Players to have represented Barcelona and Athletic Club | OneFootball

From the 1910s to recent seasons, several players have represented both Barcelona and Athletic. As reported by as.com, their journeys span historic Copa finals and the Dream Team era.

José Landazabal 'Lakatos' switched between the clubs around 1918. He scored in Barcelona's 1919 Copa final, a 2-5 defeat to Arenas de Getxo, missed the 1920 win over Athletic, then returned to Les Corts in 1923.

Félix Sesúmaga lifted the 1920 Copa with Barcelona by beating Athletic 0-2, then the 1922 crown 5-1 over Real Unión, though he only played in the first. He joined Athletic that year and won the 1923 final at Les Corts against Europa, 1-0.

Others to cross the divide include Manuel Vidal, Luis Zabala, Gerardo Bilbao, Emilio Aldecoa, Jaime Escudero, Jesús Garay, Beitia and Zabalza.

Lezama graduate José Ramón Alexanko became a Barcelona captain and lifted the European Cup in 1992. Andoni Zubizarreta, Julio Salinas and Jon Andoni Goikoetxea were part of Johan Cruyff's Dream Team.

Ernesto Valverde played for Barcelona from 1988 to 1990 before a steady spell at Athletic, later managing both clubs. Eskurza had one season at Barcelona in 1994-95 after progressing at Athletic.

José Mari stepped up to Barcelona's first team in 1994-95, then found continuity at Athletic. Santi Ezquerro starred for Athletic from 1998 to 2005, then spent three seasons at Barcelona. Íñigo Martínez joined Barcelona in 2023 and left in 2025 after a strong final year.

Source: as.com

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”