Figo, Ronaldo, Enrique... 11 Footballers Played For Both Barca & Real Madrid

The most controversial was that of Luis Figo who went from a Barca hero to public enemy Number One when he transferred to Real Madrid in 2000

Barcelona and Real Madrid are the biggest football clubs in Spain and among the best in the world. Both giants are eternal rivals and matches between both are popularly called “El Clasico”.

The rivalry between Barca and Real is so intense that it is considered a taboo for a player to play for both clubs in his career.

But some players have done the impossible by turning out for both sides, either through a direct transfer or from another club side.

In fact, almost 40 players have represented both sides — this includes some of the best players of all time.

This article presents you with the 11 top footballers who have played for Barcelona and Real Madrid.

The most controversial on this list, Figo went from a Barca hero to public enemy Number One when he transferred to Real Madrid in 2000.

Famous for his creativity and ability to get past defenders as a winger, Figo is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time.

His 106 assists are the second-most in La Liga history, behind Lionel Messi. He won the 2000 Ballon d’Or, 2001 FIFA World Player of the Year.

The Portuguese made the controversial transfer from Barcelona to Real in 2000 for a then world record fee of €62 million.

His signing was the promise which won Florentino Perez the Madrid presidency but it was a bitter pill for Barca fans to swallow due to his status as a star player at Camp Nou.

Figo’s first appearance as a Real Madrid player at Camp Nou created a very tense and deafening atmosphere. He was brutally taunted throughout the game.

There were banners hung around the stadium with words like “Traitor”, “Judas”, “Scum”,