Football is full of professional rivalries - Liverpool Vs Everton, Manchester United Vs Man. City, Arsenal Vs Tottenham, however none of them are arguably as explosive as games between Barcelona and Real Madrid. Whenever the two teams meet, the match even has its own name - El Clasico - and is billed as one of the most exciting matches to watch in the world.
Like many professional rivalries in sport, the Barcelona/Real Madrid animosity stems from a general competition between the two cities. During the Civil War, Madrid was an ally of General Franco, where as Barcelona was more tied to its Catalan roots and resented Franco's attempted control. They had their reasons - Franco was determined to unify the country and therefore quash Barcelona's traditions and independence, including trying to wipe out its local language - Castilian Spanish.
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During the Civil War, Barcelona was even told to deliberately lose a game against Madrid on Franco's orders. They took this to the extreme and lost 11-1. Officials were so incensed, that the Barcelona team was fined and suspended. This started the beginning of the rivalry and saw Real Madrid seize the lead, wining five European Cup titles.
Real Madrid became the most respected and well known team on the planet until 1961 when Barcelona fought back with a vengeance, knocking Madrid out of the European Cup tournament. This took the rivalry to a whole new level.
Barcelona also refuse certain commercial aspects that other teams utilise, such as sponsorship and other 'money-grabbing' schemes. The fact that Real Madrid do so, is also seen as sticking it to the opposition, who Barcelona see as selling out, as opposed to them being a 'sporting club' in it for the glory.
Today, when players move between the teams, the newspapers make an event of it. In 2000, Luis Figo moved from Barcelona to Real Madrid for a record transfer fee, but as a result incurred the wrath of fans who let their displeasure be known by throwing rubbish (and even a pig's head at him) during matches.
While the rivalry is a symbiotic relationship, with both teams needing each other to make the headlines and drawing the crowds, the rivalry is as strong as even. Both teams are members of the G14 group - a collective of the 14 most powerful football teams on the planet, and whenever the two teams meet for a match, it is always a sell out event with millions of others tuning in to watch the clash.
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