Messi, Neymar, Ronaldo and Bale Can Make Clasico Better Than Ever

History, politics and a long line of exceptional players who have represented both clubs will always ensure El Clasico is one of the truly compelling matches in world football. But with Barcelona’s acquisition of Neymar and Gareth Bale’s increasingly likely move to Real Madrid, the volume of this rivalry is about to be cranked up a notch.

After all, with the two best players in the world—namely Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo—already set to line up on opposite sides of the ball when the two iconic clubs clash on October 27, interest in this match was always going to be high.

Neymar’s addition to the mix, and also Bale’s should the transaction be completed, will only intensify the spectacle, producing what could end up being the most high-profile period in the contest’s history.

That is, of course, assuming Ronaldo remains at the club long enough to link up with the player who could well break his world-record transfer fee.

In a Wednesday interview with Talksport, former Madrid president Ramon Calderon suggested the Portugal captain could exit the Bernabeu if Bale were brought in, claiming contract talks had broken down between the club and its current talisman. He said Bale could well end up being the 28-year-old’s replacement.

But in remarks made to Marca ahead of Thursday’s international friendly against Los Angeles Galaxy, new manager Carlo Ancelotti poured cold water on Calderon’s statements. He insisted he was already planning the upcoming campaign around Ronaldo, that his best player “had to be comfortable on that pitch” and that a positional change wasn’t in the cards.

Assuming the Bale deal is completed in the coming days, the Italian’s comments would seem to indicate a central role for the Welshman, or even one on the right-hand side of the attack.

Ronaldo is right-footed and has typically been used on the left at Madrid, where he has enjoyed considerable success cutting into the middle. Bale, who has a stronger left foot, could be used similarly on the opposite flank, where his size, strength and pace would give the Meringues the same sort of weapon they already deploy on the right.

In any event, a Ronaldo-Bale combination would certainly add an intriguing element to the Madrid attack and one considerably different than the one presently taking shape at Barcelona. For while the Madrid tandem would showcase physical power, the Messi-Neymar partnership is likely to be based on technical ability.

We also know exactly how the two will be used by new manager Gerardo Martino.

Messi, it goes without saying, will continue to operate in the “false nine” position he has made his own over the past few years. And Neymar, who prefers to play from the left, will do exactly that alongside the four-time Ballon d’Or winner.

Having made an intentional effort to use his teammates better last season at Santos, the Brazilian could well make Messi an even more effective attacker (if that’s possible) and Barcelona a nearly unstoppable offensive force.

Then there is the mouth-watering prospect of a Neymar-Bale head-to-head—a matchup that would take shape if the outgoing Tottenham man did, in fact, line up on the right.

Even without Bale, the next set of Clasico matches could well deliver some of the coming season’s most intense, entertaining football. With him, the historic rivalry would be better than ever. And that’s saying something.

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