Facts to know about the history of El Clásico
El Clásico has been around for over a hundred years, and is one of the most exciting soccer games to watch, not only because of the passion its sure to bring, but because of its history as well. This Sunday, Real Madrid will host Barcelona in the final El Clásico of the season. Let’s take a look back at how this craziness started, and some of the facts behind the famous matchup between Real Madrid and Barcelona.
The first ever LaLiga El Clásico was played in February 1929.
The first time the two teams ever met to play each other was in 1902. But the first League El Clásico was in 1929. It was played in Barcelona at their Les Colts stadium, but the Barcelona fans had to endure their first El Clásico loss when Real Madrid beat them 2-1. They got the last word though, winning the reverse fixture 1-0 and thus the first LaLiga title.
The name “El Clásico” now refers to any game between Madrid and Barcelona.
Originally, the term was used for league matches between the two Spanish teams, but now, it has grown to refer to any time the two teams meet, including championship games.
There have been a combined total of 281 El Clásicos and Barca leads in wins
There have been 248 competitive matches and 33 exhibition matches between Madrid and Barcelona. Of the 248 competitive matches, Real Madrid has won the most, with 100 wins to Barca’s 96 (and 52 ties). Barcelona has more wins in exhibition matches with 19 to Madrid’s four (and 10 ties). In total matches, Barcelona leads the way with 115 wins to Madrid’s 104 (and 62 ties).
The top scorer in El Clásico is Lionel Messi
Though we no longer get to see the Messi/Ronaldo face-off, their legends live on. Messi is still the top goal scorer in El Clásico games with 26 goals. Behind him are Alfredo Di Stefano and Cristiano Ronaldo, tied with 18. Messi also leads in assists with 14, and is tied for most hat-tricks (two). The current active player with the most goals is Madrid’s Karim Benzema with 11 total, ninth overall scorer in El Clásico matchups.
Lionel Messi and Sergio Ramos have the most appearances
Ramos for Real Madrid and Messi for Barcelona are tied for the most appearances in El Clásico games at 45.
The biggest win ever was Real Madrid 11, Barcelona 1
In June 1943, one of the craziest El Clásicos happened when Madrid beat Barcelona 11-1 in the second leg of the Copa del Generalísmo. Barcelona had beaten Madrid 3-1 in Barcelona in the first leg and came into the game feeling confident. But suddenly, Barca was down 8-0 at the half, and Madrid added three more in the second to give us this bizarre final score. Some say this is when the real rivalry began.
El Clásico is also known for its goal celebrations
El Clásico has had some memorable goal celebrations, often throwing it in the opposition’s face. For example, in 2017, Messi scored a game-winner in the 93rd minute against Madrid and celebrated by taking off his Barca shirt and holding it up to the fans, showing his name and number on the jersey. In August of that same year, Ronaldo scored against Madrid in the 80th minute, and did the same, taking off his shirt and holding it up to the Barca fans to see his name and number.