Beyond the simple spectacle of a football game, Real Madrid and Atletico de Madrid’s intense rivalry is a phenomenon that has earned international recognition over the years and resonates throughout Spanish football.  Their meetings have evolved into much more than merely games between two of Spain’s most illustrious teams.

 Numerous players have worn the recognizable white Real Madrid jersey before defecting to Atletico, and vice versa, during the rivalry’s more than 100-year history.  Some of these players will face off in the eagerly awaited UEFA Champions League knockout stages, while many have become legends at their respective teams.

Unexpectedly, Santiago Bernabéu, Real Madrid’s longest-serving president, was an Atletico player as well.  He joined the red-and-white team for the 1920–1921 season, however he only played for the team once.

 Although Atletico supporters hold legendary player Luis Aragonés in high regard, he struggled to obtain playing time at Real Madrid during his 1958–1959 start to his career.  Due to the dearth of opportunities, he joined the opposing club and made history there.

 Many players, including Hugo Sánchez, Juanito, Bernd Schuster, Raúl González Blanco, Santiago Solari, Juanfran Torres, and Álvaro Morata, have played for both teams in the Madrid derby over the years.

Both teams’ current players have historical ties to their opponents.  One notable example is Thibaut Courtois, a Belgian goalkeeper who spent 2011–2014 on loan at Atletico Madrid from Chelsea.  In 2018, he made his way back to Madrid and joined Real Madrid, where he has been for more than five years.

 In a similar vein, Marcos Llorente joined Real Madrid’s junior system in 2008 and, following a successful loan at Alavés, played for the main team from 2017 to 2019.  Soon after, he moved to Atlético, a route Mario Hermoso also took.