How Jude Bellingham can match Lionel Messi record in El Clasico

Jude Bellingham hunting down Lionel Messi in El Clasico
England international scored in first two La Liga games against Barcelona
World Cup winner Messi regularly bagged in fixtures with Real Madrid

Bellingham is eyeing a Messi record on Saturday night Bellingham is eyeing a Messi record on Saturday night / Visionhaus / Contributor – NurPhoto / Contributor

 

Some of the biggest legends in world football have made their names in El Clasico, arguably the largest fixture in the club game.

It’s Real Madrid who have emerged as Spain’s dominant force in recent years, winning multiple Champions League crowns while wrestling back the La Liga title from fierce rivals Barcelona last season.

However, the Blaugrana are firmly on the comeback trail. They currently sit at the top of the division, having enjoyed a wonderful start under new manager Hansi Flick.

The Catalan giants are fresh from enjoying some Champions League revenge against Bayern Munich in midweek, but their German boss is due to tackle the biggest test of his Barca career so far.

Madrid have a strong home record in El Clasico in recent years, winning four of the last five La Liga fixtures at the Bernabeu.

The odd one out was a 4-0 Barca win in 2022, but Saturday night’s visitors had enjoyed success during the late 2010s when Lionel Messi was still at the club.

He’s since departed to Inter Miami via Paris Saint-Germain, but his contribution and influence is still revered to this day.

It’s what makes the record Madrid star Jude Bellingham can match during the game all the more impressive.

 Bellingham has won all three of his games against Barcelona / David Ramos/GettyImages

Messi was a regular goalscorer in El Clasico. He often haunted Madrid and scored in three consecutive La Liga meetings between 2017 and 2018, a feat that hasn’t been repeated since.

It could be matched this weekend, though.

Bellingham made an extraordinary start to life with Madrid, effectively replacing the departed Karim Benzema with his goal threat early in 2023/24.

In his two Clasico appearances he scored twice, including a match-winning brace in his first ever game against Barca.

Should he net against them for the fourth time on Saturday night, he would match the legendary Argentinian’s record while also scoring for the first time this season.

Madrid’s goalscoring burden has shifted to summer signing Kylian Mbappe alongside Brazil superstar Vinicius Junior, but they aren’t the only threats who’ll be looking to make an impact in this fierce clash.

Robert Lewandowski has already scored 15 goals in all competitions this season, while Raphinha is bang in form after grabbing a midweek hat-trick.