Figo’s career wasn’t without its fair share of controversy, particularly his highly publicized and unforgettable transfer from Barcelona to archrivals Real Madrid—a move that permanently soured his relationship with the Catalan faithful.

Figo began his professional career at Sporting CP in Lisbon, where he quickly rose through the ranks before earning a move to Barcelona. During his five years with the club, Figo won seven trophies and became a beloved figure among fans. But all that changed in 2000, when he shocked soccer world by transferring to Real Madrid, igniting one of the fiercest player rivalries in the sport’s history.

The bitterness from Barcelona fans was palpable, most notably in a famous El Clásico match at Camp Nou, where Figo was pelted with objects every time he approached the corner flag.

That same year, despite the controversy, Figo’s brilliance on the field earned him the Ballon d’Or, recognizing him as the best player in the world—having played for both Barcelona and Real Madrid in that calendar year.

Figo’s top three soccer players of all time

In a conversation with former defender Rio Ferdinand five years ago, Figo was asked to name the best players in history. Without hesitation, the Portuguese legend listed Pelé, Eusebio, and Cristiano Ronaldo. “Pelé for what he meant to his generation, Eusebio for the same, and Cristiano Ronaldo because today he is the best player in the world,” Figo said.

It’s no surprise that Figo included two fellow Portuguese icons, Eusebio and Ronaldo, in his all-time top three. Despite Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona omission, Figo’s choices reflect his deep appreciation for players who shaped generations and his admiration for fellow countryman Cristiano Ronaldo.

Winners have ranged from Roberto Baggio, Johan Cruyff, Michel Platini, Ronaldinho, and George Weah. Many of these players have gone on to become legends of the game and carve out a great life for themselves.

The Sun published an article on the net worth of some of the past Ballon d’Or winners, it’s a list of who’s who in the soccer world.

Lionel Messi

Messi recently signed a huge mega deal with Inter Miami and Major League Soccer, his net worth in 2023 could be in the $127 million range although due to various incentives he could earn nearly double what has been listed.

Cristiano Ronaldo

CR7 signed a mega deal with Al- Nassr and has a near lifetime contract with Nike estimated to be worth in the $1 billion range. The Portuguese international still has some of the best endorsements on the planet and he continues to be a prime figure in all of soccer. In 2023 CR7 is estimated to earn $440 million.

Luis Figo

The one-time best winger in the world won the Ballon d’Or while playing at Real Madrid, according to The Sun the net worth of Figo is still in the $50 million range.

Other Ballon d’Or winners net worth

Kaka is slated to have a net worth of $90 million, Zinedine Zidane $63 million, and Karim Benzema with $76 million.

This weekend, Los Cules and Los Blancos will add another chapter to their rivalry when they face off at Camp Nou. To watch the game in the US, tune in to ESPN+. It looks like one of the most evenly-matched Clasicos in a long time.

But, even though we’re talking about one of the most intense rivalries on Earth, the strong antagonism hasn’t prevented players from wearing both jerseys. Here, let’s break down some of the best to have worn both uniforms.

Ronaldo

The Brazilian legend has spent only a season in Barcelona but it was one to remember, as he scored an impressive 34 goals in 37 league matches. Ronaldo, who also played both for Inter and AC Milan, joined Real Madrid in 2002. He won four titles and racked up 104 goals in 177 appearancesin his fiveseasonsinthe Spanish capital.

Luis Figo

Joining the rivals could be seen as a betrayal and fans may never forgive you for that. If not, ask Luis Figo, whose controversial departure from Barca to sign for Real Madridmade him lose all the love from Los Cules. He went on to be part of Los Galacticos, winning the UEFA Champions League.

Bernd Schuster

But Figo wasn’t the only one who joined the rivals directly from Barcelona. Bernd Schuster did it before him in 1988. His career was full of controversial situations but also of success, as he enjoyed great results both with Barca and El Merengue.

Luis Enrique

Beforemaking his way into Barcelona’s history books, Luis Enrique played for Real Madrid between 1991 and 1996. He won three titles and scored23 times in 241appearances, but those numbers would get much better in Barca. Five trophies and115 goals in 333 matchesmade him a fan favorite, a love he renewed many years later as manager. At the helm of a team with the likes of Lionel Messi, Neymar, and Luis Suarez (the famous MSN) he delivered nine trophies.

Samuel Eto’o

His spell in Real Madrid may have gone unnoticed, but Samuel Eto’o played in the Spanish capital before shining at Barcelona. He played only seven games without scoring, and many years later, after a fantastic rise in Mallorca, he chose Los Cules over Madrid.

Michael Laudrup

Another player who switched Barca for Real Madrid, Michael Laudrup thrived at Camp Nou buthis bad relationship with Johan Cruyff made him leave the club in 1994, five years later after joining Los Cules from Juventus.

Javier Saviola

Following a promising breakthroughin River Plate and Argentina‘s U20s, Barcelona acquired Javier Saviola, who amassed 74 goals in 172 appearances in his four seasons at the club. But, after loan spells in Monaco and Sevilla, he didn’t renew with Barca and joined Real Madrid, where he spentonly two seasons and scored five goals in 31 appearances.

Gheorghe Hagi, Julen Lopetegui, Robert Prosinecki, Alfonso Perez, Nando Muñoz, Luis Milla, Albert Celades, Daniel Garcia, and Ricardo Zamora were other players who worn both shirts. A current Real Madrid star was close to joining Barcelona as well, but that didn’t happen and he will face them this weekend in a game that will be broadcast by ESPN+ in the US.

Unfortunately, his journey has come to anabrupt endand he was unable tobid farewellto a packed Camp Nou. Messi is now in PSG ready to embark on his first adventure awayfrom Barcelona, who – again – were incapable ofsaying goodbyeto a legend in the way he deserved.

Messi’s departure was probably the most hurtful one for Barca’s fans, but they’ve gone throughsimilar situations before. Here, we’ll take a look at the 13 renowned players who have left Barcelona on bad terms.

Lionel Messi

The day we thought we would never see has finally happened, Lionel Messi has left Barcelona to join another European club. Sadly, his problems with the previous board over the last few years proved costly and, even though Joan Laporta seemed to be on better terms with him, things weren’t turned around. Only a year ago, the soccer world was in shock as Messi wanted out amid a terrible relationship with Josep María Bartomeu.

Ayear left on his contract prevented him from leaving for free, but that situation had a big impact. He didn’t sign a new dealand, once a free agent, La Liga‘s regulations forbid Barca from affording his new contract. He left better than he would have done it in 2020, but the way in which he left is still sour after everything he had lived in Barcelona.

Luis Suárez

Messi’s desire to leave in 2020 didn’t come out of the blue. He wasn’t the only one to experience a bad moment at the club, if not ask Luis Suárez. The Uruguayan striker has scored 195 goals in six years at Barcelona and he could have left as the superstar he was.

Instead, a phone call was all he got. Ronald Koeman didn’t seem to have him on his plans but the situation could have been handled differently. Suárez didn’t take long to prove Barca were wrong on this one and went on to win La Liga 2020/21 with Atletico Madrid. Later, he reflected on his exit and stated that Koeman “didn’t have much personality.”

Samuel Eto’o

Samuel Eto’o‘s stint with Barcelona was one to remember, but things haven’t ended well. The Cameroonian star had an impactful first season in 2008/09when Pep Guardiola‘s boys won the treble in great fashion.

He had even scored the opening goal in the Champions League final, but Guardiola wouldn’t count on him for next season. Eto’o has even stated he loved Pep as a coach, but not as a person, and had a fantastic season with Inter Milan in 2009/10.

Rivaldo

The Brazilian megastar left Barcelonaafter five years in 2002 when Louis van Gaal returned to Camp Nou. Rivaldo had previously played under the Dutchman from 1997 to 2000, but their relationship was never great.

The Ballon d’Or winner had even said that he left because of van Gaal:“I don’t like him and I’m sure he doesn’t like me either.”Rivaldo was still in his prime after winning the 2002 World Cup with Brazil and joined AC Milan.

Luis Figo

When we talk about players who left Barcelona on bad terms, Luis Figo will probably be atop the list. The Portuguese star was an idol but the love was over when he joined lifelong rivals Real Madrid right away.

Amid back-and-forth with the Cules’board, Figo signed for the Merengues in 2000 and was part of the Galacticos era. From then on, there was no turning back and the Blaugranashave never forgiven him.

Ronaldinho

One of the most beloved players in world soccer, the Brazilian sensation was a complete standout during his time with Barcelona. Ronaldinho arrived at Camp Nou in 2003 and helped the club tasting continental glory three years later.

However, things have taken a differentdirection by 2008, when his relationship with the board was broken and his future at Barca seemed over. Ronaldinho then joined AC Milan, but a few years later he confessed that Pep Guardiola asked him to stay.

Hristo Stoichkov

Another player who left the club on bad terms with Louis van Gaal, Hristo Stoichkov played for Barcelona from 1990 to 1998 – although he spent a year on loan at Parma in 1995/96, during Johan Cruyff‘s era at Barca’s helm.

The Bulgarian star decided to end his contract with the Cules in 1998, blaming Louis van Gaal for not playing for more than a year. He didn’t leave on good terms with Josep Luis Nuñez, Barca’s president at that time, either.

Ronaldo

Ronaldo‘s departure from Barcelona was quite shocking. He made agreat impressionin his first season at Camp Nou, scoring an amazing 47 goals in 49 games in 1996/97, when he was only 20 years old.

They failed to get hold of him, though, as Inter Milan paid his buyout clause. Only five years later, Ronaldo signed for Real Madrid and joined the famous Galacticos in a huge blow for the Cules.

Michael Laudrup

Michael Laudrup was part of the so-called ‘Dream Team‘ under Johan Cruyff’s guidance. His best days were at Barcelona, where he landed in 1989 as the Dutchman was keen on signing him. He went on to win four leagues and the club’s first European Cup, but things didn’t end well.

While his relationship with Cruyff and the boardwasn’t good anymore, Romario‘s arrival in 1993 didn’t help either, as Barca neededto offload one of their foreign players.In 1994, Laudrup joined Real Madrid in another shocking move for the Catalans.

Romario

Romario had a great but short stint at Camp Nou. He signed for Barcelona in 1993, scoring an impressive 32 goals in 47 games in his first season, but didn’t last much longer as he and Johan Cruyff didn’t getalong anymore.

In January 1995, after winning the 1994 World Cup with Brazil, Romario returned home to join Flamengo. Cruyff mentioned that he couldn’t care less if he was unhappy and wanted to leave.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Zlatan signed for Barcelona in 2009 due to Pep Guardiola’s eagerness to land him while Samuel Eto’o was packing his bags. By the end of the season, however, Ibrahimovic was no longer a priority for Pep.

The Swedish star was replaced in the first leg of the Champions League semifinals against Inter when Barca were trailing, and that series seemed to end hisgood relationship with the Spanish manager. Zlatan never returned to the starting XI after Barcelona’s elimination and joined Milan in 2010.

Bernd Schuster

Bernd Schuster spent eight years in Barcelona before signing for Real Madrid in 1988. That was just one of the many controversial episodes in his career. Schuster had been in the eye of the storm for abandoning the 1986 European Cup final on a taxi after being replaced.

Despite being one of the Cules best players at the time, he left the club on such bad terms that he didn’t mind joining the rivals. In an interview with El Pais, however, he stated that he wasn’t looking for revenge, that he was even grateful for his eight seasons with Barca.

Diego Maradona

Barcelona were the first European club to sign the Argentine legend after the 1982 World Cup. Diego Maradona proved his talent with the Blaugrana and won three titles, but his two seasons were hit by injuries and illness.

In1982/83 Diego was ruled out for about four months with hepatitis. The following season didn’t begin well for him either, as he was sidelined for another three months after Andoni Goikoetxea‘s ugly challenge. His tenure at Barcelona ended with the infamous ‘Battle of Bernabeu‘, the brawl in the1983 Copa del Rey finalbetween the Cules and Athletic Bilbao.