Players say they do not notice club rivalry carrying over when joining the national team. They describe a natural shift in mindset because they are defending their country regardless of where they play. At training camps, they get along well and even during club rival matches they show respect. They defend their teams with whatever they can offer, but once they reach the national team, the rivalry stops. Heated moments can still happen, but they are considered normal. Rival matches are expected to be intense, and a heated atmosphere is part of what makes a Clásico a Clásico.
"When we join the national team, the club rivalry practically disappears because we know we're here defending our country regardless of where we play. I don't think it's forced. It's not a case of, 'I have to get to the national team and I have to exclude that part.' No. It's something that happens naturally,"
"We arrive at the training camp and we get along well. Even in the Clásicos, we respect each other; each of us defends our team with whatever we have to offer, but when we get to the national team, the rivalry ceases to exist."
"We leave the clubs aside and focus on the national team. Sometimes we get heated, yes, but that's normal. If a Clásico didn't get heated, it wouldn't be a Clásico."
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