Indeed, there is also a point, that after the Messi and Ronaldo era ended in the El Clasico match, at least that factor made the El Clasico match no longer have great appeal. But yes, considering Real Madrid and Barcelona at this moment at least have strengths that are not much different. Then of course, with that factor at least the El Clasico match this season will be more interesting than last season and or in the previous few seasons. But considering the number of conceded so far experienced by Barcelona, at least Barcelona defense has decreased at this moment. Because after all, the fact is that last season Barcelona was the team that conceded the least number of conceded until finally Barcelona won the La Liga trophy last season.
I think you guys are getting it all wrong the Elclasico has always been big even before Cristiano Ronaldo and Leonel Messi both reached their prime. The Elclasico has always been an important fixture in the Spanish La liga season. This is bigger than the player, it's a rivalry that would always be big any day any time. Yes Ronaldo and Messi gave it more appeal from neutral fans (non real Madrid or Barcelona fan) but anyone who is a core fan of both team or a strong follower of football would always anticipate this fixture.
Real Madrid great stars before Ronaldo has played El Classico and it has been a competition between these two clubs since. But what made Ronaldo and Messi period more interesting is that the two are both superstars at the same time and they are rivals to one another in clubs that are also rivals too. So it made it more interesting, and another thing is that, these two players have their own separate fans that prefer one to the other. These two players were also adding a lot of effort to make sure that their club is the best, and competition between themselves.