One of the most intensive rivalries in sports is the one between F.C Barcelona and Real Madrid.
You could say that it is the most intsensive rivalry between two football clubs in any competition. Often watched by hundreds of millions of people around the world. Therefore it is one of the most watched football matches of all times.
Rivalries are common in football. Often because of geographical locations, matches between two teams from the same city, succes or clubimage. But besides these factors others that seperate the rivalry between these two clubs from the rest is the historical, political, philosophical and cultural aspects that are involved in "El Clasico".
Barcelona and Madrid are the two biggest cities in Spain, while
Madrid represents nationalism and the Castillian Empire Barcelona
respresents Catalan Nationalism. The rivalry became really fierce in the
30's when Real Madrid became the symbol of conservatism during
Franco's dictatorship. F.C. Barcelona on the other hand became the
representation of Catalan progressivism.
In 1936 when the Spanish Civil War started a lot of Barcelona players enlisted in the ranks to fight against the military. Club president Josep Sunyol was murdered by soldiers on the 6th of August, this resulted in becoming a martyr for Barcelonisme.
In 1938 Barcelona came under bombardment resulting in more then 3000 people losing their lives. A few months later Catalunya was occupied and after the civil war ended a lot of restrictions followed. The Catalan flag was banned and the club was forced to change its name to Club de Futbal Barcelona.
Although it was difficult to achieve great successes, under the dictatorship of Franco they did all right even winning a few titles. The supporters often protested with other civilians against the Franco regime. Therefore the club became known as a defender of freedom and human rights, hence Barcelona's motto: "mes que un club"
A lot of Catalans decided to join F.C. Barcelona to protest against the Franco Regime instead of joining a dangerous anti-Franco movement. Meanwhile Real Madrid was the embodiment of the Facist regime. One of the most important people in the histroy of Real Madrid was Santiago Bernabeu, a man who played for Madrid and was club president and has the current stadium named after him, he also fought as a soldier for Franco's nationalist forces.
All these things caused mutual hatred between Barcelona and Real Madrid, over the years a lot of incidents occured that have been adding oil to the fire.
The signing of legendary foreward Alfredo di Stefano is a example of such a incident. He initialy signed for Barcelona but after a lot of bureaucratical problems Real president Santiago Bernabeu tried to get the player to sign with Madrid, which he did. This caused a lot of problems. In the end a deal was made saying both clubs would have him for 2 years, which led to a lot of protest from Barcelona causing their club president to resign, after that Di Stefano went to play with Madrid, who claimed it was a voluntary decision by Barcelona to led him go. However Barcelona always claimed that there was intimidation from the Franco regime involved.
Over the years a lot of small incidents occurred as well. A big more recent one is the transfer of Luis Figo to Real Madrd. Figo was vice captain and considered a fan favourite. The move felt as a betrayal on his part and visiting Camp Nou was difficult for him in the years after that because Barca fans would always throw stuff at him.
During this time Real Madrid Began the Galacticos era which involved signing a world class player every year. Barcelona on the other hand was trying to evolve with total football brought to them years before by Johan Cruyff.
Currently Barcelona's style has been more succesfull for winning titles and cups, while displaying beautiful football, Madrid on the other hand is a tough opponent for everyone and one of the best teams in the world. However it has not brought them much succes on the sport aspect, from a marketing perspective they did great.
As of today El Clasico remains one of the most discussed and watched matches in the world, getting tickets for the game is really expensive. Every year a lot of Catalans, Madrid supporters and fans of both teams all over the world look foreward to their matches as their intense rivalry continues and it probably will keep going on for a lot more decades to come.
SOURCE: www.www.apartime.com
In 1936 when the Spanish Civil War started a lot of Barcelona players enlisted in the ranks to fight against the military. Club president Josep Sunyol was murdered by soldiers on the 6th of August, this resulted in becoming a martyr for Barcelonisme.
In 1938 Barcelona came under bombardment resulting in more then 3000 people losing their lives. A few months later Catalunya was occupied and after the civil war ended a lot of restrictions followed. The Catalan flag was banned and the club was forced to change its name to Club de Futbal Barcelona.
Although it was difficult to achieve great successes, under the dictatorship of Franco they did all right even winning a few titles. The supporters often protested with other civilians against the Franco regime. Therefore the club became known as a defender of freedom and human rights, hence Barcelona's motto: "mes que un club"
A lot of Catalans decided to join F.C. Barcelona to protest against the Franco Regime instead of joining a dangerous anti-Franco movement. Meanwhile Real Madrid was the embodiment of the Facist regime. One of the most important people in the histroy of Real Madrid was Santiago Bernabeu, a man who played for Madrid and was club president and has the current stadium named after him, he also fought as a soldier for Franco's nationalist forces.
All these things caused mutual hatred between Barcelona and Real Madrid, over the years a lot of incidents occured that have been adding oil to the fire.
The signing of legendary foreward Alfredo di Stefano is a example of such a incident. He initialy signed for Barcelona but after a lot of bureaucratical problems Real president Santiago Bernabeu tried to get the player to sign with Madrid, which he did. This caused a lot of problems. In the end a deal was made saying both clubs would have him for 2 years, which led to a lot of protest from Barcelona causing their club president to resign, after that Di Stefano went to play with Madrid, who claimed it was a voluntary decision by Barcelona to led him go. However Barcelona always claimed that there was intimidation from the Franco regime involved.
Over the years a lot of small incidents occurred as well. A big more recent one is the transfer of Luis Figo to Real Madrd. Figo was vice captain and considered a fan favourite. The move felt as a betrayal on his part and visiting Camp Nou was difficult for him in the years after that because Barca fans would always throw stuff at him.
During this time Real Madrid Began the Galacticos era which involved signing a world class player every year. Barcelona on the other hand was trying to evolve with total football brought to them years before by Johan Cruyff.
Currently Barcelona's style has been more succesfull for winning titles and cups, while displaying beautiful football, Madrid on the other hand is a tough opponent for everyone and one of the best teams in the world. However it has not brought them much succes on the sport aspect, from a marketing perspective they did great.
As of today El Clasico remains one of the most discussed and watched matches in the world, getting tickets for the game is really expensive. Every year a lot of Catalans, Madrid supporters and fans of both teams all over the world look foreward to their matches as their intense rivalry continues and it probably will keep going on for a lot more decades to come.
SOURCE: www.www.apartime.com
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