Football enthusiasts all over the world know that El Clasico is one of the most eagerly anticipated football matches. It’s a derby match between two of the greatest clubs in the world: FC Barcelona and Real Madrid.
There have been numerous memorable moments and some incredible clashes between these two giants of Spanish football. Lionel Messi, one of the greatest footballers of all time, has been a regular feature in these games. In this article, we’re going to explore just how many times Messi has faced Madrid.
Messi’s Record Against Real Madrid
As of 2021, Lionel Messi has played against Real Madrid a total of 44 times. Out of those 44 games, he has emerged victorious on 18 occasions while drawing 10 and losing 16. This record may not be as impressive as some might expect from the Argentine superstar, but it’s important to remember that El Clasico is always a tough encounter.
Messi’s First Encounter with Real Madrid
Messi made his debut against Real Madrid on 23 December 2007. He was only 20 years old at the time and still establishing himself as one of Barcelona’s best players. The game ended in a 0-1 defeat for Barcelona, but Messi was still one of their standout performers.
Memorable Clashes Against Real Madrid
There have been some famous encounters between Messi and Real Madrid over the years. One such game was in April 2017 when he scored his 500th goal for Barcelona in injury time to secure a dramatic win over their rivals at Santiago Bernabeu. Another unforgettable game was in May 2018 when he scored a hat-trick against Real Madrid at Camp Nou to secure Barcelona’s La Liga title.
List of Messi’s Goals Against Real Madrid
- 2007/08 – 0 goals
- 2008/09 – 2 goals
- 2009/10 – 2 goals
- 2010/11 – 4 goals
- 2011/12 – 1 goal
- 2012/13 – 3 goals
- 2013/14 – 3 goals
- 2014/15 – 1 goal
- 2015/16 – 0 goals
- 2016/17 – 2 goals
- 2017/18 – 3 goals
- Total:21 goals
In Conclusion
Lionel Messi has faced Real Madrid a total of 44 times, winning on a total of 18, drawing on10, and losing on16. Although his record against Real Madrid may not be perfect, he has provided plenty of magical moments in this fixture.
Messi’s performances in El Clasico matches are always eagerly anticipated, and his battles with the likes of Sergio Ramos and Marcelo have become the stuff of legend. As long as he continues to grace the football pitch, we can expect many more exciting encounters between Lionel Messi and Real Madrid.