El Clasico: Positional breakdown of Barcelona vs. Real Madrid

With so many stars on display at every position, one of the most intriguing aspects of El Clasico has always been the chance to watch the world's very best players at their respective positions. 

The current iteration of this historic rivalry between Barcelona and Real Madrid is no different. In fact, the star power on show may be at its peak.

But which team boasts the best players at each respective spot on the pitch. We take a look.

Goalkeeper: Claudio Bravo vs. Iker Casillas

Casillas' slow, depressing decline continues to play out before our eyes. The Spanish legend was considered to be the world's premier shot-stopper for much of his career, with his ability to dominate his penalty area as his only real area of weakness. This season, he's been beaten by a number of shots that you would expect most other 'keepers to handle rather easily. The Champions League loss to Schalke was a prime example.

Verdict: Claudio Bravo

Left-back: Jordi Alba vs. Marcelo

Probably the tightest battle of them all. Marcelo, long derided for his inadequate defensive abilities, is probably better than most give him credit for in that regard, and he's a vital part of Real Madrid's attacking scheme.

Verdict: Marcelo

Centre-back: Gerard Pique vs. Pepe 

Hate him all you want, but Pepe has been a rock at the back for Real Madrid since Carlo Ancelotti's arrival. He's even added an element of composure to his game, picking up only two yellow cards in all competitions this season. We're just as surprised as you. Pique, meanwhile, has long been living off a reputation built during his early days at the club.

Verdict: Pepe

Centre-back: Jeremy Mathieu vs. Sergio Ramos

Ramos has been known to make the occasional blunder, storming wildly out of position or diving in for a rash tackle in a dangerous area. But his technical ability, pace and commandeering presence in the air make him a better player than his steady, if unspectacular, counterpart.

Verdict: Sergio Ramos

Right-back: Dani Alves vs. Dani Carvajal

Another tight battle, this one between two fullbacks at the opposite ends of their careers. Dani Alves is not the all-conquering attacking force that he once was, but he's made up for that with better defensive work this season, and is still good enough going forward that he shades this contest over Carvajal.

Verdict: Dani Alves

Central midfield: Javier Mascherano vs. Toni Kroos

If Sergio Busquets was fit and in this place, he would likely emerge the victor. As it is, Kroos' superior skill as a deep-lying playmaker, along with his continued improvement as the last line in front of the defense, makes him the choice here. Mascherano is an absolute warrior, but the German is more well-rounded as a midfielder.

Verdict: Toni Kroos

Central midfield: Ivan Rakitic vs. Luka Modric

It's no coincidence that Real Madrid's season started to come unhinged - in relative terms - after an extended spell without the Croatian midfielder on the pitch. The two countrymen are similar in that they do everything well from their midfield positions, and while it's tough to judge Modric after he's missed so much time through injury, if fully fit he is a class above Rakitic.

Verdict: Luka Modric

Central midfield: Andres Iniesta vs. Isco

As someone who worships at the altar of Iniesta it pains me to say this, but as of 2015, Barcelona's resident magician has been surpassed by his younger counterpart. Measured per 90 minutes this season, Isco tops Iniesta in key passes, chances created, shots, interceptions and tackles won. He's also added three goals and eight assists, while Iniesta has, incredibly, been shut out in each category in La Liga this year. The gulf isn't massive between the two by any means, but it's there - and growing.

Verdict: Isco

Left-forward: Neymar vs. Cristiano Ronaldo

Against almost anyone else in the world, Neymar would emerge victorious. But Ronaldo, as you well know, is not anyone else. Despite his struggles in 2015 - labelled as such only because of the asinine numbers he put up in the first half of the season - the Portuguese superstar is the obvious choice.

Verdict: Cristiano Ronaldo

Centre-forward: Luis Suarez vs. Karim Benzema

Benzema continues to be the Rodney Dangerfield of strikers despite his impressive production (13 goals, 8 assists in La Liga). That said, Suarez is arguably the best centre-forward on the planet right now. Playing roughly 600 minutes less than the Frenchman due to his suspension, Suarez has already accrued more assists (9) and has equalled his key pass total (29). Benzema is very good, but Suarez makes Barcelona notably better - and he would do the same with Real Madrid.

Verdict: Luis Suarez

Right-forward: Lionel Messi vs. Gareth Bale

There's only ever going to be one winner here, and it's not the most expensive player in the world. Gareth Bale is great. Lionel Messi is the greatest. End.

Verdict: Lionel Messi

Combined Starting XI