in Barcelona and Real Madrid, they have two of the best football clubs in the world.
Naturally, the rivalry between these two football giants is intense, and every time they meet, the reputations of both teams are subject to immense pressure, not only from their respective loyal fan bases, but also from the media. of all the world.
Both teams play in La Liga, the first Spanish league. When these two great giants of football meet (at least twice a year in league competition, and more if they face each other in one of the European trophy matches), the name given to the matches (yes, in actually have a name from this particular football game), it’s “El Clásico” – The Classic.
Since these two clubs first began meeting in 1902, Real Madrid have held a slight advantage, with a total of 74 wins over their old rivals, to Barcelona’s 73.
The origin of their great rivalry is actually politically charged. Barcelona FC, more affectionately known as Barça (properly pronounced “Barsa”), is the champion of the Catalan region and its towns, while Real Madrid was associated many years ago with Franco’s fascist regime. This clash between the people and the establishment was the basis for what is one of the fiercest sporting rivalries in the world today.
There is an amazing story that tells of the fate of a certain Alfredo di Stefano, now a legendary figure for both clubs. His arrival in Spain from Argentina’s Deportivo Los Millonarios came amid fierce competition between Real Madrid and Barça, who were desperate to sign the player. In the ensuing confusion over the bitter discussion of who he would play for, it was decided that he would play for Real one year and Barca the next.
The intense confrontation between the two clubs is being compared to a re-enactment of the Spanish Civil War, a situation that recently intensified when Real Madrid manager José Mourinho poked the assistant coach in the eye last Wednesday. Barça, Tito Vianova, after previous incidents on the pitch. . Many fear that the bad feelings between the two clubs will spread to the national team, which currently has nine Barca players in its squad.
But all rivalries aside, these two great clubs have put on wonderful shows of brilliant football in recent years, although it is an undeniable fact that FC Barcelona is very much on the rise at the moment. His explosive style of football is hard for any other club to follow, and he has humiliated many other great football clubs in the world, as he did Manchester United when they beat them in last season’s European Cup final.
Barcelona FC is currently THE club to watch. In recent head-to-head meetings with Real Madrid, Barça have won 6 of the last 10 games, with Real only managing 2 wins; the other games are being drawn. Barcelona recorded their longest run without losing in La Liga last season with 28 games unbeaten, and with nine of their current squad in the international squad, they are truly a force to be reckoned with. Real Madrid eats the heart!
