Lot more than pride at stake in

Barcelona have won their 25th La Liga title, with four games remaining, a Spanish topflight record in the 21st century. So the El Clasico against Real Madrid on Sunday should be a damp squib. But such is the bitter rivalry between these two clubs, further accentuated by the demand for Catalan Independence that it promises to be a grudge match. Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos has already stoked political passions by stating that his team will not give the customary guard of honour to Barcelona at the Nou Camp.

Besides the political subtext there are also football records at stake. If Barcelona remain unbeaten they will emulate Athletic Bilbao in 1928- 29 and Madrid CF ( now Real Madrid) in 1931- 32. Zinedine Zidane can salvage his reputation as coach if Real Madrid halt Barca’s winning streak of 41 La Liga matches, a record of consecutive unbeaten fixtures continuing from last season.

Even if Real Madrid win their remaining league matches they can only finish second. It is, however, not position but pride that Real Madrid and Barcelona will be playing for in the El Clasico on Sunday. Real Madrid have already reached their third successive Uefa Champions League final and if they can beat Barca their demanding fans and officials will forget their disastrous campaign in the La Liga and Copa del Rey this season.

Then there is personal pride. Overall in clashes between these two giants of world football Lionel Messi is the all time top- scorer with 25 goals. Cristiano Ronaldo on 17 will want to narrow that gap. The two clubs first met in the La Liga on February 17, 1929, with Real Madrid winning 2- 1. Overall in the La Liga Real