Some of the world's most expensive and best footballers will be on show at the Camp Nou this Saturday evening as the first El Clasico of the season is played out.
With so much talent expected to feature, it got Sports Mole thinking: Who would earn a place in a combined team of players from Spain's most bitter of rivals?
After much deliberation, below are the 11 that made the cut.
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When Pep Guardiola took charge of Barcelona back in 2008, he quickly informed Valdes that he would need to act as the team's sweeper as well as goalkeeper. Those instructions coincided with Valdes being recognised as one of the world's best between the posts. Not only is the 31-year-old an astute shot-stopper, he is also more than comfortable in possession of the ball. It's that quality that sees Valdes start a number of Barcelona attacks - something that neither of his rivals at Real Madrid (Diego Lopez and Iker Casillas) can match.
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Manchester United were among the interested parties when Alba decided to leave Valencia in the summer of 2012, but the pull of Barcelona was just too difficult for the left-back to turn down. The 24-year-old has all the natural ability of a winger, while his defending has also improved with age. He is also the undisputed first-choice left-back for Spain. Overall, there are not many better than Alba in world football.
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The 26-year-old has his critics, but it is difficult to argue with the facts. The centre-back has won four La Liga crowns and two Champions League titles since re-joining Barcelona from Manchester United in 2008. He might lack the odd yard of pace, but his reading of the game is quite exceptional. His slight frame harmed his chances of success in England, but he has since developed both physically and mentally into a top defender.
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Varane's inclusion in this particular team is a surprising one based on his lack of consistent playing time, with injuries harming his progress in the early part of this season. However, there is little doubt that the 20-year-old has the ability to develop into the best defender in world football. He made 15 league appearances towards the end of last season, while he already has three French caps to his name. He is, without question, the outstanding young centre-back in the world.
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Like Pique, Ramos is another who splits opinion. On the one hand, he is a defender that has exceptional pace and strength, coupled with incredible ability on the ball. However, there is always a mistake in him. That said, 113 caps for Spain and 361 appearances for Madrid suggest that he cannot be doing too badly. On his day and when his mind is right, there are few better defenders in the world.
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For all the tika-taka football that Barca produce, it wouldn't be possible unless the side was built on solid foundations. Busquets is a Marmite footballer, mainly because of his theatrics, but he's appreciated by his teammates. Journalist Guillem Balague claimed in his book about Guardiola that Lionel Messi said to his coach during an early training session: 'Mister, always put Sergio in my team.' The Spanish international is renowned for his reading of the game, which allows him to break up play, before laying the ball on to a more creative teammate.
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Pass, pass, pass - that's the name of the game as far Xavi is concerned. There were those, with some vindication, that claimed that the 33-year-old's better days were behind him during the summer's Confederations Cup. He looked off the pace and even slugglish, but since the start of the new season, the experienced midfielder has proved the doubters wrong. There are few in world football that possess the level of vision and composure on the ball that Xavi does.
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There are no superlatives that can be used that haven't already been written or said about Iniesta. Nicknamed the 'The Illusionist' by the Spanish press, the 29-year-old is able to ghost beyond opponents with envious ease. He is by no means a speed merchant, but his balance, creativity and poise have resulted in him being regarded as the third-best player in the world behind Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi.
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The Welshman's Madrid career may still be in its infancy, but there is still reason for him to be included within this side. When 100% fit, Bale can be unplayable in a similar way to his Madrid teammate Ronaldo. Pace, power and accuracy are the three qualities that the 24-year-old brings to a side. What's more, the fact that he can score from seemingly impossible angles and distances makes him a genuine match winner.
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Ronaldo, who arrived at Madrid from Manchester United in 2009, has scored a quite stunning 214 goals in 210 games for the Spanish outfit. While a strike rate of one goal in every two games is considered impressive, Ronaldo and Messi continue to score more goals than appearances. The Portuguese, alongside Messi, is rightly considered as the best player in the world. In terms of the complete footballer, the 28-year-old is unchallenged.
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There is a reason why Ronaldo is not considered the undisputed best player in the world. That reason is a little Argentine called Messi. Since breaking into the Barcelona first team in 2004, Messi has scored 325 goals in 390 games. His best return came in the 2011-12 season, when he scored a sensational 73 times in 60 appearances. The 26-year-old has also won the Ballon d'Or in each of the last three years.
Written by
Liam Apicella
Liam Apicella
