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The new era of the Clasico: a clash between past and future | Primera Division

The otherworldly dimension is gone. Worn by Messi and Ronaldo, the Spanish Clasico grew into the biggest football match in the world. But who will not muse on the tenors of that time tonight? The heroes of the future must ease the pain.

It can go wrong.

Not so long ago, there was a time when large Belgian cinemas were almost completely filled for matches between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid. You simply see a masterpiece better on a mega screen.

The same company will soon again broadcast the Clasico in XL format. However, the interest may not be of the same magnitude.

The expectation is that even Camp Nou will not fill up. Optimistic estimates assume 80,000 occupied seats out of a total of 99,354. However, it will be the first Spanish topper since the pandemic to be played in front of the public.

The Clasico has lost some of its magic.

Christian in Leo

Shouldn’t it surprise you?

Real icon Cristiano Ronaldo left in 2018. Last summer, his eternal rival and Barca figurehead Lionel Messi joined. In 3 years time, the Clasico has lost its two great protagonists.

Add to that the ultimate bad boy Sergio Ramos.

And then you can’t even think about the times when Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola stood along the line. Whether Xavi and Iniesta were still shining in the midfield of the Blaugrana. Attack lines MSN and BBC looking each other in the eye…

With Karim Benzema, there is only one potential Golden Ball winner between the lines this afternoon. It has ever been different.

“Players come and players go”, Carlo Ancelotti philosophized against his better judgment yesterday. “Messi and Ronaldo have left, but the Clasico will always be special.”

The tourists in Barcelona think otherwise. Crowds that only descend for the Clasico or absolute extortionate prices for tickets: that is no longer there.

Malaise

The Spanish league is undeniably going through a transition period.

Due to the financial malaise at the Spanish top teams, La Liga watches helplessly as all the world stars went to the Premier League or PSG.

And when the portfolio did open, they were mostly setbacks. Just think of Eden Hazard, Philippe Coutinho and Ousmane Dembele. The countdown is on until Kylian Mbappé moves to the Royal…

That failed transfer policy made itself felt in European football. Between 2011 and 2018, Spain dominated the Champions League with 6 final victories in 8 editions (2 times Barça and 4 times Real).

Now there has not been a single representative in the final for three years. Teams from the Premier League, Bayern Munich, PSG and even Ajax were too strong along the way.

In the current edition it is even a struggle to get to the eighth finals. Real escaped against Inter and lost against Sheriff Tiraspol, Barca lost hard against Bayern and Benfica.

Eden Hazard could not yet live up to expectations at Real

But… in between all the Spanish misery there were also bright spots. Sparkles of hope for the future. Maybe this afternoon already.

At Barcelona, ​​Ansu Fati (18) got the heavy legacy of Messi’s jersey number. Last year, the attacker already crowned himself the youngest goalscorer ever in the Clasico. Now he is back in top form just in time after a knee injury.

Last season, the seemingly tireless Pedri (18) also made a full breakthrough. Invariably mentioned in the same breath as Andrés Iniesta, but unfortunately not due to a muscle injury.

And what about Gavi (17)? The midfielder only made his debut for Barça this season, but was immediately allowed to go to the Final Four of the Nations League with Spain. There he immediately turned out to be the revelation of the tournament.

Fati, Pedri and Gavi: the great hope of Barça.

There are also such guys around at Real, who will color world football in the coming years. Vinicius Junior (21) brought life back to life in the Koninklijke two years ago. The Brazilian guts has proven this season that he has become more efficient with 7 goals in 11 league matches.

His compatriot Rodrygo (20) is also about to explode. Summer acquisition Eduardo Camavinga (18) – the French midfielder came over from Rennes – is another such man for the future.

Messi and Ronaldo will not make them forget, but perhaps they will soften the lack.

Vinicius, Rodrygo and Camavinga are the men of the future at Real.

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