El Clasico: 5 players who could decide the game

The title race might be over, but plenty of pride is at stake as Camp Nou host Real Madrid on Sunday in the final El Clasico of the season. El Clasico represents one of the most famous rivalries in club football history and the last time these sides met, Barcelona destroyed Real Madrid 3-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu.

The two teams have enjoyed success this season but in a different arena. The Catalan giants have completed a domestic double last week. Real Madrid, meanwhile, has qualified for the UEFA Champions League finals but struggled for consistency in the league.

Without much ado, let’s take a look at the players who could decide the El Clasico:

#5 Jordi Alba

Alba (right) is one of the best left-backs in the world right now

Jordi Alba has been a revelation in La Liga this season. In 2017/18, the Spaniard has scored 2 goals and assisted 8 more in La Liga. He also has created 37 goal scoring opportunities in 30 league appearances this season. Apart from his defensive duties, the 29-year-old has been an attacking avenue for Barcelona.

Real Madrid was exposed on the flanks quite often this season. To worsen the situation, Real Madrid will be without the injured Dani Carvajal and Jordi Alba could expose Real Madrid’s weakness on the right.

His link-up play with Lionel Messi has been phenomenal throughout the season and expect nothing different from the pair on Sunday. Alba’s pace and passing abilities will make things tough for Real Madrid defenders.

#4 Sergio Ramos

Ramos could be in for a tough night

Real Madrid’s defense looked a lot vulnerable throughout the 2017/18 campaign and teams across Europe have exploited their weakness at the back.

With his centre-back partner, Raphael Varane, most likely to miss the El Clasico because of a calf problem, Real Madrid captain has a huge role to play on Sunday against the inform Barcelona side. Centre-back is one area where Real Madrid do not have a recognized backup option. They failed to sign a defender after the departure of Pepe last summer.

They have conceded 12 goals in their last 5 El Clasico fixtures. Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez are in stunning form at the moment, and the 32-year-old is in for a really busy night at the Camp Nou.

#3 Philippe Coutinho

Coutinho's first El Clasico

The Brazilian will be playing the first Clasico of his career. Cup-tied in Europe, Sunday’s Clasico is going to be the biggest test yet for Philippe Coutinho in Barcelona colors.

After a subdued start to his career at the Camp Nou, he played some eye-catching football in recent weeks and showed why Barcelona paid a lot of money to sign him.

Deployed on the flank, Coutinho has scored 2 goals and assisted 4 more in his last 6 La Liga appearances. He is yet to yet his peak form and the game Real Madrid could bring the best out of the 25-year-old. With Iniesta on the left, Coutinho could start on the right and will definitely cause a lot of problem to Real Madrid defenders, especially Marcelo.

#2 Cristiano Ronaldo

Ronaldo is in goal scoring spree at the moment

Cristiano Ronaldo is undoubtedly Real Madrid's best player this season. The 33-year-old has compensated for his poor start to 2017/18 season with some phenomenal performances since January.

After four goals in his 14 league games this season, Ronaldo has scored 20 goals in his last 11 La Liga appearances. With 17 goals, the Portuguese captain is the third highest goal scorer in El Clasico history. He has scored 11 goals at the Camp Nou and 5 of them came in La Liga. With 8 goals, Francisco Gento is the only Real Madrid player to score more goals than Ronaldo at the Camp Nou.

He is ruthless in front of goal at the moment and Barcelona defenders have a tough job on their hands on Sunday.

#1 Lionel Messi

Messi could cause a lot of problems to Real Madrid's defense

With 25 goals, Lionel Messi is the leading goal scorer in El Clasico history. He is well ahead of Real Madrid’s Alfredo di Stefano (18 goals) and Cristiano Ronaldo (17 goals).

Five times Ballon d'Or winner is in stunning form this season, scoring 12 goals in his last 9 La Liga appearances. In the recent weeks, he was exceptional in the away game against Deportivo and Copa del Rey finals against Sevilla.

Messi will once again play a big role against Real Madrid on Sunday. He has scored 42 goals in all competitions this season and will be leading the line for the Catalan giants along with Luis Suarez.