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El Clasico won't feature Messi or Ronaldo for 1st time since 2007

David Ramos / Getty Images Sport / Getty

It was going to happen eventually. We just didn't expect it so soon.

Barcelona will host Real Madrid in the latest installment of El Clasico on Oct. 28, and for the first time in 11 years, neither Lionel Messi nor Cristiano Ronaldo will take part in the celebrated contest.

The Argentine fractured the radial bone in his right arm during Saturday's 4-2 victory over Sevilla, ruling him out for approximately three weeks.

Related: Messi out of El Clasico, will miss 3 weeks with arm fracture

Ronaldo, of course, is now plying his trade in Serie A following his summer move to Juventus.

Arguably the biggest domestic match in world football, bereft of the game's two brightest stars. It's something that hasn't been witnessed since Dec. 2007. Messi missed that edition of the Clasico with a hamstring injury while Ronaldo was still at Manchester United.

Los Blancos claimed all three points on that occasion, the lone goal in the match coming from Julio Baptista.

Yeah, it's been that long.

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