Finally, it’s here. The El Clasico. The most eagerly anticipated clash in football. Real Madrid v Barcelona. And this promises to be the most competitive El Clasico we have had for a long time. This time this match really has quite an edge to it. Let’s discuss why.
- Real Madrid are back!
After a torrid start to the season, the worst point of which was a loss to local rivals Atletico Madrid, Real Madrid have turned their season around completely. Since that loss, Real Madrid have won 8 consecutive matches, including the 3-0 hammering of Liverpool in the midweek’s Champion’s League clash. All the players are in form, and especially Christiano Ronaldo, who we discuss next.
- Messi v Ronaldo
There is no question now that Lionel Messi and Christiano Ronaldo are the two greatest footballers of the past couple of decades, easily the best the world has seen since the legendary Diego Maradona. Nobody comes even close. Not even the Brazilian Ronaldo or the French great Zinedine Zidane. Messi and Ronaldo are simply unbelievable, in a planet of their own. Let’s talk about the goals. Messi is one goal away from equalling the Spanish La Liga record of 251 goals, and he is still only 26! Ronaldo is also one of the biggest goal scorers in the history of La Liga, and he has got an incredible 20 goals in 13 matches this season. But scoring goals is not just what these two living legends do. Assists, changing the course of a game in seconds with their genius, turning a loss into a win – they do it all. As football fans, we are privileged to watch these two in action, and long may that continue.
- The Supporting Cast Aren’t Bad Either
Well, they may not be as good as Messi or Ronado, but the likes of Neymar, Luis Suarez, Iniesta for Barcelona and Gareth Bale, Toni Kroos, James Rodriguez for Real Madrid – are easily among the top 10 footballers on the planet. It’s just incredible that so many great footballers play for just two teams and will be seen in action in just one match. It’s a shame that Angel Di Maria has got away though. He is one player, perhaps the only player, who is as good as any of those mentioned here. Still, we have a lot to look forward to. Will young Kroos and Rodriguez prove themselves after their big money move? Will Gareth Bale be fit enough to play this match? Will Neymar and Iniesta put the disappointment of the World Cup behind? And finally Luis Suarez. We talk about him next.
- Luis Suarez – He is Back!
Suarez was probably the best footballer in Europe for the whole of last season and was the single biggest reason why a mediocre club like Liverpool could get so close to winning the English Premier League. Liverpool’s poor show since his departure proves just how important Suarez was to them. His controversial stint in the World Cup in Brazil has been much discussed, but thankfully, everybody has put that behind. Suarez should be known for his footballing skills and goal scoring ability only, not for any other reason. He certainly has a lot to prove, and will hopefully get a chance to do so in the biggest match in the world.
- The Politics of Catalan Separatism
There had been renewed calls for the independence of Catalonia, especially after the Scottish Referendum. The Spanish government has rejected that outright. Barcelona are considered to be the national team of Catalonia, just as Real Madrid are the flag bearers of the majority Spanish establishment. Barcelona players such as Gerard Pique have spoken out in favour of a referendum for independence, which has not gone down well in Madrid. So this clash is not just about Messi v Ronaldo, or even about Barcelona v Real Madrid, it is very much about Catalonia v Spain. This is serious folks!
Our Prediction: Real Madrid 2 Barcelona 2
Watch the Real Madrid v Barcelona clash tonight at 9:30 PM on Star Sports.
