Sergio Busquets breaks record: becomes the player with the most appearances in El Clásico
The midfielder has surpassed Lionel Messi and Sergio Ramos as the player with the most appearances in football’s biggest fixture.
Sergio Busquets has become the player with the most appearances in the history of El Clásico. The midfielder started in FC Barcelona’s 0-1 win over Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey on 2 March 2023 in what was his 46th time playing the fixture, putting him ahead of ex-teammate Lionel Messi and ex-Madrid rival Sergio Ramos, who both sit on 45 appearances.
Busquets enters into the history books and as Barcelona emerged victorious, he also became the player with the most Clásico wins in history, with 22, overtaking Madrid legend Paco Gento on 21.
Busquets’ Clásico record
The player made his debut in the fixture back in 2008, when he was brought on in the 63rd minute at the Camp Nou; FC Barcelona ran out 2-0 winners on the day. Fourteen years later, he is not only a legend of the club but of Spanish football in general.
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He has played 28 times against Madrid in LaLiga, twice in the Champions League, 9 times in the Copa Del Rey and 7 times in the Spanish Super Cup, which, until his record-breaking appearance, was his last outing against the eternal rival.
The overall Clásico record between the two sides
Overall, FC Barcelona have won 100 editions of El Clásico, with Madrid getting 101 victories from the 253 matches that have been played. 833 goals have been scored over the years: 419 for Madrid and 414 for Barça.
The full top appearance list is as follows:
- Sergio Busquets - 46
- Lionel Messi / Sergio Ramos - 45
- Xavi / Sanchís / Gento - 42