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El Clásico is upon us. This enthralling and fierce rivalry captivates audiences all around the globe with always major plots and subplots attached to the match. The match is a celebration of football, featuring two of the best teams in the world and some of the finest players to ever play the beautiful game.
But these world class players do not come on the cheap. Both Real Madrid and Barcelona pay their stars handsomely and here, we take a look at 5 of the highest earners from the two Spanish Giants.
#5: Ousmane Dembélé
The 20-year-old is earning big at Barcelona
20-year-old French international Ousmane Dembélé moved to Barcelona this summer in a record breaking €105 million move. After his breakthrough season last year at Borussia Dortmund, big things are expected of the youngster.
His Barcelona career hasn't started well though, with just 2 league appearances before he got injured and was ruled out for 2 months. Time is something the youngster has on his side and he can be expected to pay rich dividends on the €250,000 Barcelona to spend on him every week.
#4: Luis Suárez
With Neymar moving to PSG, the trio of MSN was broken up. Suarez still remains at Barcelona and is a key cog in their run for the title this season. The Uruguay international recently penned a new deal which sees him pocket a cool £290,000 per week.
He has already won all club honors possible with Barcelona and will be looking to improve upon his already well-established credentials this season. With the sale of Neymar, he has added responsibility to make sure Barcelona meet their lofty expectations.
#3: Gareth Bale
Bale has struggled with injuries
Gareth Bale has had quite the time at Real Madrid till now. Moving in a then world record deal from Tottenham, he has divided opinion among the Madrid faithful particularly due to his long and frequent injury absences.
The Welsh winger earns £350,000 a week and Madristas will be hoping he is past his latest injury setback and can show the goalscoring form he has always displayed in the Spanish Capital on a more prolonged and durable basis.
#2: Cristiano Ronaldo
He is the current Ballon d'Or winner
Cristiano Ronaldo currently gets paid what he deserves to score goals left and right every match-day. The current Ballon d'Or holder earns an astonishing £365,000 per week at Real Madrid, their highest paid superstar.
Ronaldo will be looking to make a mark this Saturday and remind everyone that Barcelona still hasn't won the league yet. The superstars get paid the big bucks and none can say he doesn't deserve it given the performances he churns out on a regular basis.
#1: Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi recently put pen to paper on a new contract that will keep him at Barcelona till 2021 and makes him the highest paid footballer ever. He earns a whopping £500,000 ($875,000) per week.
The 5 time Ballon d'Or winner certainly warrants the salary he is paid to mesmerize audiences throughout the globe with his artistry and with Neymar having being sold, his contract extension with the figures it includes portrays a positive move for Barcelona. Messi will be hoping he can lead Barcelona to another successful season both nationally and on the continent, with Chelsea looming in the Champions League round of 16.
