Ronaldo trailing in Messi's wake after mimicking celebration

FILE PHOTO - Soccer Football - FIFA Club World Cup Final - Real Madrid vs Gremio FBPA - Zayed Sports City Stadium, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - December 16, 2017 Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates winning the FIFA Club World Cup REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh

BARCELONA (Reuters) - The defining image of the previous 'Clasico' in the league last April was the sight of Lionel Messi defiantly showing the back of his shirt to the baying Real Madrid crowd after burying the winning goal to settle a thrilling contest 3-2 for Barcelona.

The goal, also the Argentine's 500th strike for his club, proved futile in Barca's pursuit of Madrid, who still won a first La Liga crown in five years, but has had a surprising knock on effect on the current campaign.