Edwin Kiplagat

updated at October 27, 2023 at 10:47 AM

  • On Saturday, Real Madrid and Barcelona will take to the field to play the first El Clasico of the season
  • El Clasico has given fans unforgettable memories over the years
  • One such memory is Angel Di Maria destroying Carles Puyol in 2013

El Clasico has served up some iconic goals and moments over the years. Real Madrid and Barcelona have clashed in many fierce battles, leaving fans entertained.

One such moment was when Real Madrid's Angel Di Maria sat Barcelona and Spain's legendary midfielder Carles Puyol down with a nasty move in 2013, which resulted in a Cristiano Ronaldo goal.

El Clasico, Jude Bellingham, Carles Puyol, Angel Di Maria, Real Madrid, Barcelona
Angel Di Maria is one of the most underrated wingers. Photos by Edem (X) and Lluis Gene.
Source: Getty Images

The setting was a packed Camp Nou on February 26, 2013. The sides had drawn 1-1 at the Santiago Bernabeu in the Copa del Rey semi-final first leg, and Jose Mourinho's men were looking to book their place in the final.

And they came prepared. Ronaldo dispatched a penalty in the 12th minute to give Madrid an important lead.

They held on to that lead until around the hour mark before Di Maria worked his magic to help Madrid double their lead.

Chasing a clearance from Sami Khedira, Di Maria was too quick for Puyol. After getting the ball, he went in and out, leaving the defender on the floor. It was an embarrassing moment for Puyol, who at the time was considered one of the best defenders in the world.

The Argentine shot at goal, but Barcelona's Manuel Pinto parried the ball into the path of Ronaldo, who made no mistake, per Bleacher Report.

Raphael Varane scored Madrid's third ten minutes later before Jordi Alba scored a consolation goal for Barcelona late in the game. It was a tactical masterclass from Mourinho, but they lost to Atletico Madrid in the final.

Di Maria at Real Madrid

Di Maria joined Real Madrid in 2010 from Benfica and spent four seasons at the club, winning the Champions League and La Liga before moving to Manchester United in 2014.

In Madrid, he made 190 appearances and scored 36 goals and provided 85 assists.

Overall, he has scored 168 goals and provided 255 assists in 726 appearances in his club career, per Transfermarkt.

He won the World Cup in December 2022 with Argentina.

Di Maria receives a hero's welcome

Sports Brief earlier reported on Di Maria getting a hero's welcome at Benfica as he returned after 13 years.

The 2022 World Cup winner played for the Portuguese giants between 2007 and 2010 before moving to Real Madrid, where he became one of the best wingers in the sport.

Hundreds of fans welcomed the 35-year-old, who spent last season with Italian side Juventus.