Real Madrid vs Barcelona: El Clasico all-time best XI

Real Madrid CF v FC Barcelona - La Liga
Real Madrid CF v FC Barcelona - La Liga

CM – Zinedine Zidane (Real Madrid)

Real Madrid Training Session and Press Conference
Real Madrid Training Session and Press Conference

He is unarguably one of the greatest midfielders to play the game. Currently at the helm at the Santiago Bernabeu, Zidane moved to Real Madrid for a world-record €77m from Italian powerhouse Juventus in 2001.

Playing at the center of the park, the Frenchman quickly became a central figure for Real Madrid.

He made 155 appearances during his five-year stint in the Spanish capital, and amidst the many titles won, he quickly went on to become a legend at the club.

CM – Xavi (Barcelona)

FC Barcelona v Rayo Vallecano de Madrid - La Liga
FC Barcelona v Rayo Vallecano de Madrid - La Liga

Xavi made his Barcelona debut as a teenager back in 1998 and would grow into one of the greatest-ever midfielders in Europe.

Alongside his compatriot Andres Iniesta, he led Barcelona to the summit of club football and brought an incredible level of success to the club.

Xavi won 25 titles with Barcelona, including five La Liga and four Champions League titles. He moved on to Qatar-based club Al-Sadd, ending his 17-year stay at the Camp Nou.

CM – Andres Iniesta (Barcelona)

Barcelona v Real Madrid - La Liga
Barcelona v Real Madrid - La Liga

Andres Iniesta is widely regarded as one of the best and naturally gifted midfielders of his generation.

The La Masia graduate made his debut for Barcelona in 2002 and was one of the reasons behind the club’s decision to develop home-grown talent. He is known for his ability to smoothly dictate the flow and pace of the game.

He was instrumental in Barcelona’s recent success and helped the club to nine league titles, four Champions League titles and seven Copa del Rey, to name a few.

LW – Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid)

Real Madrid v Liverpool - UEFA Champions League Final
Real Madrid v Liverpool - UEFA Champions League Final

Alongside Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo is arguably the greatest player to grace the game of football. Over the course of his career, the Juventus forward has proven he is a serial winner.

Ronaldo moved to Real Madrid from Manchester United for a world-record £80m fee. He brought an incredible level of success to the club and built one of the fiercest rivalries with Barcelona’s Lionel Messi.

Ronaldo brought a trophy haul to the Santiago Bernabeu, especially in the European competitions. He inspired the club to four Champions League titles, the Club World Cup and three UEFA Super Cups.

CF – Ronaldo Nazario (Real Madrid)

Ronaldo Nazario
Ronaldo Nazario

After a sensational 2002 World Cup performance, Real Madrid snapped up Ronaldo from Inter Milan for €45m.

He is widely considered the greatest ever centre-forward in world football, after starring for some of the biggest clubs in Europe.

Ronaldo boasts the best goalscoring ratio of any Real Madrid player barring CR7, after scoring 62 goals in 98 appearances across all competitions for the club.

The Brazilian inspired Real Madrid to one La Liga title and one International Cup title, before moving to AC Milan in 2007.

RW – Lionel Messi (Barcelona)

FC Barcelona v SD Huesca - La Liga Santander
FC Barcelona v SD Huesca - La Liga Santander

This list would be incomplete without the addition of the greatest player in Barcelona’s history. At the age of 13, Lionel Messi began playing for the Barcelona Under-14 team, before quickly graduating into the higher squads.

Lionel Messi made his Barcelona debut in October 2004, and the rest, they say, is history. The Argentine superstar has enjoyed a glittering career at the Camp Nou, leading the club to an incredible level of success.

He has made the most appearances for the club, with over 768 appearances under his belt. With over 700 goals to his name, he is also the club's all-time leading goalscorer.

Lionel Messi has won a jaw-dropping 34 major trophies with Barcelona, including 10 La Liga titles and four Champions League titles. All eyes will be on the six-time Ballon d’Or winner, who is set to lead Barcelona to another El Clasico on Saturday.

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