There is an unmissable soccer match to people who like soccer. That is El Clasico! El Clasico is a derby match between FC Barcelona with Messi and Real Madrid with Ronaldo. The original meaning is ‘classic victory’. As Messi and Ronaldo had 4 or more hat-tricks before the El clasico, the expectation of El Clasico is high. But after a fierce battle in the first El Clasico in 2013 the game was a draw at 1:1. In El clasico Laphael Varane who is 19 years old was selected as Man of Match (MOM) and seized the spotlight from journals. There is more meaning than just an interesting match, so let’s figure out the history and point of El Clasico.

 

The history of El clasico.

Spain has severe regionalism in Europe. The reasons are complex history and different culture and language by region. Among many countries, Castile pivoting on Madrid and Cataluna pivoting on Barcelona had especially senses of regionalism. In 1469 the Castile province integrated the other kingdom and made the Spainish Kingdom. But Cataluna who were very proud of its ethnic esteem resisted against the Spainish Kingdom’s reign. That is, Conflict between Cataluna acutely wishing independence and Castile which had to prevent Cataluna’s resistance were strongly expressed in soccer game.

In 1899 FC Barcelona was established in Barcelona by a businessman. Cataluna strongly expressed will of independence by supporting FC Barcelona. On the other hand in 1902, as the king of Spain gave a ‘Real’ meaning aristocrat, the Real Madrid was established in Madrid. El Clasico became a battle showing hope for Cataluna versus pride of Castile. Between two team’s splendid soccer games, there was Spain’s culture and history.

 

The aces of two teams, Messi vs Ronaldo.

 FC Barcelona’s Messi got a majestic 91 goals last season. He broke the record of maximum goals in one season that Gerd Muller who was German’s soccer hero, recorded in 1972 with 85 goals. Also on January 7th 2013, as Messi got a FIFA Ballond’or given to worlds best soccer player for the 4th consecutive year, he set a peerless record. More astonishing is that Messi making many records is that he is just 25 years old. So many fans are looking forward to his coming play!

On the other hands, Ronaldo was transferred from Manchester United to Real Madrid for an amazing 80 million pounds. In Real Madrid he has played remarkably as befits- his transfer fee and fame by getting 179 goals in 176 games. However it seemed a pity that he was always compared with Messi, so he was called a second-in-command.

 

 

The focusing points of El Clasico.

March 4th, 2013, will be third El Clasico. El Clasico always was a keen match, this El Clasico will be more intense than before. The reason is that FC Barcelona is in the lead with 62 winner-points. But Real Madrid, FC Barcelona’s strong competitor, fell to third with 46 winner-points. Namely, Real has to win in following El Clasico to get a hope about champion competition.

In El Clasico Messi and Ronaldo received attention as usual. Messi got 35 goals and Ronaldo got 24 goals in 22 league games. We can expect their goal competition in El clasico. Besides Real Madrid’s Raphael Varane, the 19 year old young player, selected as MOM in 2013’s first El clasico because of his remarkable activities is expected. When Varane participates in a game, Real Madrid recorded 86% winning rate. So we have to keep an eye to Varane as well as Messi and Ronaldo.

 

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