Ranking Real Madrid And Barcelona Legends From 'GOAT' To 'Not Worthy Of El Clasico'
Who is the true king of El Clasico?
Real Madrid and Barcelona players have been ranked based on their El Clasico pedigree - ranging from 'GOAT' to 'Not Worthy' of the fixture.
Despite both not being at their best in recent years, El Clasico is still regarded as one of football's greatest fixtures.
A number of world class players have made their name in the fixture, while some have wilted under the intense spotlight.
SPORTbible have decided to rank a select number of players who have featured throughout the years. To stress, all of these players are incredibly talented, it is just based on their impact in this fixture
Not Worthy - Eden Hazard, Philippe Coutinho, David Beckham, Arturo Vidal, Alvaro Arbeloa
Average - Nicolas Anelka, Patrick Kulivert, Steve McManaman, Deco, Michael Owen, Gary Lineker, Guti, Cesc Fabregas, Kaka, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Claude Makelele, Michael Laudrup
Good - Victor Valdes, Gareth Bale, Hristo Stoichkov, Xabi Alonso, Pep Guardiola, Fabio Cannavaro, Neymar, Dani Alves, Clarence Seedorf
World Class - Ronaldinho, Roberto Carlos, Diego Maradona, Karim Benzema, Luke Modric, Sergio Busquets, Toni Kroos, Gerard Pique, Samuel Eto'o, Rivaldo, Fernando Hierro, Luis Suarez
Legendary - Cristiano Ronaldo, Andres Iniesta, Ronaldo Nazario, Xavi, Iker Casillas, Andres Iniesta, Raul, Carles Puyol, Sergio Ramos, Luis Figo, Zinedine Zidane
GOAT - Lionel Messi
Was there going to be anyone else but Lionel Messi in a league of his own?
The Argentine superstar became the bane of Iker Casillas' life after bursting onto the scene, with Keylor Navas and Thibaut Courtois also feeling his wrath in recent years.
Messi has scored 19 goals in 44 games against 'Los Blancos' in his career, with a number of iconic performances standing out.
His near two-decade association with Barcelona sees him ahead of Ronaldo, who lit up the fixture for nine years in Real Madrid white.
Defensive duo Carles Puyol and Sergio Ramos also rank in 'Legendary' alongside Barcelona's midfield magicians Andres Iniesta and Xavi.
Down in the 'Not Worthy' category are former Premier League duo Eden Hazard and Philippe Coutinho, who have had their times in Spain ravaged by injury.
Who do you think is the true 'GOAT' of El Clasico?
Let us know in the comments.
Featured Image Credit: AlamyTopics: Ronaldo vs Messi, El Clasico, Barcelona, Lionel Messi, Real Madrid, La Liga
Daniel Marland