La Liga is one of the most prestigious soccer leagues on the planet, and every season often comes down to its most attractive game: El Clasico. Barcelona and Real Madrid are two of the biggest clubs in the world and anytime they face is a must-watch.
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
Luis Enrique playing for Barcelona. (Nuno Correia/Allsport UK/Allsport)
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
Javier Saviola played for both sides but he had a much better spell in Barcelona. (Jasper Juinen/Getty Images)
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.
