This Sunday's Clasico between Barcelona and Real Madrid will be Gareth Bales 201st appearance in the famous white shirt, after the Welshman celebrated his bicentennial against Viktoria Plzen in midweek.
Bale wants to show that he is a real leader in this Real Madrid team as they look to find their feet after Cristiano Ronaldo and this is a fixture that, more than any other, calls for big players to step up and be counted.
To have 200 appearances under his belt is impressive, but Bale has also missed 103 games and his lack of regularity is something that has haunted him during his stay in Madrid.
One game in three is lost, which is a figure that is too high for someone who had, and has, hopes of being named a Ballon d'Or winner.
In those 200 appearances he has delivered some breathtaking performances and boasts 92 goals and 62 assists, as well as playing key roles in three Champions League victories, namely Kiev, Milan and Lisbon.
Barcelona have been on the end of one of his most iconic moments in white as well, notably scoring in the 2014 Copa del Rey final at the Mestalla against the Catalans and he delivers when he is needed most.
Julen Lopetegui, therefore, will count on Bale on Sunday and if something is clear to the coach it is that Bale is one of the players most likely to decide a game in his side's favour.
As far as Barcelona are concerned, Real Madrid will be Bale and 10 others.
Prone to injury, Real Madrid are taking great care of Bale this week.
Of the 103 matches he missed, 77 of those were for injury, 22 saw him rested, two were due to the flu and two more through suspension.
