A combined lineup of the best players from Barcelona and Real Madrid.
With the first Clasico of the season coming up at the Nou Camp this Saturday, there are more and more big names on show than ever. Both clubs continued their tradition of big-name and big-money signings as they brought in some of the world’s best talent during the summer transfer window. With £48m Brazilian prodigy Neymar finally making a keenly-anticipated move to Europe to link up with Messi and co at Barcelona, and Real Madrid breaking the world transfer record again with their £85m signing of Gareth Bale from Tottenham, just how do we go about fitting all this world class attacking talent into one starting eleven?
Defence
Iker Casillas – The Spanish goalkeeper may not currently be first choice for Real Madrid, but as one of the best goalkeepers in the club’s history and still a world class performer, Casillas has to make this El Clasico XI ahead of his backup Diego Lopez or Barcelona counterpart Victor Valdes.
Dani Alves – The stand-out performer in a somewhat dodgy Barcelona backline, the Brazilian right-back is the only member of the Catalan giants representing his side in this all-star team.
Marcelo – Alves’ fellow countryman Marcelo is the starter at left-back here after a superb few years as first choice for Real Madrid, though Barca’s Jordi Alba is an unfortunate exclusion from the side.
Pepe – A rock solid and uncompromising centre-back, Portuguese international Pepe makes up one half of the Real Madrid central defensive partnership, which is certainly superior to Gerard Pique and Carles Puyol on recent form.
Sergio Ramos – The long-serving Spanish centre-back partners Pepe in the defence, and his fine form and commitment to the cause could make all the difference this weekend.
Midfield
Xavi – Although Real Madrid have some fine midfielders themselves, Xavi is an easy choice alongside his midfield partner Andres Iniesta here, as one of the finest players of his generation and a legend for both club and country.
Andres Iniesta – The other half of this tiki-taka duo, Iniesta alongside Xavi would still be first choice for any team on the planet, and the likes of Sami Khedira, Xabi Alonso, Luka Modric and Isco simply aren’t quite on the same incredible level of these two. Real Madrid may have dominated the defence in this Clasico XI, but it is no surprise to see Barcelona dominate the midfield, with superb players such as Sergio Busquets and Cesc Fabregas unfortunate to miss out on places as well.
Attack
Gareth Bale – In a somewhat fluid-looking attacking quartet, we find space for £85m man Gareth Bale on the right flank, though of course the supremely talented Welshman would no doubt move around and swap positions with his team-mates here. Often played behind the striker last season for Tottenham, Bale can still cut in onto his superb left foot to good effect from the right, and the world will be watching as the most expensive player in history makes his debut in the biggest derby match in the world.
Neymar – On the opposite side we have Brazilian starlet Neymar, whose transfer to Barcelona was the other major coup of the summer, with the Catalan giants beating a host of Europe’s top clubs to his signature. The 21-year-old has started well at the Nou Camp in this position, with 2 goals and 5 assists so far this season. Much has been asked of his ability to adapt to the biggest stage, and there will be none bigger than this game on Saturday.
Lionel Messi – Deployed just behind the main striker here, Lionel Messi can play the false 9 role to good effect and although he has out-scored Cristiano Ronaldo in recent times, his ability to link play and run at defenders from a deep position mean he is probably best used behind the Real Madrid man. Messi scored 60 goals in 50 games last season, and has 12 in 11 so far this term.
Cristiano Ronaldo – Although not strictly speaking a striker, Cristiano Ronaldo fits in best into this side as the focal point of the attack, as his finishing is surely his greatest strength. The Portuguese super star has an amazing record of 216 goals in 211 appearances for Real Madrid, and is currently ahead of Messi with 15 in 12 games at the start of this campaign.
Real Madrid’s big names slightly out-number Barcelona 6 to 5 in this XI, though Barca’s amazing teamwork may still see them as favourites for this weekend’s clash.