El Clasico Combined XI: Jude Bellingham and Robert Lewandowski lead the way - but does Lamine Yamal deserve a place already?

There might be a real contest here had Courtois not torn his ACL before the 2023-24 season started. But Madrid replaced him with Kepa Arrizabalaga, who simply isn't of the same quality as Germany's No.1.

Ter Stegen has actually struggled somewhat early in the campaign, making a few uncharacteristic mistakes. That has led to him keeping just five clean sheets and conceding half as many goals as he did over the course of the entire 2022-23 campaign. Still, Ter Stegen has shown in moments that he is still undoubtedly one of the best in the world.

Cancelo has offered an upgrade at a position where Barca didn't really seem to need one. Jules Kounde filled the right-back role admirably last year, but always made it clear that he felt more comfortable in the middle.

That said, Man City loanee Cancelo has offered the kind of creative spark from deep that the Blaugrana were lacking last year, causing problems with his incisive passing and dribbling ability. Add his late winner against Celta Vigo, and the Portuguese already looks like one of the signings of the summer.

Dani Carvajal, admittedly, deserves a shout here, too. The Madrid full-back looks reborn this campaign — more like a younger version of himself. Still, Cancelo has simply been more important.

Araujo hasn't been at his best to start the season. Whether it be injuries or an odd slip up, the centre-back hasn't captured his scintillating 2022-23 form. But he has still been better than any of the other centre-backs that Barca have to offer. Dominant in the air, excellent one-on-one, and composed on the ball, Araujo is a perfect modern central defender — and will only improve.

A fit Militao would certainly push him for selection here, but with the Madrid man out for the year after sustaining a serious knee injury, there is only one option to lead this backline.

Rudiger started the season as Madrid's third-choice centre-back. It was assumed that both David Alaba and Militao would keep him out of the side, making the former Chelsea man a squad player as Madrid looked to reclaim the Liga title.

Instead, he has become a crucial part of a makeshift defence. With Militao done for the year and Alaba sidelined with a muscle problem, Rudiger has stepped up immensely. His one-on-one chops and ball-carrying ability are near unrivalled in the Spanish top-flight, while he has also improved as a passer.

Andreas Christensen has certainly enjoyed some good moments for the Blaugrana, while Kounde has impressed in spells. But Rudiger is a top-tier, reliable presence at the back that any team would love to have.

Balde was arguably the best young player in Spain last season, steadily easing Jordi Alba out of the Barca team and establishing himself as a top-quality full-back for a La Liga-winning side.

And he has continued some of that form this season. The 20-year-old has been handed even more attacking freedom for Xavi's evolving side, playing as a de-facto winger and forming an excellent understanding with Joao Felix.

Some of his defensive chops can certainly be questioned, but Balde is quick enough to recover if he makes any mistakes. At such a young age, he is sure to improve.

Six months ago, Tchouameni was a Madrid outcast, and linked with a move away from Santiago Bernabeu. Now, he is a crucial player for the team atop La Liga.

The potential was always there with Tchouameni, but the midfielder fell out of favour with Ancelotti at the start of the calendar year, and saw his playing time limited in the final months of last campaign. This season, though, he has looked worthy of the €100 million (£85m/$107m) Madrid spent on him in the summer of 2022.

An excellent defensive No.6 with solid passing ability and an eye for goal, Tchouameni is steadily becoming the perfect modern pivot. There is certainly room to improve, as the France international could be quicker in moving the ball, and he does still fail to track the occasional runner. But his strengths far outnumber his weaknesses.

In honesty, there isn't much competition for this role in our Clasico XI since Sergio Busquets' departure from Barc, as his replacement, Oriol Romeu, simply isn't of the same standard.

Joan Laporta claimed last weekend that Barca had turned down a €100m bid for Frenkie de Jong. Whether the mercurial president is to be believed or not, he might not be too far off in his valuation of the player. And given his immense quality, De Jong would appear to be the most obvious pick in this position based on this season's form.

It is looking likely, however, that the Netherlands international is going to lose his race to be fit for El Clasico, leaving his team-mate Gavi as the most obvious deputy. The Spain international divides opinion, such is his mix of pure quality and scrappiness. However, this year, his versatility has been vital for the Blaugrana. Sometimes a No.6, others a No.10, Gavi has played all over the midfield to help Barca remain undefeated.

Going forward, he has been much improved, as he has been directly involved in three goals already despite regularly playing deeper to cover for De Jong's absence, while also upping his chance creation and shot-creating action numbers.

He's only 19, but Gavi isn't far away from becoming a complete midfielder.

Could it ever be anyone else? Bellingham has made his €103m (£88m/$110m) pricetag look like an absolute bargain. Here is a box-to-box midfielder who is being deployed as a No.10/false 9 hybrid and is scoring at the rate of Cristiano Ronaldo, all while leading Madrid to the top of La Liga after two months.

The Englishman has been more than a replacement for the departed Karim Benzema. Rather, he has contributed goals at a better rate, and also improved Madrid's midfield corps, too. It speaks volumes that former Ballon d'Or winner Luka Modric can no longer get in the side — such has been Bellingham's quality.

There isn't a better player for Barcelona. There might not be a better one in world football, either.

A surprisingly weak position between the two sides, as neither team has been able to nail down a starter on the right. Rodrygo has been favoured for Madrid, but looks uncomfortable in a two-striker setup — a system he openly criticised his manager for using.

Barca, meanwhile, have rotated heavily. Raphinha appeared to be the first choice, but a suspension and injuries have limited his game time. Teenager Yamal, however, has been a more-than-capable deputy, making good on the promise that earned him some admittedly unhealthy Lionel Messi comparisons as early as April.

Yamal has scored twice and assisted once for club and country so far this season, seeing his star rise rapidly. Though more Bukayo Saka than Messi, the 16-year-old winger may well be the future of Barca's attack.

There is a case to be made for Federico Valverde here. The Uruguayan has played on the right for Madrid in the past, and has been crucial for Los Blancos in recent weeks. But he's at his best in a central role — a spot where others are simply better.

With all due respect to Madrid's Joselu, Lewandowski is still among the best strikers in Europe. He may not be as mobile these days, but the Polish forward is the reigning Pichichi holder, and is well on track to defend his crown this year.

Lewandowski has scored five and added three assists in eight La Liga appearances, and although absent in recent weeks due to an ankle injury, figures to be back among the goals once he returns to full fitness.

He may not have much longer at the top — he's 35 with just two years left on his contract. But he has shown no signs of slowing down, and any team would love to have him.

The best wide forward in the world not-named Kylian Mbappe, Vinicus hasn't necessarily had the best start to the season. He suffered a hamstring injury in Madrid's second game, and has not looked at his best since returning after five weeks out. Often, the Brazilian can be found trying to rush things, and doing too much — all while adjusting to a slightly narrower position.

Still, Vini is one of the best players in the world for a reason, and it speaks volumes that a 'bad start' still has him averaging a goal or assist every other game.

Barca fans might feel lightly aggrieved here, especially given Joao Felix's contributions early on. But Vinicius is simply on another level.