El Clásico is the fiercely contested football rivalry between Spanish giants Barcelona and Real Madrid, encompassing every match they play across La Liga, the Champions League, and other cups, and drawing a global audience of hundreds of millions. The fixture is deeply politicized, with Barcelona historically symbolizing Catalan separatism—embodied by their motto Més que un club ("More than a club")—against Madrid's association with Spanish unionism, a tension rooted in the Franco era, which included the 1936 execution of Barcelona's president, Josep Sunyol. Both clubs are among the wealthiest and most successful in the world, with Forbes ranking them first and third in value in 2024, and they are two of only three La Liga teams never to have been relegated. As of May 2026, the head-to-head record in official competitive matches is perfectly balanced, with 106 wins apiece and 52 draws. The rivalry is also marked by historical controversies, such as Real Madrid's infamous 11–1 Copa del Generalísimo victory and the disputed transfer of Alfredo Di Stéfano, fueling intense and often mocking goal celebrations that make the fixture one of sport's most passionate spectacles.