Barça hosts Atlético de Madrid this Sunday in one of the most attractives matches of Europe. But, how many players have worn both t-shirts? Had they been successful with both teams? Let’s find out!
Memphis Depay
The player who most recently took the air shuttle between both cities. TIn 2021, the Dutchman joined Barcelona, hoping to fill the gap left by Messi in the Blaugrana squad. However, he was unable to settle in and joined for Atlético de Madrid during the past winter transfer window. But due to a muscle injury, it does not seem like he will be able to play this weekend
Antoine Griezmann
The 2018 World Cup winner and 2022 finalist Antoine Griezmann arrived at the old Vicente Calderón back in 2014 from Real Sociedad. He quickly became a fan favorite in Madrid, and his move to Barça was highly debated. He was unable to adjust to the ‘culés’ and returned to Atlético Madrid in 2021.
Luis Suárez
‘El Pistolero’ was one of the closest friends of Messi and, along with Neymar, formed a terrible trio back in their days. But, back in 2020, his age and his big salary was a problem for Barça, and he was transferred cheaply to Atlético. After the 2021-2022 season, he returned to his original team, Nacional de Uruguay.
Arda Turan
One of the most talented players from Simeone’s first squad in Atlético, made the move to Barcelona in 2015. He stayed until early January 2018, after a spell in Barcelona in which he wasn’t as consistent as he would like to. He retired in 2022 and now is Eyüpsor’s head coach in Turkey.
David Villa
The best striker in Spanish history won everything for Barcelona, but due to a serious injury, he was sold to Atlético de Madrid for a pittance. He won the Spanish League for the very last time with the ‘Rojiblancos’ before traveling to Australia and the United States.
Simao
The Portuguese had a short spell at Barcelona in the first years of his career, in which he wasn’t able to make an impact in the team. He returned to Portugal after 69 games and four goals until being recalled by Atlético de Madrid in 2007. He departed the team after 167 matches and moved to Turkey.
Thiago Motta
Thiago Motta was a member of the first successful Barça team of the twenty-first century, rising through the ranks from La Masia to the first team. He won the Champions League with Barcelona in 2006, then a year later, he moved to Madrid. Injuries hampered his career at Atlético, and he transferred to Italy after only ten games. He is now coaching Bologna in Italy.
Demetrio Albertini
Albertini had little success in Spain. After being sacked by Ancelotti at Milan, he joined Atlético de Madrid, where he played 28 games in his lone season. He was signed by Rijkaard’s Barcelona in the winter transfermarket of the 2004/2005 season and retired.
Luis García
Another graduate of the notorious Masia, he joined Atlético de Madrid for the 2002/2003 season, scoring 10 goals in the club’s first season back in the top division. He returned to Barcelona the next season before moving on to Liverpool, where he remained until 2007. He returned to Atlético de Madrid for the 2007/2008 season.
Santi Ezquerro
Atlético de Madrid recruited him in 1996, and he won both the Spanish League and the Spanish Cup in his first season. He slipped on the blaugrana t-shirt nine years later, during periods with Mallorca and Athletic Club, despite only playing 37 games and scoring six goals.
Delfi Geli
He was a Masia’s graduate back in the 90s, and won the double with Atlético de Madrid in the 1995/1996 season. Nowadays he’s the president of Girona Fútbol Club.
Sergi Barjuán
Another La Masia native, he appeared in 403 FC Barcelona matches. After a decade as the starting left defender, his contract expired and he transferred to Atlético de Madrid, where he retired in 2005.
Pablo Alfaro
He crossed the Ebro to play for Barcelona for one season after a successful time at Real Zaragoza. A few years later, he joined Atlético de Madrid for one season.
Bernd Schuster
The German international has formerly played for FC Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Atlético de Madrid. He spent eight seasons with Barcelona before joining ‘Los Blancos’. He left Real Madrid, but not the city, in 1990, and spent three years with Atlético.
Eusebio Sacristán
Sacristán joined Atlético de Madrid in 1987, although he only lasted a year with the ‘Colchoneros’. The following year, he joined FC Barcelona, where he made history by winning four league titles and, most notably, the European Cup at Wembley Stadium.
Miquel Soler
His career took off at Espanyol, Barcelona’s eternal rival, but by 1988 he was already with the Blaugrana. He played with the ‘culés’ for four seasons, with one exception: the 1991-1992 season, which he spent on loan at Atlético de Madrid, where he won the Copa del Rey.
Julio Salinas
Julio Salinas drew the attention of FC Barcelona after two seasons and 31 goals for Atlético de Madrid. He won four La Liga titles, two Spanish Supercups, one Copa del Rey, and one European Cup while at Barcelona.
Marcos Alonso
In 1979, he joined Atlético de Madrid and stayed for three seasons. When he began to stand out and was called up to the Spanish national team, he was signed by Barcelona, where he played for five seasons and won all of his trophies. He returned to Atlético de Madrid for two seasons after his spell in Catalonia. His son currently plays for Barcelona.
Luis Carreras
Luis, another FC Barcelona academy product, spent two seasons with the Catalan club. His return lasted only for one season, following which he relocated to Mallorca. He joined Atlético de Madrid in the second division and helped them return to the top league before being transferred to Real Murcia.
Julio Alberto
A product of the Atlético de Madrid academy, he made his debut in the first division in 1977 under the legendary Luis Aragonés. He remained at the club until 1982, when he signed for Barcelona along with Marcos Alonso.
Miguel Reina
He began out slowly but quickly established himself as the starting goalkeeper, even winning the Zamora Trophy in 1972-73. At the end of the year, he joined Atlético de Madrid, where he won the Zamora Trophy for the second time in 1976/1977.
