Barcelona vs Real Madrid is La Liga’s showpiece fixture. Over the years, plenty of star players have made their mark for the Catalans or Los Blancos – or both. And for some, they thrived under the pressure of appearing in El Clásico without being asked twice.
Here, we have taken a look back through the history books and found the last 15 players to score on their league El Clásico debut.
Related
The top 10 El Clásico goalscorers this century
Who has scored the most often in El Clásico since 2000?
1
Jude Bellingham (2023/24)
28th October 2023: Barcelona 1-2 Real Madrid
Jude Bellingham announced himself as a Real Madrid hero when his brace defeated Barcelona in Catalonia thanks to a last-minute winner.
Bellingham was appearing in his first El Clásico clash following his move from Borussia Dortmund, with the English midfielder scoring goals for fun in his early Madrid career.
His double against Barca was not only his first Clasico goals, but also saw him reach 10 La Liga goals in 11 matches. He ended with 23 in all competitions, winning the league and the Champions League.
2
Ilkay Gundogan (2023/24)
28th October 2023: Barcelona 1-2 Real Madrid
In that same game in late 2023, Ilkay Gundogan briefly threatened to overshadow Bellingham’s big day when he netted six minutes into his first El Clásico matchup.
Gundogan had joined after leaving Manchester City in the preceding summer, having just led the Citizens to their historic treble.
While the move didn’t work out for the former Germany international, he did briefly have his name up in lights before Bellingham stole his thunder.
3
Ferran Torres (2021/22)
20th March 2022: Real Madrid 0-4 Barcelona
Having joined Barca from Manchester City in January 2022, the £55m signing was just two months into his career at Camp Nou.
At the time of the 2021/22 season’s first Clasico, Madrid were flying high at the top of the table, whilst Xavi’s Barcelona were languishing some way behind in third – meaning the hosts were certainly heading into the affair as the favourites.
But nobody could’ve predicted what ensued. The subsequent title winners were thumped 4-0 on their own patch, and Ferran Torres netted the third for his first strike in this fixture.
The fleet-footed wide player drifted in from the left and thundered home Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s audacious cut-back to score on his El Clásico debut.
4
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (2021/22)
20th March 2022: Real Madrid 0-4 Barcelona
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang netted a brace on his El Clásico debut in the aforementioned thumping Barca dealt Real in early 2022.
Like Torres, the Gabonese forward left the Premier League in favour of a move to the Catalan club and was signed during the winter transfer window that year.
Following a goal-littered four-year stint with Arsenal, Aubameyang opted to begin a new chapter in Spain and found the net 13 times in 24 outings for Barca.
5
Sergio Agüero (2021/22)
24th October 2021: Barcelona 1-2 Real Madrid
Following his departure from Manchester City in the summer of 2021, Sergio Agüero was assigned as Barca’s new centre-forward.
After an injury-stricken start to life back in Spain, the Argentina international was making only his second appearance of the season, coming on as a second-half substitute for his El Clásico debut.
With the hosts 2-0 down, Agüero pulled one back after stroking home Sergiño Dest’s cross in the seventh minute of stoppage time, though it ultimately came too late.
6
David Alaba (2021/22)
24th October 2021: Barcelona 1-2 Real Madrid
Prior to Aguero’s consolation, David Alaba opened the scoring quite brilliantly after powering home a well-struck left-footed effort into the far corner, leaving Marc-André ter Stegen helpless.
It was the Austrian’s first goal for Los Blancos following his arrival from Bayern Munich, which ended a trophy-laden 13-year spell with the Bundesliga giants.
Alaba and his side went on to win La Liga, the Champions League and the Spanish Super Cup that year, so it was not a bad first season in Madrid.
7
Óscar Mingueza (2020/21)
10th April 2021: Real Madrid 2-1 Barcelona
With the visitors 2-0 down 30 minutes from time, La Masia academy graduate Óscar Mingueza pulled one back for Barcelona with a neat finish to give his side a lifeline in this La Liga clash.
Barca midfielder Ilaix Moriba came inches away from completing a remarkable turnaround as his effort struck the woodwork in stoppage time.
Victory for the hosts moved them to the summit of the league table, whilst Ronald Koeman’s team dropped to third, a point behind their bitter rivals.
Mingueza went on to make 66 appearances for his boyhood club before departing for Celta Vigo in 2022.
8
Arturo Vidal (2018/19)
28th October 2018: Barcelona 5-1 Real Madrid
Barcelona completed a demolition job against Real, who were struggling under the stewardship of former Spain boss Julen Lopetegui in the opening stages of the 2018/19 season.
Lopetegui received the sack a day later as Los Blancos languished in 9th, seven points adrift of league leaders Barca.
Former Liverpool duo Philippe Coutinho and Luis Suárez netted to put their side 2-0 up heading into the break, before the Uruguayan forward added a third and fourth in the second half to complete his hat-trick.
And with three minutes of normal time remaining, El Clásico debutant Arturo Vidal headed home a fifth to make matters worse for the visitors.
9
Jesé (2013/14)
26th October 2013: Barcelona 2-1 Real Madrid
Barcelona summer arrival Neymar broke the deadlock in the 19th minute of the first Clasico of the 2013/14 season before Alexis Sánchez netted an exquisite chip 12 minutes from time to extend his side’s lead.
Real Madrid’s Jesé, then 20 years old, scored a stoppage-time consolation goal assisted by Cristiano Ronaldo. Regardless of the result, it will likely remain a joyous memory for the Spaniard, who was playing in his first clash against Barca.
Premier League fans may be familiar with the former Real winger’s brief time with Stoke City, though his sole season with the Potters wasn’t particularly inspiring, scoring just once in 13 outings.
10
Neymar (2013/14)
26th October 2013: Barcelona 2-1 Real Madrid
Unsurprisingly, Neymar, the player who went on to become the world’s most expensive footballer, scored in his first El Clásico.
Having signed following a mega-money transfer from Brazilian outfit Santos, expectations were high upon the forward’s arrival.
He was already a global superstar after lighting up Brazil’s top flight, with many of his skilful montages going viral, so fans waited in anticipation to see how he’d fare against one of the continent’s most feared sides.
In spite of the pressure, Neymar took centre stage and opened the scoring for the Catalan club, striking a low effort into the bottom-right corner.
Neymar went on to score 15 goals that year, laying on as many assists.
