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The prospect of a match-up between Real Madrid and Barcelona is always salivating, for El Clasico isn't just any other game. It's arguably the second biggest game in European club football, second only to the UEFA Champions League final.
And why not, the rich and storied history aside, the games feature two of the world's biggest stars in Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Barcelona and Real Madrid aces always hog the limelight in the build-up to the epic clash, and many a time, after the game for their brilliant performances as well. However, we have also witnessed some Clasicos where neither made the difference and were instead, left in the shadows; Clasicos in which Messi and Ronaldo weren't the talking points.
Here are 5 such El Clasicos, in which they were outshone:
#5 Varane cancels out Fabregas in dour 2012/13 Copa del Rey draw
Real Madrid's poor run in the Copa del Rey since being crowned the champions in 2014 means that they haven't played their Catalan rivals in the competition since that victorious night in Mastella. But this one particular Clasico lacked the usual shine and sheen about it.
In the first leg of the 2012/13 Copa del Rey semi-finals at the Bernabeu, Barcelona went ahead through Cesc Fabregas early in the first half as another King's Cup final looked to be on the cards. They held that lead until the 80th minute, before Raphael Varane pegged them back with an equalizer to keep the tie finely poised ahead of the return leg in the following month.
Although both Messi and Ronaldo started the match, neither could stamp their authority over it. The dynamic footballing duo were left chasing shadows for most of the match, as their activity inside the final third was uncharacteristically scarce.
An El Clasico, regardless of the competition in which it is played, always holds significance for either side. But the way this was game panned out, it wasn't just disappointing, but also subdued. So were Messi and Ronaldo.
#4 Sergio Ramos pegs Barcelona at the death with another late header
Sergio Ramos and late headed goals, to go by the cliche, "are still a better love story than Twilight". The Real Madrid skipper has developed a knack of popping up with crucial goals in the dying embers, to lift his team out of a lurch (Lisbon 2014, anyone?)
So it was one of those cases again, where he would come out of nowhere and make the difference. This time, in an El Clasico.
On the 3rd of December, 2016, in one of the most underwhelming contests between the sides in recent memory, hosts Barcelona led in the second-half through a Luis Suarez header, setting them on their way to seemed would be a narrow 1-0 victory in La Liga.
In a set-piece corner in the 90th minute, Sergio Ramos jumped the highest to nod the ball home and scored the equaliser which forced a share of the spoils.
The Spaniard was once again the hero of his side, as Real Madrid would walk away with a point.
Messi and Ronaldo both endured a quiet evening, failing to contribute on any front, let alone in the attack. It was one of those rare occasions where an El Clasico was done, and neither of them was in the news, well, aside for their picture together.
#3 Alexis Sanchez steals the thunder with a lob
With a new era of management dawning upon Real Madrid as well as Barcelona at the start of the 2013/14 campaign, this particular Clasico in November 2013 had a significance of its own. All eyes were on the dugout as Carlo Ancelotti and Tata Martino battled their wits in their debut Clasico.
The latter eventually won the bragging rights with a 2-1 win, but the night was to be remembered for the looping effort by Alexis Sanchez.
Leading 1-0 at the time, the Chilean caught Diego Lopez well off his mark, and skilfully lobbed the ball over him that neatly thumped into the back of the net as the hosts doubled their lead. It was a goal of pure class, struck with utmost nonchalance as Sanchez belted out one of his career-best goals.
It was enough to steal the limelight, and also the headlines of tabloids as Messi and Ronaldo were both quiet and uncharacteristically inconspicuous. The Portuguese would go on to grab an assist late in the match, but it was too little, too late.
#2 Neymar and Suarez call the shots in Bernabeu rout sans Messi
After claiming the treble for the second time in their history, in 2015, Barcelona were dealt with an early blow in the following season as Messi succumbed to an injury that would keep him out for two months.
However, if there were to be any sense of foreboding following the incident, Neymar and Suarez were quick to allay them as the Barcelona strike duo stepped up to the plate and brushed every team aside together. Including Real Madrid.
Sans Messi, who could only make it to the bench, the reigning champions shushed Madrid with four unanswered goals as Luis Enrique and co. registered their biggest victory at the Bernabeu since 2009. But what was more embarrassing for the hosts was the fact that Messi didn't even play a part till the final 10 minutes.
Whilst Neymar shone with a goal and an assist, Suarez bagged a brace whereas Iniesta weighed in with a stunner. It was a night where Barcelona proved they were more than capable even without their best player on the field. But at the other end of the park, Ronaldo was left ashen-faced as he endured another listless outing against Barcelona.
#1 David Villa the battering ram in 5-0 classic
Ailing from back-to-back trophyless seasons, treble-winning Jose Mourinho was handed the reigns to stir the side back to its former glory. But in his first real test at the helm, the Portuguese gaffer endured the worst defeat of his managerial career as Barcelona handed his side a 5-0 shellacking.
On 29th November 2010, David Villa, making his Clasico debut, stole the show with a brace as he led the Catalans to their biggest victory over their eternal rivals in nearly three decades.
As Xavi and Pedro put the hosts in command with a strike apiece, Villa took the initiative in the second half and made it 3-0 with a clinical effort in the 55th minute, before breaking through the offside trap again and slotting through the legs of Iker Casillas for four just minutes later.
The former Valencia hitman had truly announced his arrival to Catalonia, and perhaps, refurbished his status as one of the best strikers in Spain with a memorable performance.
Although both the goals were assisted by Messi himself, the stats fell through the cracks as Barcelona sauntered through the Clasico as a team, and much was made of the remarkable scoreline.
The Argentine, despite being the silent killer, didn't garner as much attention as their new target man. As for Ronaldo, the Los Blancos ace had remained goalless against Blaugrana in three appearances, as it turned out to be one of his most frustrating periods in his Real Madrid career.
