5 Legends Who Have Played For Both Barcelona & Real Madrid

Reigning Spanish champions Barcelona will host Actual Madrid for the primary El Clasico of the season on Saturday afternoon (October 28). At the moment, only a solitary level separates league leaders Madrid from third-placed Barca, that means a win for the hosts might take them to the highest of the pile. A victory for Los Blancos, however, would put daylight between them and their bitterest rivals.

A part of one of many fiercest rivalries in Europe, there isn’t any love misplaced between Barca and Madrid, with each groups all the time doing their finest to one-up the opposite. So, typically, when a participant commits to at least one camp they chorus from becoming a member of the opposite, as nobody desires to be on the receiving finish of the backlash from followers.

There have been a number of exceptions, in fact, and under, we’ll take a better take a look at them. Now, with out additional ado, let’s try the highest 5 gamers who’ve performed for each Barcelona and Actual Madrid:

#5 Michael Laudrup

Part of Johan Cruyff’s “Dream Workforce”, Michael Laudrup joined Barcelona from Juventus in July 1989. Over the subsequent 5 years, Laudrup performed his finest recreation below Cruyff, scoring 54 occasions and offering 17 assists in 226 matches. The previous attacking midfielder was arguably Barca’s most interesting participant as they received 4 La Liga titles in that interval.

Laudrup moved to Actual Madrid from Barcelona in 1994, however was not as profitable within the Spanish capital. He performed 76 video games earlier than leaving in 1996, scoring 15 occasions and profitable only one La Liga title with the Santiago Bernabeu outfit.

#4 Samuel Eto’o

Samuel Eto’o began his skilled journey at Actual Madrid, enjoying ceaselessly for the reserve groups. Nevertheless, he was not deemed ok to grow to be a daily within the first staff. Because of this, he left Madrid completely for RCD Mallorca in 2000, having performed simply seven video games for the senior staff.

Impressed together with his stint at Mallorca, Barcelona lapped him up in the summertime of 2004, giving Eto’o the chance to stretch his wings. Over the subsequent 5 seasons, the previous Cameroon worldwide performed 199 video games for Barca, scoring 130 objectives and offering 40 assists. Eto’o’s exploits propelled Barcelona to 3 La Liga titles and two UEFA Champions League trophies, amongst others.

#3 Luis Enrique

Earlier than he turned one of many largest names in Barcelona’s historical past, Luis Enrique spent an excellent half a decade at Actual Madrid. Enrique, who performed as a right-midfielder, joined Los Blancos from Sporting Gijon in July 1991. Between 1991 and 1996, he performed 213 video games in all competitions, scoring 18 occasions and offering three assists. He received one La Liga title, one Copa del Rey, and one Supercopa de Espana with the All-Whites.

On the finish of his contract at Madrid, Enrique joined Barcelona as a free agent. He remained at Camp Nou till hanging up his boots in 2004, scoring 108 objectives in 300 video games and profitable two La Liga titles, two Copas del Rey, and one UEFA Supercup, amongst different honors.

#2 Ronaldo Nazario

Arguably the best striker of all time, Ronaldo Nazario plied his commerce at each Actual Madrid and Barcelona. The previous Brazil worldwide joined Barcelona from PSV Eindhoven in July 1996. He solely spent one season at Camp Nou earlier than bidding the membership adieu, but it surely was top-of-the-line of his profession. Ronaldo performed 49 video games for the Blaugrana that season, scoring 47 occasions and offering 13 assists. Shockingly, Barca bought him to Inter Milan in 1997 earlier than he finally discovered his means again to Spain with Actual Madrid in 2002.

Ronaldo spent 5 good years on the Bernabeu, scoring 103 objectives and offering 35 assists in 177 video games. Ronaldo helped the Whites to 2 La Liga titles and one UEFA Supercup, amongst different honors.

#1 Figo

Portugal icon Luis Figo went from being one of the vital cherished gamers in Barcelona to probably the most hated, all due to his surprising change to Actual Madrid in 2000.

Becoming a member of Barcelona from Sporting in 1995, Figo emerged as the most effective participant on the earth at Camp Nou, scoring 45 objectives and claiming 68 assists in 249 video games throughout competitions. His heroics helped Barca to 2 La Liga titles amongst different honors.

Figo regarded destined to stay at Camp Nou for the foreseeable future, however a masterstroke from Los Blancos president Florentino Perez introduced him to the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in 2000. The Ballon d’Or winner in 2000 achieved much more success in Madrid, profitable two La Liga titles and a Champions League trophy with the membership earlier than leaving for Inter Milan in 2005. Previous to his change to Italy, Figo performed 245 video games for Los Merengues, scoring 57 occasions and offering 93 assists.