El Clásico (English: The Classic), originally called El derbi español (outside Spain), is the name currently given to football matches between rivals Real Madrid and FC Barcelona. The clásico term came about in the mid-2000s (decade), and is originally a name for any historical Argentine (or other South American) footballing rivalry.

The new name came about due to the growing presence of Spanish football in the Americas, with the advent of global marketing of the game, and in America, thanks to widespread growth of football-only satellite channel GolTV. The rivalry comes about as Madrid and Barcelona are the two largest cities in Spain, as well as the two most successful and influential football clubs in the country.