Barcelona vs Real Madrid LIVE – Youngsters take centre stage with El Clasico robbed off its greatest superstars – Real Madrid and Barcelona meet in the league without either Sergio Ramos or Lionel Messi involved for the first time since 2005 when the two teams square off in the El Clasico this season. The two LaLiga giants will renew their rivalry as they undergo a phase of transition with their captains having left the club in the summer on a free transfer to Paris Saint-Germain. No one has played more El clásicos than Ramos or Messi, and the two will now be watching from the sidelines as they prepare for their own derby clash against Marseille.
El Clasico: Real Madrid, Barcelona face off for the first time without Ramos, Messi since 2005
El Clasico has been deprived of some serious quality over the past few seasons, with a host of departures from Real Madrid and Barcelona. While Los Blancos saw the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Raphael Varane and Sergio Ramos depart, Barcelona has overseen the exits of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Antoine Griezmann in recent years. None have embodied the spirit of El Clasico as Sergio Ramos and Lionel Messi have done, the duo growing synonymous with their respective clubs.
However, as fate would have it, both captains have now departed to Paris Saint-Germain, ushering the El Clasico into a new era. 16 years on since Ramos and Messi first clashed in what is dubbed as the biggest game in club football, both Real Madrid and Barcelona are placing their bets on the future, with Vinicis Jr, Rodrygo, Ansu Fati, Gavi and Pedri among the headline acts among a plethora of veteran stars.
El Clasico: Real Madrid, Barcelona face off for the first time without Ramos, Messi since 2005
As for Messi and Ramos, life has been rocky at Paris Saint-Germain. The Argentine has reportedly fallen out with Mauro Icardi and is yet to score in Ligue 1, but has lit up the Champions League with three goals. He’ll be hoping to break his duck against PSG’s arch rivals Marseille, in the French version of the Clasico, which kicks off hours after Barcelona vs Real Madrid. As for Ramos, he will have to watch the game on TV, as he continues recuperating from an injury. The ex Real Madrid captain is yet to make his debut, dealing with a series of injury problems that have hampered his return to action.
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