650 million viewers in 185 countries with over 30 customised cameras present. Tonight's highly-anticipated clash between Real Madrid and Barcelona will undoubtably smash records as world football's greatest talents do battle once again.
I always tend to look back at previous Clasico's when the big game approaches. I ask myself, how does the current roster compare to years gone by? How have both sides evolved in terms of tactics and progression?
Both Barcelona and Real Madrid's current squads are up there with the greatest. Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are at the peak of their powers, while Neymar, Bale and others dominate week in - week out.
Advert
But what about the worst players of all time? Is there a player who never fulfilled expectations?
Here's our combined XI of the worst Barcelona and Real Madrid players of all time:
Goalkeeper:José Manuel Pinto
Pinto may have spent six years at Barcelona, but the former Real Betis man never really cemented a regular place in the starting XI.
In fact, the Spanish shot stopper made just 31 appearances for the Catalan giants, with arguably his most infamous moment happening during the Champions League semi-final when he was sent off against Real Madrid.
Advert
Pinto wasn't exactly a bad footballer, but it's hard to find another goalkeeper who can fit into this XI.
Right Back - Julien Faubert
it was, and still is, one of the most bizarre transfers of all time.
Faubert wasn't even a regular for West Ham when Real swooped. In six months, the French midfielder played two games, fell asleep during a game and returned to the Premier League just six months later - £1.5 million well spent.
Advert
Incredibly, days before the signing of Faubert, Madrid were linked with moves for Jermaine Pennant and Aaron Lennon.
Centre Back - Jonathan Woodgate
Injuries plagued his career for years, so when Los Blancos signed Jonathan Woodgate in August 2004 for a transfer fee of £13.4 million, many scratched their head in disbelief.
Of course, an injury-free Woodgate was superb, but his career at Real Madrid was far from perfect. He scored an own goal on his debut and was eventually sent off.
Then injuries plagued his time at Real and nine appearances later, he returned to the North East with Middlesbrough. A disaster from start to finish.
Advert
Centre Back - Thomas Vermaelen
During his five year spell at Arsenal, he was regarded as one of the best defenders in the Premier League, but it all went down hill when Vermaelen decided to join Barcelona in August 2014.
Injuries and better defensive options meant the 31-year-old was used for the majority as a substitute.
He has made just nine appearances for Barcelona, and is now on loan at Roma - with the club having an option to buy at the end of the season.
Left Back - Dmytro Chygrynskiy
Advert
He may have won two league titles in five seasons at Shakhtar Donetsk, but in the 12 games he played, Chygrynskiy was regarded as one of Barcelona worst ever signings.
To make matters worse, his transfer was valued at around €25 million on a five-year deal.
11 months later, Chygrynskiy returned to Shakhtar for a fee of €15 million. The biggest waste of €10 million ever.
Right Wing - Alexander Hleb
There's just something about Arsenal players moving to Barcelona. 9 times out of 10, it just doesn't work out.
As we all know, Hleb was magnificent at Arsenal during his three year spell at the club, but it all went down hill when he completed a €17 million move to the Camp Nou in July 2008.
He made just 19 appearances for Barca, spending time at Stuttgart, Birmingham and Wolfsburg before have his contract terminated in 2012.
Centre Midfield - Thomas Gravesen
Along with Julien Faubert, this has to be one of the most unusual transfers in Real Madrid history.
A solid player with Everton, yes, but a glamorous move to the Spanish capital was just plain weird and unsurprisingly, the midfielder didn't live up to the always high expectations at Real.
But look on the bright side, Thomas is now worth £80 million and lives in Las Vegas with a stunning model. Goals.
Centre Midfield - Fabio Rochemback
He was regarded as a hot prospect for the future when he signed for Barcelona at the age of 20, but it just didn't work out for Fabio Rochemback.
In a five year period, he would score just four goals for the club. He did, however, manage to seal a move to the Premier League with Middlesbrough in 2005.
But that being said, he was touted as a massive talent during his time at Barca and his career never really got going.
Left Wing - Royston Drenthe
To put his career into perspective, Royston Drenthe retired from football at the age of 29 to pursue his dream of becoming a rap artist.
When he burst onto the scenes at Feyenoord, people began to talk about 'potentially' one of the greatest ever. At the under-21 European Championships in 2007, he won player of the tournament and everyone was talking about this incredibly gifted young winger.
Real Madrid snapped him up after plenty of interest elsewhere, but despite showing glimpses of brilliance, Drenthe never managed to fulfill his full potential and left in 2012.
Forward - Julio Baptista
His physique and stature was impressive, but his time at Real Madrid was far from it.
Julio Baptista was banging them in left, right and centre for Sevilla between 2003 and 2005 and earned himself a move to La Liga giants Real Madrid for a reported fee of £13.8 million.
He managed to score just eight league goals throughout the 2006 league campaign and was shipped to Arsenal in 2006.
Forward - Maxi Lopez
Last but not least, the man who joined Barcelona in 2005 for a fee of around $8 million - Maximiliano "Maxi" Gastón López.
Another player regarded as a top talent, Lopez failed to make an impact when called upon, and was used mainly as an 'impact' substitute.
He played just nine games in two seasons before joining FC Moscow in 2007 for a €2 million transfer fee. Not exactly spectacular.
Featured Image Credit: