Bale: The Real-Barça rivalry is immense

Madrid sit second in the Liga table ahead of this weekend’s encounter, trailing leaders Barcelona by three points.

Neymar is a brilliant individual player just like Ronaldo, but is first and foremost an integral part of a great team.

We reckon a draw is a likely result, with Real not firing on all cylinders and Barca having to play minus Messi in front of a partisan crowd. They have their options but above all we want to be protagonists and take our chances.

“Messi is a player that makes a difference in all games and in Clasicos he has always made a big impact but we will have to see if he is ready”. It is my first Clasico as captain but there is no need to motivate people for this game. The 30-year-old is a player “playing under protest” and “not enjoying the game”, according to the club’s former director, Jorge Valdano.

As well as security forces, Dancausa met with representatives of the Madrid Town Hall, Real Madrid, the Madrid Metro and members of the Red Cross, the Provincial Brigade for Citizens’ Security and the Provincial Information Brigade.

Ronaldo’s response came as a surprise as there were Rumors that Mourinho was axed from Real Madrid because he fell out with the Portuguese superstar.

“The goal against Barca in the Copa del Rey is among my most favourite goals of my career and it’s one that will be etched in my memory for a long time”.

“Obviously Leo is the very best because of what he’s done and what he remains to do”.

While El Clasico is greater than any one or two players, Saturday’s match should feature the two brightest gems of a generation illuminating Spain’s most prestigious match for the seventh straight season.

It is 10 years this week since the 28-year-old played his first “Clasico” and he has left an indelible mark with a record 21 goals in 30 matches against Barca’s arch rivals. “If he is fit, for the most minimally fit that he is, he will play”.

Yet, despite a promising start to the campaign in a new central role, a persistent calf injury has restricted Bale to just seven appearances in Madrid’s 15 games this season.

Since Cristiano Ronaldo’s semi-inevitable arrival in Spain in 2009, Real Madrid’s games against Barcelona have formed a sturdy centre at the heart of the football world.

The infographic’s creators, Ticketbis.net have also published their own global sales figures, revealing that more fans have bought tickets to Sunday’s game from the United Kingdom than any of the other 23 countries from which overseas spectators hail.

– Luis Enrique’s team has lost two of their last three La Liga away games (W1).

– Barcelona have won more penalties than any other team in the Top 5 European Leagues this season (eight). Messi’s timely return looks to coincide with the biggest match of the season and the biggest league match on the planet – El Clasico.