adminLONDON. — It’s always the hottest ticket in Spanish football and this season’s El Clasico threatens to blow all previous incarnations out of the water. October 27, Nou Camp. Be there or be one of the zillions watching all over the world as, arguably, the four best players on the planet prepare to lock horns – if Gareth Bale moves to Madrid.
In the Catalan corner, Barcelona’s irresistible Lionel Messi and the precocious talent of Neymar. In the white of Real Madrid, Cristiano Ronaldo and, probably, Bale.
South American flair and imagination versus European power houses, wrapped up in a fusion of skill, pace, goals and testosterone.
Such has been the hype in the last couple of weeks over Bale, Wayne Rooney and Luis Suarez, it seems like a lifetime since Brazil striker Neymar agreed his £50million move to Barca from Santos earlier in the summer.
How he will link up with Messi remains to be seen, but a combination of the Argentina maestro’s vision and Neymar’s finishing could be deadly.
Barcelona epitomise the Spanish small-is-beautiful fashion so 21-year-old Neymar, at 5ft 9in, will slot straight in alongside 5ft 7in Messi, world footballer of the year.
Both are slight figures, who look like one snort from CR7’s flared nostrils would blow them over.
However defenders all over Europe can confirm that appearances are deceptive after trying to mess with Leo and Neymar has hardly had it easy in South American football.
Portuguese Ronaldo, ripped and 6ft 1in, will bludgeon defenders from a wide right or central position, taking his gunfighter stance at any available free kick.
Wales star Bale, who it was once feared would be too small, too skinny, and too shy to make it at the top, is also 6ft 1in.
He has filled out massively in the last couple of seasons, and can occupy the left and central flanks in Ronaldo-like fashion. And Bale also fancies himself at powerhouse free-kicks.
The duel between Messi and Ronaldo has been a long and fascinating one. Leo’s little dinks versus Cristiano’s crackers.
But it has been Barca who have emerged the more successful as a team since Ronaldo moved from Manchester United to the Bernabeu. Can Bale change all that?
PS. Oh, and Gareth, Barcelona go to your place next March. — Mailonline.
Online Reporter