5 Players who played for both Barcelona and Real Madrid
Barcelona and Real Madrid, two clubs with deep roots in history success and royalty in world football. They have always been counted amongst the best and the elite. Sparks and controversies float around when these two compete against each other, the fixture which generates the most viewership in club football along with passion.
The age-old rivalry between the two Spanish giants creates an unmissable, unstoppable game of football which is admired by the fan-bases of all the clubs in the world.
This fixture has witnessed many filthy fights, dreamy goals, and fierce rivalries among the best players and managers.
There have been many warriors who fought this war of supremacy and some of them were good enough to fight from either end. It is not a common sight, playing for one club and then joining their greatest rival team but some players had the courage to do this.
Here are 5 players who played for both the clubs during their career.
#5 Julen Lopetegui
Position: Goalkeeper
Barcelona career: Joined/Left - July 1994/ July 1997
Appearances - 10
Goals conceded/Clean sheets - 19/1
Real Madrid career: Joined/Left - August 1989/ July 1991
Appearances - 1
Goals conceded/Clean sheets - 3/0
Julen Lopetegui was in the news recently but for all the wrong reasons. He was appointed as the Real Madrid manager in the summer of 2018 but was soon sacked after his poor managerial decisions and weak tactics.
The Real Madrid job did not come at an easy cost for him, he was the head coach of the Spanish national team and was leading them to the FIFA World Cup 2018 with just one defeat in 10 games in the qualifying rounds. But his decision of signing for Real Madrid just a day before the first World Cup game led to his dismissal after the Spanish FA decided to sack him.
Lopetegui had desired a lot to become a successful player. He could never really establish himself at any of the clubs he played for. He was a backup goalkeeper during his time at Barcelona as well as Madrid rarely taking part in big competitions like the UEFA Champions League.
Lopetegui's playing career wasn't blistering and exciting at all but it would be only fair to say he made it up by going big in his managerial career, managing his national side Spain and later going on to manage one of the most successful clubs in the world, Real Madrid.