El Clasico: 4 incredible stats that show that Lionel Messi is the King of the fixture

The term El Clásico was previously meant to refer to the matches between Barcelona and Real Madrid in the Spanish Championships, however, it was gradually modified to include any of the encounters between the two Spanish giants. It is one of the most viewed football matches in the world and the craze in the build-up to the game is second to none.

The rivalry has its roots in the differences between the backgrounds of both clubs, with Real Madrid representing Spanish origins and Barcelona representing Catalan nationalism. The El Clásico, as such, is more than just a game and it is a match that revolves around one of the fiercest rivalries of the world.

In total, 271 El Clásicos have been played till date, with Real Madrid winning 99 and Barcelona 112 (including friendlies). The biggest win recorded was in 1943, when Real Madrid won 11-1. However, in recent times, the El Clásico was a showcase of perhaps the biggest player rivalry in World Football ever - Cristiano Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi.

Ronaldo left in the summer for Juventus, leaving a void in the fixture that would be hard to fill. To make matters worse, Lionel Messi is currently ruled out of the El Clásico on Sunday with a forearm fracture that was picked up in the game against Seville last weekend.

It means that the fixture further loses its charm because Lionel Messi has lit up the tie between the Spanish Giants over the years like no one has done before. This is what makes him the King of El Clásico and here are 4 incredible statistics that show why.

#4 Chances created

In his 38 appearances in El Clásico since his debut, Lionel Messi has created 68 chances in 38 games. It is a testament to a player who doesn't just score but also creates chances for his teammates.

As always, Messi is the heartbeat of Barcelona and his abilities are out of this world. As such, the fact that he creates almost 2 chances per El Clásico clearly shows how dominant Messi is in this tie.

To put matters in perspective, we could take a look at his direct rival. In comparison, Ronaldo has created just 15 chances in 30 games. Lionel Messi doesn't just score, he influences El Clásico like no other player.

#3 Most assists (14)

Lionel Messi made his debut in the fierce fixture in November 2005. Following a string of impressive displays, the then Barcelona Coach Frank Rijkaard put him alongside Samuel Eto'o and the great Ronaldinho to make up a fabulous front 3.

For the 69 minutes that he was on the pitch before being replaced by Iniesta, Messi tormented the Madrid defence, toying with Roberto Carlos, Helguera and Ramos. His first venture was just the sign of things to come.

As early as the 15th minute, Messi showed his class, zipping around the defence and setting up Eto'o to score the opener. It was his first assist of the tie and over the years, he has picked up a total of 14 assists in 38 El Clásicos, a number that has never been achieved before. Cristiano Ronaldo has just 1 assist to his name in 30 games between the Spanish giants.

Who can forget the El Clasico last season, when he lost his boot and still served up an assist?

#2 Most Hattricks (2)

Till date, 5 players have scored 2 hattricks in El Clásico: Jamie Lazcano (Real Madrid), Santiago Bernabeu (Real Madrid), Paulino Alcantara (Barcelona), Ferenc Puskas (Real Madrid) and Lionel Messi (Barcelona).

Messi's first hattrick in El Clásico was an absolute cracker. 3 times Real Madrid took the lead, and thrice Messi brought Barcelona back into the game, with the match ending 3-3.

Messi's second hattrick in El Clásico came almost 7 years later, once again in March, in 2014, where Barcelona came back from behind twice to beat Real Madrid 4-3 at the Bernabeu. Messi started the day by an inch-perfect assist for Iniesta to open the scoring. However, Benzema equalized in the 20th minute and gave Real the lead 4 minutes later. Messi scored his first of the night in the 42nd minute and the first half ended 2-2.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored from the spot in the 55th minute, giving Real the lead again, but Messi restored parity again, in the 65th minute, this time from the penalty spot, as Ramos got his marching orders.

In the 84th minute, Messi scored his third of the night, once again from the penalty spot and ensured that Barcelona returned from the Bernabeu with 3 points and a memorable 4-3 victory.

One cannot rule out Messi getting his third hattrick in this fixture and moving clear of the pack, because he may not be playing tonight but is still active for Barcelona.

#1 Most Goals (26)

Just the fact that Messi has left everyone behind in the number of goals scored in this fixture confirms the Argentinean's impact on El Clásico. The great Alfredo Di Stefano scored 18, as did Cristiano Ronaldo, but both are on the second spot as Lionel Messi has 26 El Clásico goals to his name so far, in 38 games.

The only current player close to him, apart of Ronaldo who is playing in Serie A now, is Real Madrid's Karim Benzema, who is on 8 goals. Messi started his goalscoring form in El Clásico with a hattrick against Real Madrid in March 2007.

Ruud Van Nistelrooy opened the scoring in just the 4th minute at the Nou Camp in March 2007. Messi responded 6 minutes later, levelling the scores. However, 2 minutes later, Guti was brought down in the penalty area and Nistelrooy slammed home the resulting penalty. Real had the lead again.

In the 28th minute, Messi equalized again, making the score 2-2 now. By the end of the first half, Barcelona centre-back Oleguer picked up his second yellow and got his marching order. With a man advantage, Madrid scored through a Sergio Ramos header in the 73rd minute.

Yet Lionel Messi refused to be defeated on the night and scored the goal of the game in the 90th minute, levelling the scores 3-3 and registering the first hattrick of his career in an El Clásico. He would go on to score one more hattrick and a total of 26 goals till date in this fixture.

Lionel Messi will not add to his tally in the first El Clásico of the season, but one can safely assume that the Argentinean maestro will light up this fixture again in the near future.

All the stats go on to show that no other player in the history of the fixture has influenced El Clásico as much as Lionel Messi which truly makes him the King of El Clásico.

Stat courtesy: BBC & Goal