Marc Cucurella is the latest player to have played for both giants of Spanish football as he left Chelsea to join Real Madrid. One of the most discussed and debated decisions in Spain is crossing the Clásico divide. It’s not just a talent thing, it takes a lot of guts and a thick skin to get interested in both clubs, and deal with the inevitable backlash from fans.
Barcelona and Real Madrid are rivals in world sport and it is not uncommon for players to be accused of betrayal when they switch teams. This is uncommon but has occurred in the past and some players have become legends at both clubs. These players have made a lasting impact on Spanish football, from the early days of the 1900s to today’s superstars such as Luís Figo and Michael Laudrup.
Complete List of Players Who Played for Barcelona and Real Madrid
The full list of all players that have played for both Barcelona and Real Madrid:
Alfonso Albéniz
Position: Midfielder Barcelona: 1901–1902 Real Madrid: 1902–1903, 1911–1912
A true renaissance man, Albéniz was the first to play for both clubs. He went on to become a football referee, chemical engineer, lecturer and even a Spanish ambassador after his playing days.
Enrique Normand
Position: Midfielder Real Madrid: 1902–1915 Barcelona: 1909
Normand had a long career at Real Madrid, before a short stint at Barcelona. He was one of the pioneers in the professional era of Spanish football.
José Quirante
Position: Midfielder Barcelona: 1906–1911 Real Madrid: 1911–1913
Quirante was a mainstay of the early Clásicos and played for both teams in the early years of Spanish football.
Arsenio Comamala
Position: Midfielder Barcelona: 1903–1913 Real Madrid: 1911–1913
Comamala was a long time Barcelona associate before making the move. He was known for his versatility and technical ability.
Charles Wallace
Position: Forward Barcelona: 1907–1911 Real Madrid: 1908
The first foreign player to appear in the team of both clubs. Forward born in London joined Madrid on loan.
Walter Rositzky
Position: Midfielder/Forward Barcelona: 1911–1913 Real Madrid: 1913–1914
The first foreigner to play for both teams. He was away from Spain when World War I broke out.
Ricardo Zamora
Position: Goalkeeper Barcelona: 1919–1922 Real Madrid: 1930–1936
The legendary keeper El Divino. He won league titles with Madrid and the Zamora Trophy is still awarded in his honour every season.
Josep Samitier
Position: Midfielder Barcelona: 1919–1932 Real Madrid: 1932–1934
Born in Barcelona, he is a legend of the club who won big trophies for both team and later served as a scout for them.
Hilario Marrero
Position: Midfielder Barcelona: 1930–1932 Real Madrid: 1932–1934
Marrero played in an unstable political climate in Spain, and was active on both sides in the early pro career.
Hilario
Position: Midfielder Real Madrid: 1931–1936 Barcelona: 1939
A dependable midfielder who played at both the pre- and post-Civil War era.
Josep Escolà
Position: Forward Barcelona: 1934–1948 Real Madrid: 1948–1949
A prolific goalscorer who enjoyed a long career with Barcelona before a short stint at Real Madrid.
Joaquín Navarro
Position: Defender Barcelona: 1941–1942 Real Madrid: 1949–1957
Navarro had a long and successful stint at Real Madrid following a short time at Barcelona.
Josep Canal
Position: Midfielder Real Madrid: 1945–1946 Barcelona: 1946–1951
Canal was a post-war football reconstruction switcher.
Alfonso Navarro
Position: Forward Barcelona: 1946–1950 Real Madrid: 1950–1951
Forward had brief but fruitful career with both teams.
Justo Tejuda
Position: Forward Barcelona: 1952–1961 Real Madrid: 1961–1963
Tejuda was part of Barcelona’s successful teams in the 1950s before moving to their rivals.
Evaristo
Position: Forward Barcelona: 1957–1962 Real Madrid: 1962–1965
One of the great flamboyant forwards of his time. He has won several titles with Barcelona before joining Real Madrid.
Chus Pereda
Position: Midfielder Real Madrid: 1958–1959 Barcelona: 1961–1969
Pereda had a brief stint at Madrid but was more successful at Barcelona.
Fernand Goyvaerts
Position: Forward Barcelona: 1962–1965 Real Madrid: 1965–1966
The only Belgian to have played for both teams. He is a winner of the European Cup with Real Madrid in 1966.
Lucien Müller
Position: Midfielder Real Madrid: 1962–1965 Barcelona: 1965–1968
Technically gifted midfielder who played for both in the 1960s.
Amador Lorenzo
Position: Goalkeeper Real Madrid: 1976–1978 Barcelona: 1980–1986
A solid shot stopper with two stints at Spain’s top clubs.
Bernd Schuster
Position: Midfielder Barcelona: 1980–1988 Real Madrid: 1988–1990
Both clubs won the La Liga with the Bernd Schuster and later Real Madrid won a title with him.
Luis Milla
Position: Midfielder Barcelona: 1984–1990 Real Madrid: 1990–1997
Milla crossed the divide in a controversial manner and won two league titles with Madrid.
Miquel Soler
Position: Fullback/Midfielder Barcelona: 1988–1995 Real Madrid: 1995–1996
A flexible player, who was a key player for Barcelona but was briefly loaned to their rivals.
Michael Laudrup
Position: Midfielder Barcelona: 1989–1993 Real Madrid: 1994–1995
One of the classiest players to grace Spanish football. He was a 5–0 Clásicos winner for both clubs, a feat he achieved on numerous occasions.
Alfonso Pérez
Position: Forward Real Madrid: 1989–1995 Barcelona: 1995–1996
A young forward who couldn’t get used to playing on the other side.
Julen Lopetegui
Position: Goalkeeper Real Madrid: 1989–1990 Barcelona: 1994–1996
He was more commonly known as a manager, and had limited playing time for both teams.
Nando
Position: Defender Barcelona: 1990–1991 Real Madrid: 1992–1995
A good defender who had brief stints with both giants.
Gheorghe Hagi
Position: Midfielder/Forward Real Madrid: 1990–1991 Barcelona: 1994–1995
The Romanian superstar had short but memorable spells with both clubs.
Luis Enrique
Position: Midfielder Real Madrid: 1991–1996 Barcelona: 1996–2004
Made a Barcelona legend out of himself by beginning his career at Real Madrid in Spain.
Robert Prosinečki
Position: Midfielder Real Madrid: 1991–1993 Barcelona: 1995–1996
The creative Croatian was plagued by injuries at both teams.
Dani García
Position: Midfielder Real Madrid: 1993–1997 Barcelona: 1999–2002
A hard-working midfielder who played for both in the 90s.
Luís Figo
Position: Midfielder Barcelona: 1995–2000 Real Madrid: 2000–2005
The biggest transfer in Clásico history. Figo joined the original Galácticos.
Albert Celades
Position: Midfielder Barcelona: 1994–1999 Real Madrid: 2000–2003
Florentino Pérez’ first signing after Barcelona.
Ronaldo
Position: Forward Barcelona: 1996–1997 Real Madrid: 2002–2007
The Brazilian phenomenon lit up the Camp Nou before heading back to Spain with Madrid.
Samuel Eto’o
Position: Forward Real Madrid: 1998 Barcelona: 2004–2008
Only made a few appearances for Madrid before becoming a Barcelona legend.
Javier Saviola
Position: Forward Barcelona: 2001–2007 Real Madrid: 2007–2009
The Argentine striker had a long stint at Barcelona before joining their rivals.
Marcos Alonso
Position: Defender Real Madrid: 2008–2010 Barcelona: 2022–2024
Late in his career he was sent back to Spain where he went on to win significant trophies with Barcelona.
Marc Cucurella
Position: Defender Barcelona: 2017–2020 Real Madrid: 2026–
The newest player to cross the line. Cucurella was a product of La Masia but only made a senior appearance for Barcelona.
