Source: @Marca.com
‘Ballon d’Or big boys’, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo’s era of El Clásico that spanned from 2009 to 2018 was modern football gold.
This fixture has since transitioned to a new generation of football juggernauts – Kylian Mbappe and Lamine Yamal have become the new faces of world football’s biggest rivalry.
Over the weekend, the Spanish La Liga title race was blown open by Mbappe’s brace which was his 100th Real Madrid goal. The game had its moments but lacked the usual chaos and end-to-end fireworks that often lit up this clash in the past.
Here are the three best El Clásico matches since 2009:
- Real Madrid 2–6 Barcelona (2 May 2009 – La Liga) Real Madrid were victims of Pep Guardiola’s peak “Tiki-Taka” era. Thierry Henry and Lionel Messi both scored braces, while Xavi completely controlled the midfield. This resounding 6-2 thrashing essentially secured the La Liga title and propelled Barcelona toward their historic Sextuple. This humiliating moment at the Santiago Bernabeau inspired Real Madrid signings of Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, Kaka, Xabi Alonso, Raul Albiol and Alvaro Arbeloa in the 2009 summer transfer window.
- Barcelona 5–0 Real Madrid (29 November 2010 – La Liga) Still fresh off winning the World Cup in July 2010, midfield maestros Xavi and Andrés Iniesta completely spanked Real Madrid. David Villa netted a quick fire double, and Sergio Ramos was shown a straight red card towards the end of the game to cap off a flawless Manita victory for the Blaugrana. Jose Mourinho certainly did not feel special that night.
- Real Madrid 2 – 2 Barcelona (7 October 2012 –La Liga) This remains one of the most iconic El Clásico encounters in history. After a smooth attacking build-up, Karim Benzema slid a pass to Ronaldo for the opening goal of the game. Eight minutes later, Lionel Messi made it1-1 after capitalizing on a defensive lapse. Messi put Barcelona ahead with a spectacular, curling 30-yard free kick that beat Iker Casillas into the top corner. Real Madrid instantly hit back seven minutes later when Mesut Özil carved open the Barcelona defence and allowed Cristiano Ronaldo to finish – What a game!
The era of Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola was defined by tactical masterclasses and chaotic animosity that spilled into player tunnels.
For nearly a decade, El Clásico was more than just a game; from a pig’s head aimed at Luis Figo to Ballon d’or battles, critics argue that the global hype has noticeably declined since the departures of Messi and Ronaldo.
Kylian Mbappe and Lamine Yamal certainly have what it takes to re-ignite a similar decade long Ballon d’or rivalry and make the El Clásico the centre of the football universe once again.
