Juliano Belletti believes Barcelona and Real Madrid can make memories to last for many years in Sunday s Clasico as he recalled being on the team that swept aside the famous Galacticos .
Brazilian full-back Belletti spent three seasons at Camp Nou between 2004 and 2007, winning two LaLiga titles and scoring the winner in the 2006 Champions League final against Arsenal.
He featured in four games against Los Blancos for the Blaugrana, winning one, losing one and drawing two.
The 45-year-old, who is now assistant manager at Brazilian club Cruzeiro, reflected on the stature of the historic fixture and cast his mind back to his first Clasico after arriving in Catalonia.
Most of the best players in the world are [at Barcelona and Real Madrid], Belletti told Stats Perform. So, just being involved is already special. Barca and [Real] Madrid have fans all over the world. We are aware of it as football players. And when we are not involved in El Clasico, whether we are from the football world or not, we are watching this game.
There is top quality football, there is big rivalry. There is so much history and it is something global. It is not only about LaLiga. That s why I believe the impact of the result of this game, winning or losing, is incredible. That s all what makes this Clasico special.
My first Barca v Madrid was at Camp Nou in 2004. We faced Los Galacticos of Real Madrid. It was very special for me to be there at that time.
Besides, we won that game 3-0. It was even more special as my first time playing against Los Galacticos and winning the game. And even nowadays my family remembers that day.
David Beckham, Roberto Carlos, Luis Figo, Zinedine Zidane and Brazilian striker Ronaldo were all in the Madrid team in that November 2004 game, with Samuel Eto o, Giovanni van Bronckhorst and Ronaldinho scoring for Barcelona.
Belletti says those that feature in this weekend s game will already feel, with some justification, that they have made it in the game.
This sport is very competitive, Belletti said. Reaching Barca or Real [Madrid] is a very high level, so demanding, a very hard-working culture. So, being there, you think: Oh my god, I did well. Now it is time to enjoy it.’
Barcelona have been experiencing a decline of late, with the Catalan giants failing to win the league in their last two seasons and not claiming a Champions League title since 2015.
Furthermore, financial difficulties prevented the club from offering Lionel Messi a new contract, with the six-time Ballon d Or winner joining Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer, and Barca started this year poorly in his absence.
says the back-to-back wins are a confidence booster heading into :
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona)
They have won their last two games, however, beating Valencia 3-1 in LaLiga and Dynamo Kiev 1-0 in the Champions League as under-pressure head coach Ronald Koeman looks to generate momentum ahead of the first Clasico of the campaign, possibly a pivotal match in his reign.
