16 players that have played for Real Madrid and Barcelona

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.

16 players that have played for Real Madrid and Barcelona

1. Luis Milla

A boyhood Barcelona player, Luis Milla made the controversial move to the Spanish capital. It is with Real Madrid where he is most fondly remembered. He was a visionary midfielder, dissecting the game well in his defensive midfield role.

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

One of the best midfielders of all time, Michael Laudrup is a recognisable name. He played for both El Clasico sides, showcasing his all-round ability of passing, control and game dictation.

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. Julen Lopetegui

Played for Real Madrid but he is mostly recognised for his managerial time more recently at the club. It's fair to say, that both his playing days and managing days aren't fondly remembered by Madridistas.

Years at Real Madrid: 1988-1991

Years at Barcerlona: 1994-1997

Notable achievements: At Real Madrid, he won La Liga despite making just one appearance. At Barcelona, he won two Supercopa de Españas.

6. 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.

7. 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

8. Luis Enrique

Sigh. Unfortunately, we have to mention the turncoat Luis Enrique. We'll keep this one short but not sweet.

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.

9. 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.

10. Dani Garcia

As a boyhood Real Madrid player, it was a shame to see it not work out for Dani Garcia in the first-team. However, it was even more shameful to see him join Barcelona later in his career.

Years at Real Madrid: 1994-1998

Years at Barcelona: 1999-2003

Notable achievements: He won the UEFA Champions League, La Liga and Supercopa de España while at Real Madrid. However, he didn't register a league goal in only ten appearances.

11. 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.

12. 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.

13. Ronaldo

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.

14. 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.

15. Javier Saviola

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.

16. 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.

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