The intense rivalry between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid CF, epitomized by El Clásico, is one of the most anticipated fixtures in world football. But the path leading up to this iconic matchup each season is just as fascinating. How have these two footballing giants fared before their first La Liga meeting? And how might this year’s clash, given recent form, be the most exciting in nearly a decade?
This chart offers a statistical breakdown of Barcelona and Real Madrid’s performance leading up to their first La Liga El Clásico in each of the past 10 seasons, analyzing wins, goals scored, goals conceded, and points accumulated. This historical analysis sets the stage for the 2024 edition, which—given both teams’ stellar form and recent high-intensity matches—could be the most thrilling since their 2016 battle.