The debate over who is better than Barcelona has been raging for decades, with both sides claiming to be the superior team. Both Real Madrid and Barcelona are two of the most successful and popular football clubs in the world, and it is no surprise that the rivalry between them is intense.
Real Madrid leads in head-to-head results in competitive matches with 102 wins to Barcelona’s 100 with 52 draws. In exhibition matches, Barcelona leads with 24 victories to Madrid’s 6 with 12 draws. In total matches, Barcelona leads with 124 wins to Madrid’s 108 with 64 draws as of the match played on 29 July 2023.
Real Madrid has been the more successful team in recent years, winning four Champions League titles in the last five years. They have also won two La Liga titles in the last three years, while Barcelona has only won one. Madrid also has a better record in the Copa del Rey, having won the competition five times in the last seven years, while Barcelona has only won it twice.
Real Madrid also has a better record in the UEFA Super Cup, having won the competition three times in the last five years, while Barcelona has only won it once. Madrid also has a better record in the FIFA Club World Cup, having won the competition three times in the last five years, while Barcelona has only won it once.
When it comes to individual players, Real Madrid has had more success in recent years. Cristiano Ronaldo, the former Madrid star, won the Ballon d’Or four times in the last five years, while Lionel Messi, the Barcelona star, has only won it once. Madrid also has more players in the FIFA World XI, with six players in the last five years, while Barcelona has only had four.
When it comes to the financial side of things, Real Madrid is far ahead of Barcelona. Madrid is the richest club in the world, with a total revenue of €743 million in the 2017/18 season, while Barcelona had a total revenue of €690 million. Madrid also has the highest wage bill in the world, with €420 million in the 2017/18 season, while Barcelona had a wage bill of €365 million.
Overall, Real Madrid has been the more successful team in recent years, both on and off the pitch. They have won more trophies, have more individual players in the FIFA World XI, and have a far greater financial power than Barcelona. It is clear that Real Madrid is the better team when compared to Barcelona.