5 Reasons why the El Clasico is now more popular than ever
Spain's La Liga may not be acknowledged by media houses as the most powerful league in European Football, but the Spaniards definitely rule over the entire world, at-least twice a season, when the two poster clubs of Spain, FC Barcelona and Real Madrid CF lock horns for a promising clash, popularly known as El Clasico.
The Clasico is not a regular derby, yet it garners more attention than any other derby in world football. The match has been historically portrayed as a clash between the wealthy, conservative right-wing Real Madrid against the liberal, left-wing FC Barcelona.
El Clasico gained unmatched popularity in the Iberian Peninsula during General Franco's regime. The military dictator imposed the central 'government's' strength over the regions of Basque County and Catalunya. Athletic Bilbao and FC Barcelona were termed as the main victims of Franco's regime in footballing terms.
Political differences led to a rise in the popularity and significance of the Classic, but it was mainly restricted to Spain and surrounding regions. However, in recent times, the massive tie has received unparalleled media attention and fanfare globally. Known for its intensity and fast-flowing football, El Clasico is a true spectacle.
Although there is no proof to back the claim, most journalist and research sites state that around 400 million viewers tune in on an average to watch the two Spanish giant battle it out.
Let's have a look at few points which are potentially driving Clasico's popularity to the moon;
#1 La Liga's Marketing
There is no denying that we live in an era of marketing, and any firm which wins the battle of accurate and calculative marketing often tends to win the war of superiority. FIFA's failure to appropriately promote its events in second-and-third-world countries and a lack of participation from emerging economies led to European leagues seizing the opportunity to cast their shadow over these markets.
England's Premier League and Spain's First Division are the only two global brands which have succeeded in the art of marketing. However, the former's recent failure on the European stage and the dominance of the Spanish giants in the Champions League gives La Liga a slight advantage over the Prem. El Clasico acts as La Liga's poster material for marketing and the Spaniards have used the monumental clash's influence to their good.