5 players who could play a key role in El Clasico

#2 Karim Benzema

Karim Benzema

Unfortunately for Real Madrid fans, Eden Hazard has not worked out as well as the club hoped this season. The Belgian international will also miss this game due to an injury. During his absence and his inconsistency, the ever-reliant Karim Benzema has stepped up and taken charge in front of goal for his club.

With 18 goals this season, the French international has been Real Madrid's premium attacking threat, and he has been their most consistent player since the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo. Benzema is often a man for the big occasion, and with his club desperately needing a win in this game, all eyes will be on the striker.

However, Benzema only has one league goal since December - the winner against Atletico Madrid. If there was ever a time to get a goal, this would be it. With a potential six-point swing on the line, Real Madrid's number 9 has a big role to play this Sunday.

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#1 Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi

This one is a no-brainer. With 26 goals in the El Clasico, no player has impacted this fixture more than Barcelona's captain, Lionel Messi. The legendary forward scored four goals in his last LaLiga outing and leads the league in both goals scored and assists made - if any Barcelona player can decide the game this Sunday, it is the little magician.

Messi loves to play at the Santiago Bernabeu and has had some legendary moments there. Most recently, the Argentine superstar netted a stoppage-time winner in front of thousands of shocked Madrid fans a few years ago as Barcelona beat Real Madrid 2-3. His brace in the Champions League almost a decade ago remains one of the all-time great individual performances at the Bernabeu.

Almost every Barcelona attack goes through Messi, and the best player in the world will be looking to get his team all three points as they march towards yet another LaLiga title.