SERGIO RAMOS, LIONEL MESSI: FROM ARCH RIVALS TO TEAMMATES

The former captains of Barcelona and Real Madrid have both had their careers defined and shaped by their fierce rivalry but are now pulling in the same direction

There is no football fixture that is more iconic than Barcelona against Real Madrid, who’s fierce El Clasico rivalry captures a global audience.

The two clubs have enjoyed golden periods of success across the past decade with the captains of each side personifying the intensity of the fixture.

Lionel Messi and Sergio Ramos certainly didn't see eye to eye during their time on the El Clasico divide with bad blood spilling over on numerous occasions, from brutal tackles, verbal barrages and thrilling one on one battles, Ramos and Messi’s rivalry made sparks fly in countless Clasicos, but now the duo must quickly consign their differences to history and pull in the same direction.

For the best part of 15 years, Messi and Ramos enjoyed many incredible clashes during the most glamourous fixture in European football as the two Spanish giants battled it out for Laliga glory season after season. While there was respect between the Messi and Ramos on a playing level, there was definitely no love lost however and the pair didn't hide their ill-feelings towards each other.

Lionel Messi and Sergio Ramos have both enjoyed remarkable success both individually and as part of their teams since 2005, with each becoming symbols of Barca and Madrid respectively.

The two were engaged in plenty of heated moments throughout those years whereby personal and professional rivalry was played out time and time again.

But after years and years of fierce battles, the duo could now sensationally link up at Paris Saint Germain. PSG’s stunning transfer window has seen them land both captains on either side of El Clasico, seeing them united in the final years of their career. Their rivalry has finally came to an end earlier this summer when former Real Madrid captain and centre back Ramos completed a free transfer to PSG to bring his illustrious 16-year spell to a close. 

Little did anyone know that Messi would be following in his footsteps after Barcelona failed to agree a contract extension for the six-time Ballon d'Or winner plunging the Spaniards into further chaos amid their financial crisis.

As key characters on the opposite side of the Clasico divide, the pair warred with one another many times, but they are now united by a common goal.

Barcelona and Real Madrid’s biggest icons, Lionel Messi and Sergio Ramos, warred for well over a decade at the peak of Spanish football, but now have been brought together as team-mates at Paris Saint-Germain.

It would be some story something football fans would never have imagined when delving into the bitter history between the pair now that they are teammates and set to play on the same side of the battleground, it will be fascinating to see how they team up.