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Sergio Ramos' forearm smash on Lionel Messi in El Clasico had fans raging - but there was a lot of love for the Barcelona genius squaring up to his Real Madrid rival.

Ramos targeted Messi during the closing moments of the first half of Saturday's El Clasico, which Barcelona won 1-0 thanks to Ivan Rakitic's goal.

Messi attempted to make a tackle on Ramos, but as the Real skipper hurdled the challenge he thwacked the Argentine in the mouth with his arm.

The Barcelona star was furious and squared up to Ramos. Messi, Luis Suarez and Gerard Pique then all crowded the ref - with Messi attempting to show the blood that he felt coming out a cut.

(Image: Getty Images)

Messi and his team-mates had the last laugh, with the win taking them 12 points clear of third-placed Real, and 10 clear of nearest challengers Atletico Madrid.

And fans reckoned Ramos was riled by Messi's vastly superior El Clasico record - the Argentine is the top scorer in El Clasico history with a staggering 26 strikes in 41 games, while his 14 assists in the famous fixture is also a record. He has won 19 El Clasicos and lost 12.

(Image: AFP/Getty Images)

Ramos, meanwhile, now has a record 20 losses in El Clasico, and holds the record for the most cards in the fixture.

Messi's reaction also won the popular vote, with one fan saying it was good to see angry Messi back. Some said the normally placid Barcelona player's reaction spoke volumes, while others Ramos should have been sent off.

Here's what some of them said:

Record breakers

Messi: 19 Clasico wins, 2 away from the all-time record.



Ramos: 20 Clasico losses, the all-time record, with a margin! pic.twitter.com/YWa5Pfhc8a — adil (@Barca19stats) March 2, 2019

Messi and Ramos have a very tight H2H in El Clasico



Messi most goals ever

Most assists ever

Most hattricks ever



Ramos most cards ever

And most games lost (20) in El Clasico ever pic.twitter.com/xO0xDkO2Qj — FootballFunnys (@FootballFunnnys) March 2, 2019

Messi's reaction says it all

That was deliberate from Ramos on Messi! Very rarely do you see Messi react like that to a challenge on him, that should tell you all you need to know about that incident #ElClasico #RMAFCB — Treq (@IFalse_9) March 2, 2019

Before and after

El Clasico record before Messi:

• Barcelona 66 - 87 Madrid



El Clasico record during/after Messi:

• Barcelona 96 - 95 Madrid



Lionel Andres Messi is the name. pic.twitter.com/MC2JqmX3Rv — Barça Universal (@BarcaUniversal) March 2, 2019

Focus on defending

I find it pretty weird how Sergio Ramos often gets away with intentional fouls like the one on Mohamed Salah in the Champions League final and tonight against Messi, fantastic defender apart from that but he should go back to focusing on defending only. — Mootaz Chehade (@MHChehade) March 2, 2019

Who would win a fight?

Messi wouldn’t last 3mins in the Ring with Ramos #ElClasico pic.twitter.com/oVyhIkCqW0 — John Wick (@John_E_Sales) March 2, 2019

We've missed Angry Messi

Wow, I don’t know what to say anymore. Just wow. Ramos blatantly elbows Messi and he escapes an easy red card (not even a yellow). Angry Messi is the scariest Messi, here’s hoping for a goal. pic.twitter.com/U1mUVb91MW — Positiespel (@Cruijffista14) March 2, 2019