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Ten of the Greatest El Clasico Football Moments of All Time
El Classico is any football match between UEFA Champions League and Copa del Rey clubs. However, the name was originally applied to any football match between the rival sides FC Barcelona and Real Madrid.
The UEFA Champions League is one of the most important and watched annual athletic tournaments. Likewise, there are other notable occurrences that occurred during the matches.
Among these, several stand out as the most remarkable and finest El Classico football moments.
And we’ve produced a list of ten of the greatest football moments in history.
We have it all, from a battle between two rival clubs to a pig head being thrown on the ground.
Please bear with us as we showcase the ten best El Classico football moments of all time.
Without further ado, let’s get started with our list.
10 Best El Clasico Football Moments of all Time
Moments | Year |
10. Figo faces hostile return to Barca | 2002 |
9. Ronaldinho’s standing ovation | 2005 |
8. Johan Cruyff’s Arrival | 1974 |
7. Messi vs. Ronaldo on the European stage | 2011 |
6. Lionel Messi rubs salt on the wounds | 2016-17 |
5. 2011 UCL Semi-final | 2011 |
4. Mass brawl in Supercopa | 2011 |
3. Messi/Suarez/Neymar run riot with a 4-0 win | 2015 |
2. Raul’s Nou Camp silencer | 1999 |
1. Copa Del Ray final 2014 | 2014 |
10. Figo’s Hostile Return to Barcelona
We’ll begin with one of the most shocking and distressing El Classico moments right away.
There aren’t many situations when fans turn against a player from their favorite team.
However, 2002 was one such instance.
Luis Figo left Barcelona in 2000 to join Real Madrid.
After two years, the Portuguese player returned to Barcelona, only to face one of the most cruel and humiliating moments of his career.
Barca fans have not completely forgiven Figo for joining a rival team.
A pig’s head on the Nou Camp pitch was thrown in his direction as passions ran high.
A pig’s head dropped near the corner flag as Figo approached to take a corner.
The garbage and beer cans were all aimed at the once-loved footballer by Barcelona fans.
Many believe it was intended to call him a traitor.
But it was also evidence of how much he was adored.
In 2004, the pig head was shown as part of the German exhibition “Cult Scene Stadium.”
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Standing Ovation for Ronaldinho
Ronaldinho, a retired Brazilian professional footballer, is without a doubt one of the best players of his generation.
His standing ovation El Classico moment is number 9 on our list of the best football moments.
Players do not always receive standing ovations from opposing crowds.
However, Ronaldinho’s outstanding performance in 2005 garnered him a standing ovation from the entire audience.
Ronaldinho delivered an outstanding performance.
He scored by gliding past the defenders and getting past Iker Casillas with excellent movement.
He scored two solo goals as Barcelona defeated Real Madrid 3-0.
Everyone, even Real Madrid fans, was on their feet when Ronaldinho scored with remarkable ease.
Even his opponents praised his performance.
Ronaldinho later admitted that he had no idea the Madrid fans were cheering him on.
Nonetheless, it is the appreciation that just a few players have been able to experience.
The Arrival of Johan Cruyff
John Cruyff’s entrance at Barcelona in 1974 ranks eighth on the list of El Classico’s best football moments.
It’s one of the best El Classico moments of all time.
Cruyff selected Barcelona over Real Madrid after leaving Ajax.
He also stated that he would never play for a team linked with Franco.
And we know who the rivals are for these two clubs.
Cruyff won one of the most legendary El Classico victories after signing with Barcelona in February 1974.
He was instrumental in the 5-0 triumph at the Bernabeu, assisting on three goals.
His entrance altered the course of Spanish football. Johan Cruyff transformed Barcelona into a player and manager.
7. On the European Stage, Messi vs. Ronaldo
Another Real Madrid and Barcelona moment ranks seventh on our list of the top El Classico football moments of all time.
Furthermore, we have two football titans facing battle this time.
The debate over whether Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo is superior has long split football fans.
For the first time, these two players faced off in the European arena in 2011.
The fans were ecstatic because they could see them battling head to head.
Nonetheless, both players delivered outstanding performances.
However, the game was won by Barcelona, and Messi was the winner at the moment.
He almost single-handedly propelled Barcelona to the Champions League final.
The game was won by the team by a score of 2-0.
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6. Lionel Messi Applying Salve to Wounds
On our number six, we have Lionel Messi’s El Classico moment, which also resulted in one of the most iconic soccer photographs.
There’s nothing like rubbing salt in a wound, and it was that time.
In the 2017 season of the second El Classico, Messie scored a late goal that turned the game against Real Madrid.
Both teams were knotted at two goals apiece until Braca caught Madrid on a brilliant counterattack.
At 92 minutes, Jodi Alba got away from the ball and made a fantastic pass to Messi.
Then Messi scored a great goal by shooting the ball past Keylor Navas.
It was also his 500th goal for Barcelona.
Messi celebrated his goal by taking off his number 10 t-shirt and holding it up to the Madrid fans, insulting them.
Since then, the precise image shot at the time has been making the rounds on the internet.
5. Semi-finals of the 2011 UCL
Another of the best El Clasico football moments occurred during the 2011 UCL Semi-final.
It was one of the fierce rivalries between Barcelona and Madrid.
While Pep Guardiola was in charge of Barcelona, Jose Mourinho was in charge of Real Madrid.
Then Messi scored two late goals at the Bernabeu, giving Barcelona a commanding lead.
Marcelo scored a goal in the second leg of the contest to keep up with Barcelona.
However, it was insufficient for Madrid to attempt a comeback. Barcelona triumphed over their adversary.
4. Supercopa Mass Brawl
Now that we’ve covered a pig head being tossed and two of the biggest football titans going at it, you might be wondering what comes next.
You’ll be astonished because there’s a mass brawl going on in Supercopa.
A brawl cannot be described as the best, yet this moment is one of a kind.
On the football field, tension is not uncommon. Especially when you’re up against a long-standing foe.
The incident began when Marcelo unexpectedly lunged toward Cesc Fabregas.
Furthermore, it was during the height of Pep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho’s feud.
As a result, the referee sent the Brazilian player a straight red card.
Then there was the enormous brawl involving practically every official from either squad, followed by the tremendous turmoil on the field.
Mesut Ozil and David Villa were both ejected from the game.
The Supercopa ended with Barcelona winning 3-2, making it one of the most memorable El Clasico football memories.
3. Messi/Suarez/Neymar thrash Barcelona 4-0
The legendary triple of Barcelona’s 4-0 triumph against Real Madrid ranks third on our list of the finest El Clasico football moments.
The trio’s outstanding effort elevates it to one of the greatest moments in football history.
During the game, Luis Suarez scored three goals with two assists from Lionel Messi.
Neymar also scored his own goal for Barcelona.
The late second half was the game’s highlight. Messi had gone up to take a penalty but instead passed it to Suarez, who scored his third goal of the game.
The match is one of the trio’s best, featuring flawless cooperation.
For a long period, their adversary Madrid was devastated by the 4-0 result.
Raul’s Nou Camp Silencer No. 2
Raul’s Nou Camp silencer is ranked second among El Clasico’s top football moments in 1999.
It was the decisive moment in Real Madrid’s victory over Barcelona at the Nou Camp.
When the two adversaries meet, it is always a stressful moment.
During the 1990s, Barcelona’s dream team crushed Madrid with a 5-0 victory.
Raul scored Madrid’s first goal in five years at the Nou Camp.
Barcelona had already scored one goal before it, and Luis Figo added another in the second half.
Raul scored the game-tying goal with five minutes remaining.
Raul quickly placed his finger over his lips to “mute” the Barcelona fans as he celebrated the scoring.
It is without a doubt one of the most epic El Clasico moments.
1. Copa Del Ray 2014 Final
The Copa Del Ray final between Real Madrid and Barcelona in 2014 is our favorite El Clasico football moment.
Cristiano Ronaldo was out injured, thus it was Gerth Bale who carried the squad to victory.
Madrid and Barcelona were tied at one goal apiece.
Bale picked up the ball at the last second, with five minutes remaining in the game, and ran past Bartra into the penalty area.
Then, from six yards out, Bale placed the ball past the goalkeeper for a fantastic goal.
His goal not only helped him win his first important honor, but it also proved vital in Madrid’s victory.
Bale’s stunning moment of brilliance is one of the best El Clasico moments that Madrid fans will never forget.
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Conclusion
Apart from FC Barcelona and Real Madrid, there are many other teams in Spain with a long history of the rivalry.
For football fans, the meeting between the teams is always a thrilling event.
One of the most watched athletic events in the world, these Spanish football powerhouses consistently provide El Classico memories for their fans.
We hope you enjoyed our selection of the top moments.