Sami Khedira, the former German player who shone at Real Madrid, shared fascinating details in an interview about the team's preparation during the historic clashes against Barcelona under Pep Guardiola. For Khedira, those clásicos were "the best games in history," not just because of the rivalry between the two clubs but also due to the tactical battle between José Mourinho and Guardiola, and the epic showdown between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

Madrid's Focus: Stopping Messi

The midfielder confessed that the main obsession for Real Madrid was figuring out how to stop Messi, who they saw as the biggest threat from that dominant Barcelona side. “The obsession, the big problem, was stopping Messi. But it wasn’t just Mou, it was everyone,” said Khedira. This collective focus on stopping the Argentine star marked a turning point in the team’s strategy, with players like Sergio Ramos and Cristiano Ronaldo playing crucial roles both on and off the pitch.

Warriors on the Field: Madrid's Mentality

Khedira highlighted the intensity of those matches, describing his teammates as true warriors: “Barcelona was more technical, but we were warriors with an incredible mentality and tactical discipline.” In those battles, Mourinho designed precise tactics, while figures like Cristiano Ronaldo fired up the team with emotional leadership. “Cristiano would grab you before the game and get you hyped: ‘Let’s go Sami, be aggressive! Mesut, show your magic.’ He was a natural motivator,” the German recalled.

With the perspective that time brings, Khedira also pointed out the importance of those matchups in the development of modern football. Though styles have changed today, the former player emphasized the impact that era had on the rivalry between the two Spanish giants and, especially, on the challenge of stopping the player who revolutionized world football: Lionel Messi.