Why El-Clasico is more than just football

The fierce rivalry between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid will be re-kindled on Saturday, December 3, as the world prepare for another episode of the famous El-Clasico.

All eyes will be on Camp Nou as hosts Barcelona will try to halt Real’s unbeaten run in the 2016/2017 La Liga season, and also move closer to their rivals who lead them with six precious points on the standings.

Every meeting of both teams has been marred with controversies as their clashes are always a ‘fight-to-finish’.

At the final of the Copa Del Rey in 2011, the rivalry intensified and the meeting of the two in the UEFA Champions League, Barcelona and Real Madrid were scheduled to meet each other four times in 18 days.

Several accusations of unsportsmanlike behaviour from both teams and a war of words erupted throughout the fixtures which included four red cards.

At that time, Vicente del Bosque, the Spanish national team coach revealed concerns the rising hatred between both clubs could cause friction in the Spain team.

To further add, the rivalry has been "encapsulated" by the rivalry between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi has taken the battle to another level.

Following the star signings of Neymar and Luis Suárez to Barcelona, and Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema to Madrid, the rivalry has been expanded to a battle of the clubs attacking trios, "BBC" (Bale, Benzema, Cristiano) against "MSN" (Messi, Suárez, Neymar).

Below are photos which explain the El-Clasico is more than just football.

Why El-Clasico is more than just football

As a player, Real Madrid's Zinedine Zidane grips Barcelona's Luis Enrique in the face

Barcelona's goalkeeper Victor Valdes trades words with the referee after issuing his team mate a yellow card

BARCELONA, SPAIN - AUGUST 17: Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid squares up to Andres Iniesta of Barcelona during the second goal during the Super Cup second leg match between Barcelona and Real Madrid at Nou Camp on August 17, 2011 in Barcelona, Spain.

Cristiano Ronaldo (R) of Real Madrid duels for the ball with Gerard Pique of FC Barcelona during the La Liga match between Real Madrid and Barcelona at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on April 10, 2010 in Madrid, Spain. Barcelona won the match 2-0.