No player embodies El Clásico like Lionel Messi.
During his 17 years at Barcelona, Messi participated in 45 El Clásico matches, leaving an indelible mark with unforgettable moments throughout the rivalry.
With 26 goals and 14 assists in these high-stakes encounters, Messi is undoubtedly the first name that comes to mind when discussing this monumental football fixture.
Here, we examine Messi’s most remarkable El Clásico highlights.
Like Buses in London
Having already played in two Clásicos, Messi made his impact felt with an assist during a 3-0 victory at the Bernabéu on his debut in November 2005.
A 2-0 defeat in his next appearance served as a stark reminder of the fierce rivalry’s unpredictable nature.
Taking that loss personally, a 19-year-old Messi scored his first goal in the return match in March 2007, netting within just 11 minutes.
After failing to find the net in his first couple of encounters, he quickly made up for it, scoring twice more to complete his first hat-trick in a thrilling 3-3 draw.
A Brace in a Rout
By the end of the 2007-08 season, having played in four Clásicos with only one win to show for it, Messi was eager for redemption.
While Barcelona did secure a 2-0 victory at Camp Nou in December 2008 with Messi scoring, it was in the return match that he truly showcased his talent.
After Gonzalo Higuaín had given Madrid a 1-0 lead at the Bernabéu, Messi assisted Thierry Henry for his opener.
Messi then netted himself ten minutes before halftime and scored again to clinch a phenomenal 6-2 victory, effectively sealing the title for Barcelona.
Shining on the European Stage
Messi had already made an impression in LaLiga clashes between the rivals, but he truly shone on the European stage in April 2011.
During the first leg of the 2010-11 Champions League semifinal, Messi scored twice, leading Barcelona to a 2-0 win at the Bernabéu as they aimed for his third Champions League title.
Messi 2-2 Ronaldo
The October 2012 encounter was marked by the rivalry between Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, turning it into a personal showdown.
Ronaldo opened the scoring, but Messi responded with two goals, including a stunning free-kick that seemed to secure victory for Barcelona.
However, Ronaldo equalized six minutes later, leaving both superstars to continue their duel another day.
A Hand in All Four Goals
Not many players have multiple Clásico hat-tricks, but Lionel Messi is among them.
Seven years after his first, he contributed to all four goals as Barcelona triumphed 4-3 at the Bernabéu in March 2014.
Messi assisted Andrés Iniesta early on, then scored a hat-trick with two second-half penalties that turned a 3-2 deficit into a stunning victory.
The Unforgettable Shirt
Having an illustrious career means that not every hat-trick in El Clásico could define your legacy.
In April 2017, as Barcelona and Real Madrid vied for the LaLiga title, they met in a tense affair in Madrid.
With the score tied at 2-2, Messi netted Barcelona’s opener.
With only two minutes of stoppage time remaining, he scored a dramatic winner off a cross from Jordi Alba, sending the ball into the bottom corner and igniting wild celebrations.
This moment is etched in football history not just for the goal but for Messi’s iconic celebration as he raised his shirt to reveal his name to the shocked Madrid crowd, though Real Madrid would ultimately claim the title that year.