What Happens When Football Players Switch Between Barcelona And Real Madrid?

 Since 1990, there have been 16 players that have played for Real Madrid and Barcelona. Here, we run through them all with further context.

Throughout the history of football, players have continuously represented different clubs. It has become a key part of football culture and a way by which players can climb the career ladder.

With that being said, it is a rare occasion that players play for both Real Madrid and Barcelona. Since 1990, there have been 16 players that have played for Real Madrid and Barcelona.

Below, we will explore the 16 players who to have worn the Real Madrid and Barcelona shirts. We will outline their years at each club and list any notable achievements.

1. Luis Milla

Luis Milla is part of a special club because he's played for both Barcelona and Real Madrid, before ending his career with Valencia.The former defensive midfielder came through the ranks at Barcelona, making his LaLiga Santander debut in 1984/85, and remained at the club until 1990 before making the controversial move to their eternal rivals."It wasn't easy to swap Barcelona for Real Madrid," Milla told Rafa Sahuquillo on MARCA's 'El Iceberg' podcast.Unfortunately for Milla, though, his transfer was made more hazardous after he suffered a serious injury to his right foot barely two weeks after signing for Los Blancos.Following his recovery, Milla went on to make 165 appearances for Real Madrid, winning two LaLiga Santander titles and one Copa del Rey trophy, before leaving for Valencia in 1997, where he stayed for the final four years of his career.

Years at Barcelona: 1994-1990

Years at Real Madrid: 1990-1997

Notable achievements: With Barcelona, Milla won La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the European Cup Winners' Cup. With Real Madrid, he won two La Ligas, the Copa del Rey and the Supercopa de España.

2. Nando

A versatile defender who could either play centrally or on the flank, Nando is another player who made the switch from Barcelona to Real Madrid.

Years at Barcelona: 1990-1992

Years at Real Madrid: 1992-1996

Notable achievements: With Barcelona, Nando won two La Ligas and one European Cup (now the Champions League). With Real Madrid, Nando won La Liga, Copa del Rey and the Supercopa de España.

3. Michael Laudrup

Michael Laudrup’s early career

Laudrup started his career at Kjøbenhavns Boldklub after emerging from the team’s youth academy. 

The attacking midfielder’s senior career began in 1981 and it wasn’t long until he was off to new surroundings. Brøndby signed Laudrup in 1982 but he played a mere one season at the club. It was a mercurial rise for the youngster, however. 

He scored 24 goals in 38 games for Brøndby prompting teams from around the continent to take notice. 

Laudrup had made a name for himself as a quick, intelligent attacking midfielder at Juventus, but it was his next career stop that really put him on the map. In 1989, Johan Cruyff signed Laudrup to be the centrepiece of his Barcelona team. 

Laudrup was the creative player Cruyff dreamed of having in the side. 

He was a Danish version of Cruyff, capable of turning a game on its head in seconds. Barcelona paid £2.70m for Laudrup’s services, but the results weren’t immediate. Barcelona finished third in La Liga that campaign, 11 points behind Real Madrid. 

The Blaugrana did win the Copa del Rey, a trophy they have become synonymous with over the years. 

Laudrup provided Barcelona with two very important things. 

For one, the team were able to play freely in the middle of the park. This prevented Cruyff’s team from relying on wing play to create and/or score goals. Secondly, Laudrup’s profile as a goal-creator and provider would enable Barcelona to add more capable goalscorers to play in attack. 

The best player in the world, I can’t believe he hasn’t won the title as best player.” - Pep Guardiola 

The Dane excelled in Cruyff’s team. Laudrup scored 54 goals and tallied 12 assists in 224 career matches for the Blaugrana. His assists stats may have been low, but it wasn’t always the final pass that Laudrup provided. It was the pass to set up the final ball. 

Laudrup helped Barcelona to four straight La Liga titles, their pinnacle under Cruyff. A Copa del Rey trophy, two Supercopa de Espana trophies, a European Cup, and UEFA Super Cup were all lifted in a four-season period. 

Sure, Pep Guardiola and company dominated competitions in the 2010s, but in many ways, the success of Barcelona under Cruyff from 1990 to 1994 was greater.

Real Madrid paid £8.64m for the midfielder and promptly won the La Liga trophy in 1994-95. While critics claimed Laudrup wanted to get back at ex-manager Cruyff, the truth was Los Blancos were a club desperate to stop Barcelona’s dominance. It was a project that excited Laudrup. 

A two-year stay in the capital ended in 1996 as Laudrup made the strange move to Japan to play for second-division team Vissel  Kobe. 

Despite being in his early 30s, Laudrup moved away from Europe and the intensity of football on the continent. His stay in Japan was brief as Ajax signed Laudrup in 1997 for £6.75m. It was the last rodeo for the talented midfielder. Eleven goals in 21 league games result in a Dutch Eredivisie title. 

The trophy was the last Laudrup won in club football and a fitting send-off for one of the game’s all-time great midfielders, and one of Denmark’s greatest players.

“When Michael plays like a dream, a magic illusion, determined to show his new team his extreme abilities, no one in the world comes anywhere near his level.” -- Johan Cruyff 

Years at Barcelona: 1989-1994

Years at Real Madrid: 1994-1996

Notable achievements: At Barcelona, Laudrup won four La Ligas, two Supercopa de Españas, the European Cup (now the Champions League), Copa del Rey and UEFA Super Cup. At Real Madrid, he won La Liga

4. Gheorghe Hagi

Gheorghe Hagi is one of the best Romanian players of all-time. In the 80s and 90s, he was considered one of the best players in the world. So, it's no surprise he represented both El Clasico sides.

Years at Real Madrid: 1990-1992

Years at Barcelona: 1994-1996

Notable achievements: Won the Supercopa de España at both sides.

5. Miquel Soler

A versatile full-back who was capable of playing in all three thirds of the pitch, Miquel Soler played for a multitude of Spanish sides. Both El Clasico rivals were featured on that list, so too were Atletico Madrid.

Years at Barcelona: 1988-1995

Years at Real Madrid: 1995-1996

Notable achievements: At Barcelona, Soler won two La Ligas, the Copa del Rey and the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup.

6. Robert Prosinecki

Played for a handful of different Spanish sides. He was mostly known for his ability with the ball at his feet, being a great dribbler and great passer. He was able to defend, but his in-possession work is what stood out the most.

Years at Real Madrid: 1991-1995

Years at Barcelona: 1995-1996

Notable achievements: At Real Madrid, he won the Copa del Rey, Supercopa de España and Copa Iberoamericana

7.Luis Enrique

Spanish soccer manager and former professional player Luis Enrique Martinez Garcia was born in Gijon, Spain, on 8 May 1970, making Taurus his zodiac sign. He’s known for having played for both Barcelona and Real Madrid from 1991 through 2004, starting in over 500 games and scoring over 100 goals; Luis also played for the Spanish national team, including in a European Championship and three World Cups.

Years at Real Madrid: 1991-1996

Years at Barcelona: 1996-2004

Notable achievements: At Real Madrid, Luis Enrique won La Liga, Copa del Rey and the Supercopa de España. At Barcelona, Enqrique won two La Ligas, two Copa del Reys, one Supercopa de España, one UEFA Cup and one UEFA Cup Winners' Cup.

Enrique also returned to manage Barcelona. As a manager, he won three Copa del Reys, two La Ligas, the Supercopa de España, the Champions League, the UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup.

8. Alfonso Perez

A boyhood Real Madrid player, Alfonso Perez also went on to represent their arch rivals Barcelona later in his career. He was mostly known for his incredible heading ability.

Years at Real Madrid: 1991-1995

Years at Barcelona: 2000-2002

Notable achievements: At Real Madrid, Perez won La Liga, Copa del Rey and the Supercopa de España.

9. Albert Celades

Albert Celades was mostly known for his incredible defensive ability and reading of the game. Therefore, it's no surprise to see his managerial philosophy revolved around defending.

Years at Barcelona: 1995-1999

Years at Real Madrid: 2000-2005

Notable achievements: At Barcelona, Celades won two La Ligas, two Copa del Reys, the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup and the UEFA Super Cup. At Real Madrid, he won two La Ligas, the UEFA Champions League and the Supercopa de España. He also returned to Real Madrid as the assistant manager.

10. Luis Figo

One of the standout players of the El Clasico rivalry. In fact, Luis Figo is the most influential figure in the culture of this rivalry. Barcelona fans hate him but Real Madrid fans love him.

Years at Barcelona: 1995–2000

Years at Real Madrid: 2000-2005

Notable achievements: At Barcelona, Figo won two La Ligas, two Copa del Reys, the Supercopa de España, the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup and the UEFA Super Cup. At Real Madrid, he won two La Ligas, two Supercopa de Españas, the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and Intercontinental Cup. He is also a Ballon d'Or winner.

11. Ronaldo  Nazário

Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima, mononymously known as Ronaldo, is a Brazilian former professional footballer who played for both Real Madrid and Barcelona

Needs absolutely no introduction. One of the greatest players of all-time and remembered more fondly at Real Madrid. Ronaldo will always be a club legend.

Years at Barcelona: 1996-1997

Years at Real Madrid: 2002–2007

Notable achievements: Won the Copa del Rey, Supercopa de España and UEFA Cup Winners' Cup at Barcelona. Then, he won La Liga, Supercopa de España and Intercontinental Cup at Real Madrid. He is also a two-time Ballon d'Or winner.

12. Samuel Eto'o

One of the greatest players to ever come out of the Real Madrid academy. However, he left behind little to no legacy in the Real Madrid first-team. Instead, he is recognised for achieving after leaving Real Madrid.

Years at Real Madrid: 1997–2000

Years at Barcelona: 2004-2009

Notable achievements: Won three La Ligas, two Champions Leagues, two Supercopa de Españas and one Copa del Rey at Barcelona.

13.Javier Saviola

Javier Saviola is part of the players who got the opportunity to play for both real Madrid and Barcelona. With the ability to play in any advanced central position, Javier Saviola was an incredible shot-taker, dribbler and centrepiece.

Years at Barcelona: 2001–2007

Years at Real Madrid: 2007-2009

Notable achievements: With Real Madrid, Javier Saviola won La Liga and the Supercopa de España.

14. Marcos Alonso

Marcos Alonso Came through the Real Madrid academy. However, Marcos Alonso is mostly known for his career after Real Madrid.

Years at Real Madrid: 2010

Years at Barcelona: 2022–2024

Notable achievements: Won La Liga and the Supercopa de España at Barcelona.