It's been two years, eight months and nine days since Lionel Messi's last goal against Real Madrid. Back in March 2014, "La Pulga" guided Barcelona to a 4-3 comeback win against Los Blancos, scoring a hat-trick against the team led by Carlo Ancelotti. Who would've thought those goals would be the last to this date for the Argentinean superstar against his bitter rivals?
Messi's drought facing Real Madrid has extended for five games: a Copa del Rey final (won by Real Madrid) and four league clashes (two wins for each team). In fact, he hasn't scored a single El Clásico goal since Luis Enrique joined the team back in the 2014-2015 season.
Curiously enough, Messi's top spot as El Clásico's all-time top scorer hasn't been threatened, as Cristiano Ronaldo is five goals shy from reaching his 21-goal tally.
Let's look back and remember what has happened in the world since Messi's last El Clásico goal.
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Real Madrid won two UEFA Champions League titles
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Germany defeated Argentina in the 2014 World Cup Final
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Leicester City shocked the world by winning the EPL title
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José Mourinho was sacked by Chelsea and eventually signed for Manchester United.
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Real Madrid sacked Carlo Ancelotti, appointed Rafa Benitez, sacked the latter as well, and named Zidane.
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Cristiano Ronaldo won his third Ballon D'Or, breaking Messi's streak as the winner.
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Portugal won the 2016 UEFA Euro.
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Argentina met Chile in the 2015 Copa America final, lost, played another entire Copa America tournament the following summer, met Chile in the final once more, lost again, pushed Messi into retirement before the latter returned to international football
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Sevilla won three straight UEFA Europa League titles, becoming the tournament's most winning side.
Messi's influence in his team's performances can't be overlooked, as these stats show.
Lionel Messi hasn't scored in a Clásico since his hattrick in March 2014. However, he's directly contributed to 34 goals in 32 Clásico games
— Barça Lens (@BarcaLens) December 1, 2016
Will "La Pulga" end his goal scoring hoodoo against Los Blancos this weekend? Don't miss this crucial tie!
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