The El Clasico is coming up and the rivalry between the two great teams Barcelona and Real Madrid is legendary. The two Spanish giants have won 55 La Liga titles between them with Real Madrid winning 32 of them and Barcelona winning 23.
Players who have played for both these legendary clubs are few and far in between, however, players who have won the La Liga titles with both Real Madrid and Barcelona are extremely rare. Some famous players like Ronaldo Nazario and Javier Saviola have managed to play for both these clubs, but they have surprisingly not managed to win the League with both of them.
Ahead of the El Clasico, we take a look at 5 players who won the La Liga with both Barcelona and Real Madrid.
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#1 Luis Figo
One of the greatest footballers of all time, Luis Figo’s transfer to Real Madrid from Barcelona in 2000 was one of the most controversial transfers of all time. Renowned for his creativity and having the ability to get past defenders, Figo is regarded as one of the greatest wingers of his generation.
The Portuguese superstar’s creativity can be seen by the fact that he is second on the list for the most assists in La Liga, only behind Lionel Messi. At his physical peak, Figo was a quick, elegant, highly skilful player with a dribbling ability that allowed him to frequently take on and beat defenders in one on one situations.
Capable of delivering pin-point set pieces, Figo also scored some crucial goals due to his powerful striking ability from distance and his accurate free-kicks.
Luis Figo won two La Liga tiles each with Barcelona and Real Madrid. He also won the Ballon D’Or award in 2000.
Figo at Barcelona
Seasons: 1995-2000 (5)
Number of La Liga titles – 2 (1997/98, 1998/99)
Total number of trophies – 7
Figo at Real Madrid
Seasons: 2000-2005 (5)
Number of La Liga titles – 2 (2000/01, 2002/03)
Total number of trophies – 7
#2 Michael Laudrup
Laudrup is one of the most talented players to have ever played. The elegant Dane has the unique achievement of being on the right side of a 5-0 scoreline for both Barcelona and Real Madrid in successive seasons.
A quick, intelligent and talented midfielder, Laudrup was known for his pace on the ball. He is regarded as one of the most effective and versatile attacking midfielders, as well as one of the most skilful and elegant players in the history of the game. Although primarily an offensive playmaker, he was capable of playing in several positions in or behind the front-line, and was even deployed as a winger.
Laudrup was one of the very few players who was respected by both Barcelona and Real Madrid fans.
Laudrup won 4 La Liga titles with Barcelona and a single one with Real Madrid
Laudrup at Barcelona
Seasons: 1989-1994 (5)
Number of La Liga titles – 4 (1990/91, 1991/92, 1992/93, 1993/94 )
Total number of trophies – 9
Laudrup at Real Madrid
Seasons: 1994-1996 (2)
Number of La Liga titles – 1 (1994/95 )
Total number of trophies – 1
#3 Luis Enrique
Current Barcelona manager Luis Enrique enjoyed a pretty successful spell at Real Madrid for 5 seasons winning a La Liga title in the 1994/95 season. Enrique stayed till his contract ran out and moved on a free transfer to Real Madrid’s huge rivals Barcelona in 1996.
The Catalan club’s fans were initially hesitant about their new acquisition but Enrique won their hearts by staying 8 seasons at the Camp Nou and scoring many times in the El Clasico against Real Madrid. Although the Spaniard spent 5 seasons at Real Madrid, he made a controversial statement saying: " I rarely felt appreciated by the Real Madrid supporters and didn't have good memories there."
Enrique is now the Barcelona manager and he will be hoping to cause more pain to his former club by outwitting them in the Clasico. The Spaniard won 2 La Liga titles with Barcelona.
Luis Enrique at Real Madrid
Seasons: 1991-1996 (5)
Number of La Liga titles – 1 (1994/95 )
Total number of trophies – 3
Luis Enrique at Barcelona
Seasons: 1996-2004 (8)
Number of La Liga titles – 2 (1997/98, 1998/99 )
Total number of trophies – 7
#4 Bernd Schuster
Former Real Madrid manager Bernd Schuster has won the La Liga for both Barcelona and Real Madrid. The German was an integral part of the Barcelona side which played in the 1980s spending eight seasons at the Catalan club. He then moved to Real Madrid where he spent 2 seasons at the Bernabeu.
Playing as a midfielder primarily, Schuster used to pop up with important goals and used to be an important presence at the centre of the park. Although Schuster never enjoyed a strong relationship with managers, his performances ensured that he played a vital part.
Although he spent 8 seasons at Barcelona, Schuster won only one La Liga title with the Catalan giants. His 2 seasons at Real Madrid bought him instant success as the German won 2 League titles in 2 seasons.
Schuster also won a La Liga title with Real Madrid as their manager.
Bernd Schuster at Barcelona
Seasons: 1980-1988 (8)
Number of La Liga titles – 1 (1984/85 )
Total number of trophies – 8
Bernd Schuster at Real Madrid
Seasons: 1988-1990 (2)
Number of La Liga titles – 2 (1988/89, 1989/90 )
Total number of trophies – 4
#5 Albert Celades
Barcelona youth product Albert Celades is one of the elite few players to have won the La Liga with both Barcelona and Real Madrid. Celades played as a defensive midfielder and he has played for some of the biggest teams in Spain having represented Barcelona, Real Madrid, Celta and Zaragosa.
In 1997-98 Celades played in 36 matches, mostly as a sweeper as the Louis van Gaal-led team conquered the national title after a three-year drought. He also started both legs of the 1997 UEFA Super Cup , helping Barça to a 3–1 aggregate victory over Borussia Dortmund, but appeared less significantly in the following season, with Barcelona renewing its domestic supremacy.
Celades later moved to Real Madrid where he was used sparingly, but he still managed to win 2 La Liga titles and a Champions League title during his 5 year stay at Real Madrid.
Albert Celades at Barcelona
Seasons: 1995-1999 (4)
Number of La Liga titles – 2 (1997/98, 1998/99 )
Total number of trophies – 8
Albert Celades at Real Madrid
Seasons: 2000-2005 (5)
Number of La Liga titles – 2 (2000/01, 2002/03 )
Total number of trophies – 6
