The record breakers of LaLiga Santander's #ElClasico

We are on the brink of a new edition of the most eagerly awaited face-off in LaLiga Santander and what better way to whet our appetite than by taking a look back at the players #BreakingLimits to make history in the Clasicos of the 21st century. Here are eight records which have defined the era. 

• Karim Benzema holds the record for netting the fastest #ElClasico goal in LaLiga Santander in the 21st century.The Lyon-born striker took just 21 seconds to beat the FC Barcelona goalkeeper and enter the history books of LaLiga Santander's #ElClasico. Although the Real Madrid frontman put his team in the ascendency in the very first minute of the 90, it wouldn’t be enough for his team to take home the three points on offer on Matchday 16 of the 2011/12 season, with Los Blancos ending up suffering a 3-1 reverse to Los Blaugranas. So little reward for the Frenchman who still holds the record! 

• The most prolific LaLiga Clasico in terms of the number of goals scored was played at the Santiago Bernabeu on 2 May 2009. In that match, FC Barcelona came out winners after netting six goals and conceding just two against the home side. It is the biggest drubbing doled out in recent years, with the ball nestling in the back of the net a total of eight times.

 

• The player who has scored the most goals in the Clasicos played in the 21 years of this century is Leo Messi. The Rosario-born legend simply cannot get enough of scoring in #ElClasico! Since 2000, he has managed to net 18 goals against Real Madrid in LaLiga Santander, producing two hat-tricks and a further three braces. With three goals, together with Luis Suarez he is the player who has scored the most goals in a match between Madrid and Barcelona. He will have to share that last record, at least for now!

 

• Always a fundamental part of his team's play and with a record of nine final passes, Lionel Messi is also the top assist-provider in #ElClasico over the course of this century. He tops the ranking by some margin, having produced three more assists than both Xavi Hernandez and Sergi Roberto on six. Another record for the Argentine, who not only scores goals, but also keeps busy helping his teammates find the back of the net. Messi spells double trouble!

• The player who has scored the most goals in the Clasicos played in the 21 years of this century is Leo Messi. The Rosario-born legend simply cannot get enough of scoring in #ElClasico! Since 2000, he has managed to net 18 goals against Real Madrid in LaLiga Santander, producing two hat-tricks and a further three braces. With three goals, together with Luis Suarez he is the player who has scored the most goals in a match between Madrid and Barcelona. He will have to share that last record, at least for now!

 

• Always a fundamental part of his team's play and with a record of nine final passes, Lionel Messi is also the top assist-provider in #ElClasico over the course of this century. He tops the ranking by some margin, having produced three more assists than both Xavi Hernandez and Sergi Roberto on six. Another record for the Argentine, who not only scores goals, but also keeps busy helping his teammates find the back of the net. Messi spells double trouble!

  

• At 17 years and 48 days, Ansu Fati became the youngest player to play in #ElClasico in LaLiga Santander in the 21st century. The Catalan club's striker scooped up the record in 2019, deposing his fellow Barça striker Bojan Krkic. And it doesn’t end there, because in the first Clasico of the season played at the Camp Nou, the player from Bissau became the youngest ever to score in this historic fixture. Two records in quick succession for the talented frontman!

  

• The keeper with the highest number of clean sheets is Victor Valdes. The former Barcelona shot-stopper avoided having to fish the ball out of the back of his own net in seven Clasicos played this century. He is followed by the Real Madrid goalkeeping legend and current LaLiga Santander Ambassador, Iker Casillas, with four clean sheets.

  

• The Real Madrid captain, Sergio Ramos, is the player who has played in the most Clasicos. He has taken part in 31 games against FC Barcelona in LaLiga Santander and leads the ranking, followed by Lionel Messi on 28 games. 

  

Just like Rexona, there’s no doubt in our minds that limits are there to be broken. These players have smashed all of the records and will continue to do so. The big question is: Will anyone manage to take their place and break their records in #ElClasico on Matchday 30? You have to live LaLiga Santander, so don’t miss it!