FC Barcelona are set to host Atlético de Madrid on Saturday in what will be one of the most exciting games of the season.
For Antoine Griezmann and Clement Lenglet, it’ll be an extra special game given that they have played for both teams during their careers. But, they’re not the only ones, as several other LALIGA EA SPORTS stars have made the trip from Barcelona to Madrid and vice versa over the years.
Here is a look at 10 footballers who have played for both the LALIGA EA SPORTS giants during their careers.
Antoine Griezmann
After taking his first footballing steps in Spain at Real Sociedad, Griezmann moved to Atleti in 2014 to feature under Diego Simeone. Having shined both in Spain and Europe, the France international attracted interest from Barça, who signed him in 2019.
He stayed at the Blaugrana for a couple of years, before re-joining Atlético de Madrid on a one-year loan deal, one which became permanent. Since then, he has gone on to become the all-time top scorer for the capital city club, overtaking Luis Aragonés.
Clement Lenglet
In this weekend’s game, one of the Atlético de Madrid players will actually be playing against his parent club, since Clément Lenglet is currently at Atleti on loan from the Catalan club. The French centre-back joined FC Barcelona in 2018 from Sevilla FC and became an important player at the Camp Nou for several seasons. Eventually, he lost his place in the starting line-up and went on loans to Tottenham and Aston Villa, before signing with Los Colchoneros for the 2024/25 campaign.
João Félix
Another player who has represented both clubs in recent times is João Félix. He moved from Benfica to Atlético de Madrid to become Los Colchoneros’ most expensive transfer ever in 2019. The Portuguese helped Atleti to win the 2020/21 LALIGA EA SPORTS championship, before he moved on loan to Chelsea and then on loan to FC Barcelona for the 2023/24 season. He scored in both games between these clubs last season, but has since moved on to rejoin Chelsea.
Luis Suárez
The Uruguayan star moved to Spain to join FC Barcelona in 2014. After winning four LALIGA EA SPORTS trophies and one Champions League title with the Blaugrana, he was persuaded to move to the Spanish capital by Simeone. In his debut season for Los Rojiblancos, Suárez scored 21 goals to lead them all the way to the league championship.
Sergio Agüero
Agüero moved to Europe to join Atleti back in 2006 and helped them win the Europa League trophy in 2010. He departed to England one year later and became a Manchester City legend, eventually leaving as the club’s record goalscorer. He returned to LALIGA EA SPORTS to join FC Barcelona in 2021, but his spell at the Blaugrana was short-lived, as he was forced to retire due to health issues.
David Villa
The Real Sporting academy graduate joined FC Barcelona from Valencia CF in 2010, just after winning the World Cup with Spain. He celebrated two league titles and the Champions League trophy in Catalonia and moved to Atlético de Madrid in 2013 to lead Simeone’s side to their first league title since 1996 and all the way to their first Champions League final in the modern era.
Arda Turan
A member of Atleti’s squad that won the league title in 2013/14, Turan plied his trade at the Madrid-based club for four seasons before joining FC Barcelona. There, he added another league title to his collection before moving back to his native Turkey.
Luis GarcÃa
Luis GarcÃa kicked off his footballing career at Barça’s famous academy, La Masia. After a one-year spell at Atlético de Madrid in 2002/03, he returned to the Blaugrana, where he spent another season. Then, he joined Liverpool, with whom he won the Champions League title in Istanbul, before making an Atleti comeback to feature for Los Rojiblancos between 2007 and 2009.
Bernd Schuster
One of the few players to have featured for Real Madrid, FC Barcelona and Atleti, Schuster moved to Spain to initially sign for Barça in 1980. After winning a league title and a European Cup Winners' Cup trophy with the Blaugrana, he joined fierce rivals Real Madrid, where he stayed for two seasons and won two LALIGA EA SPORTS titles. In 1990, Schuster signed for Atleti, with whom he celebrated back-to-back Copa del Rey trophies between 1990 and 1992.
Marcos Alonso
Marcos Alonso was the father of the current RC Celta defender of the same name. During his playing career, he joined Atleti in 1979 and left to Barça three years later. Alonso later returned to Los Rojiblancos in 1987, after winning a league title with the Blaugrana in 1984/85.