With El Clasico developing this weekend, we check out the a number of the most infamous gamers to have crossed the divide on the planet’s most well-known fixture.
On July twenty fourth 2000, Luis Figo grew to become the world’s most costly participant when he signed for Actual Madrid from Barcelona. To the followers, Figo made the transfer on the peak of his powers, profitable the Ballon d’Or shortly after becoming a member of their arch-rivals. The Portuguese star was prolific for each groups, making over 150 appearances and profitable two league titles for both sides. Figo finally left Actual Madrid in 2003, having cemented himself as one of many best ever international gamers to grace .
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Maybe it’s right down to sheer expertise that Ronaldo Nazario stays beloved by each set of followers. Il Fenomeno joined FC Barcelona for the 1996/97 marketing campaign from PSV. Regardless of solely staying for one season, Ronaldo was imperious, scoring 47 targets in 49 video games on path to serving to FC Barcelona win the UEFA Cup Winners Cup, Copa del Rey and Spanish Tremendous Cup. On account of points in his contract, Inter Milan met his launch clause and, to a lot unhappiness in Catalonia, he departed shortly after. 5 years later, Ronaldo joined Actual Madrid to the delight of fellow Galacticos Zinedine Zidane, David Beckham and Roberto Carlos. Regardless of battling accidents, Ronaldo achieved a lot success at Actual Madrid, profitable the Ballon d’Or, LaLiga title, Intercontinental Cup, Spanish Tremendous Cup and registering 83 targets in 127 appearances.
Broadly considered one of many best gamers of his technology, Michael Laudrup was a key member of Johan Cruyff’s Dream Workforce at FC Barcelona alongside Ronald Koeman. Underneath Cruyff’s management, Laudrup gained 9 trophies on the membership together with 4 successive league titles between 1991 and 1994 and the European Cup in 1992. In a controversial transfer, Laudrup determined to affix Actual Madrid within the aftermath of the 1994 World Cup. His resolution was instantly vindicated, with the membership happening to win the 1995 LaLiga title, making Laudrup the one participant ever to win the Spanish league 5 occasions in a row enjoying for 2 totally different golf equipment. He left to affix Vissel Kobe, forsaking a legacy of being probably the most gifted gamers to play for the 2 golf equipment.
Picture by way of El Periodico
Luis Enrique is the fourth participant on this listing to have crossed the divide. Luis Enrique joined Actual Madrid from Sporting Gijon in 1991, spending 5 years within the capital and notably scoring of their 5-0 win over FC Barcelona in January 1995. Stating that he didn’t really feel appreciated, Luis Enrique departed in 1996 for the Catalan giants along with his present contract coming to an finish. Though handled with warning at first, he , staying eight years, changing into membership captain and scoring 73 targets in 207 appearances. He retired in 2004 on the age of 34 and went on to handle FC Barcelona to LaLiga and Champions League glory.
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Lastly, Bernd Schuster was a Barcelona stalwart who made 170 appearances for the membership throughout eight years of service. The German was a precocious expertise and shortly grew to become a fan favorite, profitable the European Silver Ball in 1980 and Bronze Ball in 1981 and 1985. His transfer to Actual Madrid in 1988 was extremely controversial and got here at a time when Actual Madrid had been beginning to regain management of LaLiga. He stayed at Los Blancos for 2 years, scoring 13 targets in 61 appearances. Schuster latterly managed Actual Madrid in 2007 and steered them to the 2007/08 LaLiga title.
Different well-known gamers who’ve crossed the divide embrace Samuel Eto’o, Javier Saviola, Albert Celades, Julen Lopetegui, Luis Milla, Ricardo Zamora and Josep Samitier, one among Barcelona’s early greats. Newer examples are more and more exhausting to come back by, maybe an indication of simply how troublesome it’s to do.