Club Rivalry
Real Madrid and FC Barcelona have been rivals since the 30’s, after the dictatorship of Franco in 1939. During the 1930’s, people showed more interest in their political meetings than it did in their football matches, with FC Barcelona having to tour America to look for funding after the death of their president in the late 30’s. Some players never returned after this ‘rescue tour’ and the club faced a very difficult time with no president and a decrease in club memberships and subscriptions. Since the Civil War, the two teams have still hung closely to their political and cultural views and tensions.
FC Barcelona represent the Catalans, who propose a complete independence from Spain, as a separate state, and Real Madrid represent Castile, the former kingdom that became a part of Spain itself. Both teams are dominant in La Liga (Spanish League) in year out and it is this rivalry that has became knows as the El Clásico.
Check out the next chapter in history in Camp Nou, Barcelona:
FC Barcelona vs Real Madrid
Spanish Cup 2011-2012
25th of January at 10pm
