User:Spencer.woods/irp

Overview
The intense rivalry between the football teams Real Madrid and FC Barcelona is one of the most well known worldwide. Known as El Clásico, the teams have met over 250 times to date. The first encounter between the two clubs occurred on the 13th of May, 1902, and ended with a 3-1 victory to Barcelona.

El Clásico is an unusual rivalry, as typically we see rivalries between two local clubs, such as Manchester United and Manchester City, who play just miles apart, but in this case the teams play over 600 kilometers apart. Instead, their rivalry is based more so on the political history of Spain.

Both teams have played host to some of the best players worldwide in recent years, and historically. Of course, the two standout players of today are Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, but some fantastic players are overshadowed by these greats, including Carvajal and Casemiro. These clubs also attract some of the best non-Hispanic players, such as those from mainland Europe, like Ivan Rakitic, a Croatian national who now plays for Barcelona.

Both clubs tend to take young players under their wings, mainly through their academy teams. They scout all over the world, even in countries such as South Africa, but mainly from local clubs based in Spain. One story of Real Madrid scouting a player is that of Martin Odegaard.

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The past six years of La Liga
- 2016/17: Real Madrid 1st, Barcelona 2nd; 3 points apart - 2015/16: Barcelona 1st, Real Madrid 2nd; 1 points apart - 2014/15: Barcelona 1st, Real Madrid 2nd; 2 points apart - 2013/14: Barcelona 2nd, Real Madrid 3rd; 0 points apart (Atletico Madrid 1st, 3 points ahead) - 2012/13: Barcelona 1st, Real Madrid 2nd; 15 points apart - 2011/12: Real Madrid 1st, Barcelona 2nd; 9 points apart