Over the years the conversation regarding players who represented Barcelona and Real Madrid have also been bent on betrayal, back-stabbing, and a traitorous act.
Players cross-carpeting from a rival club to another across the globe isn’t easy for fans to stomach, and they on many occasions vent their anger through different means.
However, it is important to also pan our lenses on their quality and the magnificence they exuded for both clubs.
Best 5 players who played for Real Madrid and Barcelona
Anyway, let’s put a spotlight on the best 5 players who played for Real Madrid and Barcelona.
5) Luis Enrique
Many modern-day football fans certainly will be shocked to know that Luis Enrique played for both Spanish giants.
Enrique spent five years with Real Madrid, representing the club from 1991 to 1996, but he left the team to join Barcelona after his contract expired at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Well, given his exploits for Barcelona it is understandable that he is known majorly for his brilliance at the club.
Luis Enrique was one of Barcelona’s main players in the late 90s and early 2000s, and that is why he isn’t much of a household name at Real Madrid.
However, he is one of the best players to have donned the colors of both gigantic teams.
Enrique scored 18 goals and provided 7 assists in 213 appearances for Real Madrid, while he netted 108 goals and provided 40 assists in 300 games for Barcelona.
4) Samuel Eto
The Cameroonian began his career at Real Madrid but went on to do exploits at clubs like Inter Milan, Barcelona, and Chelsea.
Eto was playing in the Castella – Real Madrid’s academy during the 90s, and he looked like a player who could burgeon into greatness.
Samuel Eto penned his first professional deal with Real Madrid in 1997, but was sent on loan for three years with different clubs, namely; Leganes, Espanyol, and Mallorca.
The Ex-Cameroon international finally left Los Blancos in 2000 after making just 7 appearances for the side, and he joined Mallorca on a permanent deal and was at the club until 2004.
Following his monstrous showing in Mallorca, Eto was snapped up by Barcelona, playing for the club from 2004 to 2009, and he was magnificent with the Blaugrana.
Samuel Eto made 199 appearances for the Blaugrana, scoring 130 goals and providing 40 assists across all competitions.
3) Luis Figo
Barcelona might still be biting the nails over letting Figo exit for Real Madrid, and this is arguably the most popular player sale between the two clubs.
Luis Figo immediately entered the bad books of Barcelona fans after moving to the Santiago Bernabeu.
His move to Real Madrid happened due to a buyout clause in his deal at Barcelona, which the Madrid-based club triggered.
Barcelona had no choice but to let him go, and his transfer to Madrid evoked possibly the most hostile El Clasico meeting in history.
Despite attaining great heights at Camp Nou, Figo went on to Real Madrid and etched bigger heights.
Luis Figo made 245 appearances for Los Blancos, scoring 57 goals and providing 93 assists in all competitions.
For Barcelona, he made 249 appearances, scoring 45 goals and providing 69 assists in all competitions.
2) Michael Laudrup
Fans of both clubs will obviously look at Laudrup as a monstrous player, having won a La Liga title at Barcelona and Real Madrid.
Most of Michael Laudrup’s successes in his career came with Barcelona, but it was his fallout with football great Johan Cruyff that resulted in him leaving for the Santiago Bernabeu.
The Dane didn’t spend much time with Real Madrid, playing for the club for just two seasons, but he is considered to be one of the greatest players of all time and for both clubs.
Laudrup is a five-time La Liga champion, and he is well revered globally for his display during his career.
It is believed that he is well respected because he inspired every player he played alongside to success and that energy also enveloped the fans.
Laudrup made 226 appearances for Barcelona, scoring 54 goals and providing 19 assists in all competitions.
He made 76 appearances for Real Madrid, scoring 15 goals and providing 19 assists across all competitions.
1) Ronaldo De Lima
Whether you call him “El phenomenon” or “original Ronaldo”, what is defined is the greatness of this Brazilian.
Ronaldo De Lima is one of the best players to play football and is considered by many to be the greatest player of all time.
The former Inter Milan forward spent just one season with Barcelona as a youngster, but despite his short stint at the club he still etched his name in gold.
De Lima moved to Real Madrid after a five-year stint in Italy with Inter Milan, and as aforementioned he was magnificent at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The two-time Ballon d’Or winner shockingly won the La Liga title just once, but he was truly golden.
Ronaldo De Lima came back to Spain in 2002, after leaving Inter Milan, and on his debut, he scored a brace for Real Madrid against Alaves.
The Brazilian had pace, trickery, and panache, and he was also technically sound, with a unique aura of class.
De Lima made 49 appearances for Barcelona, scoring 47 goals and providing 13 assists, while he made 177 appearances for Real Madrid, scoring 103 goals and providing 35 assists.
