Played for both: Five European stars that crossed El Clasico divide

After starring in Johan Cruyff’s ‘dream team’ to win four successive La Liga titles, Laudrup looked set to fall foul of the three-foreigner rule and be rotated. A controversial switch to the Spanish capital followed, where Laudrup lifted his fifth La Liga trophy.

Laudrup has since commented, saying: “People say I wanted to go to Real Madrid just to get revenge. I say revenge from what? I’ve had a perfect time…I went to Madrid because they were so hungry to win.”

Robert Prosinecki
Crafty former Croatia playmaker Prosinecki may be more familiar to fans of British football after his fabulous performances for Portsmouth, where he remains a cult hero.

West German-born Prosinecki’s promise did, however, cause Real to fork out a substantial fee for his services back in 1991, but injuries stalled his progress.

Probably best remembered at the Bernabeu for converting his cracking El Clasico free kick, Prosinecki later set up camp at the Catalan club for just one season, making 19 La Liga appearances.

Watch Prosinecki’s scorching El Clasico strike here:

Gheorghe Hagi
Nicknamed ‘Regele’ in homeland Romania, visionary attacking midfield talent Hagi earned moves to Real and Barca after impressive World Cups in 1990 and 1994 respectively, with a stint at Italian club Brescia in between.

Hagi, later a hero for Turkish side Galatasaray after helping defeat Arsenal in the 1999/00 UEFA Cup Final (and enjoying an early bath for a punch on Tony Adams), returned to haunt Real by beating them in the European Super Cup.

Luis Figo
Portugal legend Figo has certainly attracted the most hostile criticism for crossing El Clasico’s divide, and spent five seasons with Barca and Los Blancos each, winning La Liga with both.

After Figo became a hero, and even an icon, of proudly independent Nou Camp fans, Real triggered a then world record release-clause to bring the wing wizard to the Bernabeu, in what was seen as the ultimate act of betrayal.

Fearless Figo was subjected to much vitriol on his subsequent El Clasico returns, including the infamous pig head incident, with one match even suspended for 20 minutes to defuse the atmosphere.

Check out that famously fierce Nou Camp reception here: