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As the world gets ready for arguably the most exciting fixture in Europe tonight, fans are acutely aware of the one change this particular game has. Tonight marks the first time former Real Madrid man Cristiano Ronaldo and Barcelona ace Lionel Messi will not be featured in El Clasico since December 2007.
While Ronaldo has moved on from Spain to continue his exploits at Italian club Juventus, Messi’s injury in Barcelona’s win over Sevilla last week forces him to opt out of the game.
Despite the Clasico headlines being dominated by the two five-time Ballon d’Or winners for a decade, this month’s clash will prove to be interesting for reasons beyond the two aces. Prior to the Ronaldo-Messi duopoly, El Clasico was still very much the intense match we know now, full of passionate action and drama.
In preparation for tonight's El Clasico, therefore, we have compiled four bizarre moments in the history of the fixture:
#1 Luis Figo's return to Barcelona and the pig's head (2002)
This incident was one to remember in the books of El Clasico for the sheer depravity of it all.
Two years after his controversial move to bitter rivals Real Madrid in 2000, former Barcelona man Luis Figo was set to make his return to his former home Camp Nou, where he was previously vice-captain. His move to the longstanding rivals did not go down well with Barcelona fans who unleashed their anger during this El Clasico.
The November 2002 image of Figo taking a corner kick amid the abuse and the infamous goat's head on the pitch remains etched in the mind of every football fan.
When the Portuguese ace attempted to take a corner kick, he encountered a neo-fascist group called the ‘Boxois Nois’. The members of the group then tried to hit Figo by throwing a head of a suckling pig and a bottle of whisky at him, among other things.
This particular Clasico clash came to be known in history as ‘Derbi de la Vergüenza’ or Derby of Shame.
#2 Mourinho gouges Vilanova’s eye (2011)
Current Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho is hardly new to controversy. While being regarded as one of the most efficient managers in the sport, the Portuguese has managed to get himself in hot water numerous times.
In 2011, then Real Madrid boss Mourinho made the El Clasico headlines for gouging then Barcelona assistant Tito Vilanova’s eye.
The incident took place during an intense Spanish Super Cup game following a nasty challenge from Madrid’s Marcelo on Cesc Fabregas. The tackle led to an altercation between the players and the coaching staff on both sides.
During the bust-up, the self-titled “Special One” proceeded to walk over to Vilanova and poked him in the eye.
The altercation was so nasty that Barcelona defender Gerard Pique even went on to say that Mourinho was "destroying Spanish football".
The Portuguese was consequently banned for two matches that season.
The two managers have since moved on from the incident with Mourinho even paying his highest respects when Vilanova died due to cancer, saying "Tito Vilanova’s passing is a sad day for football, for Barcelona and most importantly for his family and friends. On behalf of everybody at Chelsea Football Club I send my deepest condolences at this most difficult time."
#3 Di Stefano's first Clasico and his bizarre transfer saga
Alfredo Di Stefano's first El Clasico came with one of the most bizarre transfer stories in football history.
At the time, the Argentine ace was considered to be one of the greatest players of all time and both Barcelona and Real Madrid were fighting for his signature.
Barcelona appeared to have sealed a deal with Di Stefano but Madrid swooped in to sign the Argentine when the Catalan giants had disagreements with a third party who held a part of the player's contract.
The transfer was so controversial that some believed that Spanish dictator and Real Madrid fan General Franco had intervened through double agents to sabotage Barcelona's negotiations with the striker.
In 1953, Di Stefano played in his first Clasico game in a Real Madrid shirt and brutally punished Barcelona by netting four goals in a 5-0 Madrid victory.
Di Stefano went on to win five European Cups in a row with Real Madrid, establishing his position as a legend at the club. The striker was even made Honorary President of Real Madrid, a position he held until his death.
#4 Real Madrid fans' standing ovation for Barcelona's Ronaldinho (2005)
The November 2005 El Clasico marked the day that both clubs put their rivalry aside in appreciation of the beautiful game.
The night saw Real Madrid playing host to Barcelona at the Bernabeu. The Catalans were already leading 1-0 when Ronaldinho got hold of the ball and showcased some of the most magical bits of football.
In the 59th minute, the Brazilian ace was seen picking up the ball, sprinting and dribbling past defenders Sergio Ramos and Ivan Helguera before netting in a beautiful shot past goalkeeper Iker Casillas.
Twenty minutes later, Ronaldinho scored his second goal of the night in the same riveting style as the first.
A starstruck Casillas was not the only one in awe of the Brazilian's style as the stadium lit up and Real Madrid fans were seen on their feet, applauding Ronaldinho.
This game marked one of the most beautiful moments of the game in one of the most bitter clashes in history.
