Five players who switched between rival clubs 💥 | OneFootball

Changing clubs is commonplace. Joining the local rival is explosive.

This Wednesday, Joan García joined FC Barcelona from Espanyol, reigniting the debate on these divisive choices. These five players also dared to cross the red line by signing directly with the neighboring enemy. The result: boos, tensions... and sometimes, glory.

1. Bafétimbi Gomis – Saint-Étienne ➡️ Lyon (2009)

Trained with the Greens, Gomis shook the nets for ASSE... before joining their arch-enemy, OL. The reception at Geoffroy-Guichard? Icy. But in Lyon, he would become one of the offensive leaders of the Champions League era.

2. Sol Campbell – Tottenham ➡️ Arsenal (2001)

An icon at Tottenham, he left freely for the Gunners. The shock in North London was immediate: every return to White Hart Lane was met with protests. Yet, he would leave with trophies.

3. William Gallas – Chelsea ➡️ Arsenal (2006)

In a tense exchange (Ashley Cole went the other way), Gallas joined Arsenal. He even became captain in the red and white jersey—an affront still grating at Stamford Bridge.

4. Carlos Tevez – Manchester United ➡️ Manchester City (2009)

He stayed in the same city but radically changed sides. Tevez switched to blue, provoking with a famous “Welcome to Manchester” billboard. His goal against United, complete with celebration, remains etched in memory.

5. Andrea Pirlo – Inter Milan ➡️ AC Milan (2001)

Banished by Inter, Pirlo was picked up by Milan, where he became one of the best midfielders in the world, a two-time European champion. The kind of transfer regretted on the Nerazzurri side.

And you, which transfer between rivals impacted you the most?

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇫🇷 here.

📸 PHILIPPE DESMAZES