El Clásico (English: The Classic), also known as El derbi Español or El Clàssic, is the name given to any football match between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona. It is contested twice a year in the Spanish La Liga competition, and more often the clubs meet in other competitions. Other than the UEFA Champions League Final, it is the most followed club football match in the world, watched by hundreds of millions of people.
The rivalry comes about as Madrid and Barcelona are the two largest cities in Spain, and the two clubs are the richest, most successful and influential football clubs in the country. Real Madrid has amassed 73 trophies and Barcelona 68, while Athletic Bilbao comes third with 32 trophies. They are sometimes identified with opposing political positions, with Real Madrid viewed as representing Spanish nationalism, and Barcelona viewed as representing Catalan nationalism.
