Bale and Ronaldo v Neymar and Messi - the four best players on the planet set to collide in the biggest club game of all

It's always the hottest ticket in Spanish football and this season’s El Clasico threatens to blow all previous incarnations out of the water.
October 27, Nou Camp. Be there or be one of the zillions watching all over the world as, arguably, the four best players on the planet prepare to lock horns - if Gareth Bale moves to Madrid.
In the Catalan corner, Barcelona’s irresistible Lionel Messi and the precocious talent of Neymar. In the white of Real Madrid, Cristiano Ronaldo and, probably, Bale.

Mouthwatering:  Gareth Bale (above left, mocked up in a Real Madrid kit) and Cristiano Ronaldo could clash with Lionel Messi and Neymar

 

South American flair and imagination versus European power houses, wrapped up in a fusion of skill, pace, goals and testosterone.Such has been the hype in the last couple of weeks over Bale, Wayne Rooney and Luis Suarez, it seems like a lifetime since Brazil striker Neymar agreed his £50million move to Barca from Santos earlier in the summer.
How he will link up with Messi remains to be seen, but a combination of the Argentina maestro’s vision and Neymar’s finishing could be deadly.
Possible line-ups at the Nou Camp on October 27

Barcelona (4-3-3)

Valdes £10m (estimated value)
Alves £5m
Pique £30m
Mascherano £5m
Alba £20m
Xavi £5m
Busquets £40m
Sanchez £25m
Messi £150m
Neymar £50m
Iniesta £50m
Total: £390m

Real Madrid 4-2-3-1

Casillas £10m
Carvajal £5m
Varane £30m
Ramos £30m
Marcelo £15m
Khedira £20m
Alonso £10m
Isco £25m
Ozil £35m
Bale £85m
Ronaldo £100m.
Total: £365m

Dream duo: Neymar (left) and Lionel Messi will spearhead Barcelona's attack in the new season

Training days: Barcelona will defend their La Liga title and hope to regain the Champions League

Tough gig: Gerardo Martino was appointed as Barcelona's new manager last week

Barcelona epitomise the Spanish small-is-beautiful fashion so 21-year-old Neymar, at 5ft 9in, will slot straight in alongside 5ft 7in Messi, world footballer of the year.
Both are slight figures, who look like one snort from CR7’s flared nostrils would blow them over.
However defenders all over Europe can confirm that appearances are deceptive after trying to mess with Leo and Neymar has hardly had it easy in South American football.

The fabulous foursome

Lionel Messi, 26.
Club: Barcelona
Nationality: Argentine
Height: 5ft 7ins
Neymar, 21
Club: Barcelona
Nationality: Brazilian
Height: 5ft 9ins
Cristiano Ronaldo, 28
Club: Real Madrid
Nationality: Portuguese
Height: 6ft 1in
Gareth Bale, 24
Club: Real Madrid?
Nationality: Welsh
Height: 6ft 1in

Goal threat

Messi

215 League goals in 246 appearances
Total for Barca: 313 goals in 379 appearances
Ronaldo
146 League goals in 135 apps
Total for Real: 201 goals in 199 apps
Bale
42 League goals in 146 apps
Total for Spurs: 55 in 203 apps
Neymar
54 League goals in 103 apps
Total for Santos: 136 goals in 225 apps 

Star man: Cristiano Ronaldo will be expected to lead from the front for Real Madrid again this season

Ready to move: Bale looks set to make a stunning £85million to Real Madrid from Tottenham this summer

Portuguese Ronaldo, ripped and 6ft 1in, will bludgeon defenders from a wide right or central position, taking his gunfighter stance at any available free kick.

Wales star Bale, who it was once feared would be too small, too skinny, and too shy to make it at the top, is also 6ft 1in.

He has filled out massively in the last couple of seasons, and can occupy the left and central flanks in Ronaldo-like fashion.  And Bale also fancies himself at powerhouse free kicks.

The duel between Messi and Ronaldo has been a long and fascinating one. Leo’s little dinks versus Cristiano’s crackers.

But it has been Barca who have emerged the more successful as a team since Ronaldo moved from Manchester United to the Bernabeu. Can Bale change all that?

PS. Oh, and Gareth, Barcelona go to your place next March.

Bragging rights: Sergio Ramos scored the winning goal in the final El Clasico clash last season