El Clasico: The ultimate stat guide to Spain’s biggest football rivalry

El Clasico refers to a match between two of La Liga's biggest teams in Barcelona and Real Madrid. 

Initially, the term was only used for the matches in the domestic Spanish championship. Over the years, however, it’s been globally recognized for every single meeting such as in the UEFA Champions League or even domestic cup competitions like Copa del Rey and Supercopa de Espana.

Real Madrid vs Barcelona: El Clasico head-to-head record in all competitions

Since their first-ever meeting in the now defunct Copa de la Coronacion in 1902, Real Madrid and Barcelona have crossed paths on 300 occasions with the record European champions winning 111 matches while Barcelona have come out on top in 125 outings. Only 64 of those 300 matches between the teams have been drawn.

Real Madrid vs Barcelona: El Clasico head-to-head in La Liga

Since La Liga’s inception in 1929, Real Madrid and Barcelona have played each other in every single season. From 1929 to August 2024, the two teams have played a total of 188 La Liga matches where Madrid have won 79 and Barcelona 74. Only 35 league matches between the teams have ended without a winner.

Most goals in El Clasico

Former Barcelona forward Lionel Messi has scored the most goals in El Clasico. Since making his first Clasico appearance in 2005, the Argentine legend has played a joint-record 45 matches against Madrid, scoring 26 goals. This includes two hat-tricks in 2007 and 2014.

Former Real Madrid forwards Alfredo Di Stefano and Cristiano Ronaldo share the second spot with 18 goals each.

Most appearances in El Clasico

The record for most appearances in El Clasico is shared by Messi and his current PSG teammate Sergio Ramos. The two veterans have appeared in 45 Clasicos. Sergio Busquets, Francisco Gento, Manuel Sanchis and Xavi sit second with 42 Clasico appearances to their name.

Biggest win in El Clasico

The biggest win in an El Clasico match dates back to June 1943 when Real Madrid humiliated Barcelona 11-1 in a Copa del Rey encounter. For Barcelona, their biggest win over Real Madrid is a 7-2 La Liga triumph in September 1950.

Since the turn of the century, Barcelona have put five or more goals past Real Madrid on as many as three occasions. Madrid, on the other hand, are yet to score five goals in a single match against Barcelona since 2000.

Players who represented  both Real Madrid and Barcelona since 2000

Since Luis Figo’s controversial move from Barcelona to Real Madrid in 2000, only Javier Saviola has made a direct switch between the two. Since the turn of the century, as many as six different players have played for both Real Madrid and Barcelona. The list is as follows:

From Barcelona to Real Madrid

2000: Luis Figo (direct transfer)

2000: Albert Celades (via Celta Vigo)

2002: Ronaldo (via Inter)

2007: Javier Saviola (direct transfer)

From Real Madrid to Barcelona

2000: Alfonso Perez (via Real Betis)

2004: Samuel Eto’o (via Mallorca)

Featured photo: AFP / Josep Lago