A new era of El Clasico?

Real Madrid have announced the signing of Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund for a potential €133.9 million, making him the fourth most expensive player ever (assuming the bonuses are met). Their arch-rivals Barcelona on the other hand, have the most prolific midfield duo in the world in Pedri and Gavi.

Jude Bellingham, one of the world’s most prolific youngsters, joins Real Madrid on €103 Million Euro deal from Borussia Dortmund.

El Clasico, as the rivalry between Real Madrid and Barcelona is commonly called, is one of the most watched games globally. Fans are in eager anticipation of these extremely intense games, often leading to wild stadium scenes and mass brawls. But in recent years, the Clasicos have become somewhat less heated. The star power of the 2010s seemed to dwindle during the pandemic. Neymar’s transfer in 2017, followed by Andres Iniesta and Cristiano Ronaldo’s in 2018, coupled with some incredibly poor signings from both clubs at the time (Griezmann, Eden Hazard, Coutinho, Luka Jovic to name a few), weakened both the clubs to some extent. Lionel Messi was single-handedly carrying Barcelona, while Modric and Kroos ran the midfield in Madrid. There was a lack of star-power on either side, and the games weren’t as intense. There wasn’t a lot of crowd silencing and jersey flexing from their players either.

Philippe Coutinho (L) and Eden Hazard (R), are Barcelona and Real Madrid’s biggest flops of all time, respectively. Coutinho cost the Blaugrana over 140 Million Euros, while the Belgian cost Madrid 100 Million + bonuses.

After the pandemic, the Clasicos started getting one-sided, mainly because Barcelona had no money to keep their talismanic legend, let alone sign any new players. None of their 100+ million signings had delivered, and the blaugrana were really short on firepower. Madrid meanwhile were overly reliant on Kroos, Modric and Karim Benzema, who rose to the top and filled the void left by Messi, Suarez and Ronaldo’s departure. Madrid won 4 straight league Clasicos in 2020 and 2021, and established themselves as the strongest Spanish club, until…

8,9,10. Kroos, Benzema and Modrić ran the show as Real Madrid won 4 straight league Clasicos in 2020 and 2021.

In November 2021, Barcelona announced that club legend Xavi would take over as manager of the club, and he brought in some short term reinforcements in January. Aubameyang, Adama, Ferran Torres and Dani Alves were brought in, and they all played an instrumental role in the massive 4–0 win at the Santiago Bernabeu in February. The win came as a massive shock to everyone, with Arsenal outcast Aubameyang scoring twice. The result propelled the Catalans into second place, surprising considering they had been ninth when Xavi took over. Real Madrid were still superior, as the managed a La Liga and Champions League double that season, but that 4–0 win was a sign of turning fortunes.

Aubameyang (R) scored a brace as Xavi’s makeshift team decimated Real Madrid 4–0 at the Bernabeu, heralding the arrival of a new era.

The following season, Barcelona strengthened their squad with Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha, Andreas Christensen, Jules Kounde and Franck Kessie, and the Clasicos seemed to be on the rise again. Madrid won the first league Clasico 3–1, but Barcelona bounced back with three straight Clasico wins, including a brilliant 2–1 win in the league, with a 92nd minute winner from Franck Kessie. The Clasicos were getting heated again, as they rightly should be, and games were becoming intense, with higher quality performances from both ends (except the pathetic 4–0 defeat in the Copa del Rey).

Barcelona’s epic summer 2022 transfer window, laying the foundations for a 27th La Liga title. From L-R: Andreas Christensen, Jules Koundé, Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha, and Ousmane Dembele. The French winger renewed his contract till 2024, and is set to stay till 2027 now.

Ahead of the new season, the star power on either side is on the rise. Pedri and Gavi are already world class footballers, having won the Kopa Trophy in successive seasons. With Alex Balde’s meteoric rise, the resurgence of Frenkie de Jong and Ousmane Dembele, who finally seem like they’ll live up to their massive price tags, and Ter Stegen finding his form and hairstyle, Barcelona finally seem like they might be headed to the top of the European football pyramid. Ronald Araujo is a born leader, ready to fight for the badge, and Robert Lewandowski’s experience as a legend of the modern game, have made Barcelona competitive and fearsome again. Brazilian starlet Vitor Roque is set to join the blaugrana, and he could become the next big striker under the tutelage of Lewangoalski and hopefully Ansu Fati regains his confidence to complement him?

Barcelona’s brilliant talents have formed a core part of their star studded squad for the future. (I have no idea who put Ferran Torres in there)

On the white side of the Capital, Vinicius Junior is taking the world by storm as the best winger in the world. The iconic Real Madrid no. 7 seems to have found its new owner, as does Zinedine Zidane’s no. 5 in Jude Bellingham. The Englishman is a proven superstar, and will seamlessly slot into the Galacticos roster, alongside veterans Kroos and Modric, with youngsters Camavinga and Tchouameni. Add a phenomenal striker like Kane, Osimhen or Martinez to Madrid, and Clasicos are good to go for another decade.

Vinicius Jr and Rodrygo, successors to Ronaldo and Bale? The Brazilians certainly seem to have the flair for it…

The reason this rivalry is so much greater than any other is because these clubs are rivals, not mortal enemies, as seen by their collective opposition to the much-hated LaLiga president, Javier Tebas. At the end of every game, there is nothing but respect and admiration that the players and fans have for each other. For every whistle the Bernabeu makes for Lionel Messi, there are standing ovations given to Ronaldinho and Andres Iniesta, purely out of respect.

2005, Ronaldinho gets a standing ovation from the Santiago Bernabeu, after one of the best performances in a Clasico. A brilliant show of respect from the Real Madrid supporters.

El Clasico could soon become Pedri/Gavi vs Bellingham after a decade of the legendary Messi/Ronaldo rivalry. Maybe nothing will ever compare to that era (Unless Haaland and Mbappe join Barcelona and Real Madrid), but this new look Clasico will still be better than any other rivalry, for it has a history and involved the two biggest clubs in football. The pulling power these clubs have is bigger than any salary Saudi teams have to offer, and that’s what makes El Clasico the best, because players play for these teams out of passion, not money. Whether you’re “Visca el Barca!” or “Hala Madrid!” El Clasico is one of the biggest nights of your annual calendar, for it is a night of pure intense football, incredible emotions and celebrations.

MSN and BBC. Barcelona and Real Madrid have always been the home to some of football’s greatest ever players. Messi-Suarez-Neymar/Bale-Benzema-Cristiano are considered two of the best front trios of all time. The former won a treble in 2015 with Barcelona, while the latter threepeated the UCL from 2016–18 for Real Madrid. Superstars.

My personal favourite moment from a Clasico. Lionel Messi silences the Bernabeu with a 92nd minute winner, which also happened to be his 500th Career Goal. This never gets old.

It’s not just a rivalry, it’s El Clasico.