Every season, when Real Madrid and FC Barcelona meet, the football world stops. El Clásico is not just a match — it’s history, pride, and a rivalry that transcends sport. This Sunday, October 26, both giants will face off for the first time in the 2025/26 season at the Santiago Bernabéu, in what promises to be another chapter filled with tension, passion, and emotion.

Two clubs that shaped Spanish football history

Real Madrid and Barcelona are the two most successful clubs in Spain, and together, they’ve defined the narrative of world football. Their rivalry dates back to the early 20th century and has survived generations of players, managers, and ideologies. Each duel between them tells a story that goes beyond football — a story of culture, identity, and power.

The origins: where it all began

The first meeting between the two took place in 1902, during the semifinals of the Copa de la Coronación, a precursor to the Copa del Rey. Barcelona won that game 3–1, marking the beginning of a rivalry that has never stopped growing.

In the 1940s, the tension between the clubs deepened due to political factors. During Francisco Franco’s dictatorship, Barça became a symbol of Catalan identity and resistance, while Real Madrid was seen as the representation of the central regime. From that point on, their clashes took on a symbolic tone that still resonates today.

From “Match of the Century” to “El Clásico”

While the term El Clásico became globally popular in the 21st century, Spanish media had been using it long before. In the 1970s and 1980s, newspapers and TV broadcasts often referred to their duels as “the match of the century” due to the star-studded lineups and the impact those encounters had across Europe.

Over time, the name El Clásico became official — a synonym for spectacle. It represents a showdown of pure footballing artistry, intensity, and emotion, where history and talent collide.

Head-to-head record

Across all official competitions — LaLiga, Copa del Rey, Supercopa de España, and Champions League — the two Spanish giants have faced each other 260 times:

• Real Madrid: 105 wins
• Barcelona: 103 wins
• Draws: 52

A nearly perfect balance that showcases how evenly matched they’ve been for more than a century.

Legendary scorelines

Real Madrid achieved the biggest win in El Clásico history in 1943, thrashing Barça 11–1 in the Copa del Generalísimo. On the other hand, Barcelona responded in 1951 with a 7–2 victory in LaLiga. Both matches remain etched in the memories of fans across generations.

Finals and unforgettable moments

The two clubs have met in 18 official finals, splitting them evenly — nine titles each.
The first came in 1936, when Real Madrid won 2–1 in the Copa de la República. Decades later, in 1968, came the infamous “Bottle Final”, when Barça won 1–0 at the Bernabéu amid a chaotic and hostile atmosphere.

European battles and global dominance

In the Champions League, they’ve faced each other eight times. Real Madrid has won three, Barcelona two, and there have been three draws.
Their first European clash was in 1959/60, with Madrid triumphing 6–2 on aggregate. The most recent came in 2010/11, when Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona eliminated Madrid in the semifinals and went on to beat Manchester United in the final.

The top scorers in El Clásico history

Lionel Messi remains the all-time top scorer in El Clásico with 26 goals, a record that seems nearly untouchable. On the Real Madrid side, Cristiano Ronaldo and Alfredo Di Stéfano share the record with 18 goals each.