Cucurella joins list of players to cross the El Clasico divide

The rivalry behind El Classico is so intense that it’s extremely rare for any player to cross the divide between the two clubs.

Yet, some players do and Marc Cucurella will become the latest player to represent one of these two teams after having previously spent time at the rival club.

The left-back joined Real Madrid this past summer, after an excellent World Cup in which he helped Spain to become world champions. Cucurella signed with Los Blancos even though he has a past with FC Barcelona. Despite making just one first-team appearance, in a 2017/18 Copa del Rey match against Real Murcia, Cucurella came through FC Barcelona’s academy after joining the club in 2012, at the age of 14. He spent 2018/19 on loan at SD Eibar, who exercised a purchase option before Barça bought him back weeks later. He then spent 2019/20 on loan at Getafe CF, who made the move permanent in June 2020.

“I’m very grateful to FC Barcelona’s academy, but everything in life comes in stages, and I believed this was the step I had to take,” he said after completing his move to Real Madrid in the summer. Now, at the Spotify Camp Nou on Sunday, he’ll quickly learn what the supporters of the Catalan club think of his latest career move.

Perhaps the most notorious crossing of the El Classico divide is that of Luis Figo, who became the world’s most expensive player when he signed for Real Madrid from FC Barcelona in 2000. To the great anger of Barça fans, Figo made the move at the peak of his powers, winning the Ballon d’Or shortly after joining their arch-rivals.

The Portuguese star was hugely influential for both teams, making over 150 appearances and winning two league titles for each side. Figo eventually left Real Madrid in 2005, having cemented himself as one of the greatest ever foreign players to grace LALIGA.

Ronaldo Nazário is an interesting case. Perhaps it is down to his sheer talent that he is held in high regard by both sets of fans. Il Fenomeno joined FC Barcelona for the 1996/97 campaign from PSV and, despite only staying for one season, Ronaldo was imperious, scoring 47 goals in 49 games en route to helping FC Barcelona win the UEFA Cup Winners Cup, Copa del Rey and Spanish Super Cup. Due to issues in his contract, Inter Milan met his release clause and, to much sadness in Catalonia, he departed shortly after. Five years later, Ronaldo joined Real Madrid and, despite struggling with injuries, he achieved much success at Real Madrid, winning the Ballon d’Or, LALIGA EA SPORTS title, Intercontinental Cup, Spanish Super Cup and registering 83 goals in 127 league appearances.

Looking further back, there’s the case of Michael Laudrup. He was a key member of Johan Cruyff’s Dream Team at FC Barcelona and, under Cruyff’s leadership, Laudrup won nine trophies, including four successive league titles between 1991 and 1994 and the European Cup in 1992. In a controversial move, Laudrup decided to join Real Madrid in the summer of 1994. His decision was immediately vindicated, with the club going on to win the next LALIGA EA SPORTS title, making Laudrup the only player ever to win the Spanish league five times in a row playing for two different clubs.

Luis Enrique is another man to have crossed the divide. He joined Real Madrid from Real Sporting in 1991, spending five years in the capital and notably scoring in their 5-0 win over FC Barcelona in January 1995.

Stating that he didn’t feel appreciated, Luis Enrique departed in 1996 for the Catalan giants when his contract came to an end. Although treated with caution at first, he became a legend for his new club, staying eight years, becoming club captain and scoring 73 goals in 207 league appearances. He retired in 2004 at the age of 34 and went on to manage FC Barcelona to LALIGA EA SPORTS and Champions League glory.

Bernd Schuster was an FC Barcelona stalwart who made 170 appearances for the club across eight years of service. The German was a precocious talent and quickly became a fan favourite, finishing runner-up in the 1980 Ballon d’Or and third in 1981 and 1985. His move to Real Madrid in 1988 was highly controversial and came at a time when Real Madrid were starting to regain control of LALIGA EA SPORTS. He stayed at Los Blancos for two years, scoring 13 goals in 61 league appearances. Schuster later managed Real Madrid in 2007 and steered them to the 2007/08 LALIGA EA SPORTS title.

Other famous players who have crossed the divide include Samuel Eto’o, Javier Saviola, Albert Celades, Julen Lopetegui, Luis Milla and Ricardo Zamora. Now, Marc Cucurella adds his name to this unique list.