A planetary classic

The planetary dimension of the Classic is not only manifested in the impact that the game has in all corners of the world, but also on the pitch. Up to 43 nationalities have been represented by the players who have defended the Barcelona or Real Madrid shirt in these matches of maximum rivalry. Zidane and Koeman have brought together players from 15 countries in their calls for this first Clásico of the season. In addition to the Spanish, they are France (Lenglet, Griezmann, Dembelé, Varane, Mendy and Benzema), Brazil (Neto, Militao, Marcelo, Casemiro, Vinicius and Rodrygo), Uruguay (Araújo and Valverde), Belgium (Courtois), Ukraine (Lunin), Germany (Kroos), Croatia (Modric), Serbia (Jovic), United States (Dest), Bosnia Herzegovina (Pjanic), Denmark (Braithwaite), Argentina (Messi), Portugal (Trincao), Netherlands (De Jong). In addition, Junior, who has Spanish nationality, is a native of Dominican Republic.

The most historically represented country is Spain, which has had 624 Classic footballers. They are followed on the podium by Brazil, with 44, and Argentina, with 36. France and the Netherlands are tied with 27. Seven African countries have contributed players to the Classic, with Cameroon being the most represented, with 3 (Geremi, Etoo and Song). Of the 10 countries in South America whose federations are affiliated with CONMEBOL, the other great soccer pole in the world, Bolivia and Ecuador are the only ones missing to be present in the Classic.

The list of countries represented in this sort of Classic United Nations will be expanded in this and future events. Sergiño Dest will make the United States the 44th nation represented and Ukraine and Norway aspire to become the 45th soon with Lunin and Odegaard. No Asian has played the Classic yet. The Japanese Kubo may be the first and give a new exponential push to the repercussion of the Clásico in Spanish football.