Five players who switched between rival clubs 💥 | OneFootball

Switching clubs is common. Committing to the local rival is explosive.

This Wednesday, Joan García joined FC Barcelona from Espanyol, reigniting the debate on these choices that divide. These five players also dared to cross the red line, signing directly with the next-door enemy. Result: boos, tension... and sometimes, glory.

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

Trained with the Greens, Gomis shook the nets for ASSE... before joining the sworn enemy, OL, directly. The welcome at Geoffroy-Guichard? Frosty. 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 for free to join the Gunners. The shock in North London was immediate: every return to White Hart Lane resonated with protests. Yet, he would leave with trophies.

3. William Gallas – Chelsea ➡️ Arsenal (2006)

In a tense exchange (Ashley Cole made the opposite journey), Gallas joined Arsenal. He would even become captain under the red and white jersey – a still-grating affront on the Stamford Bridge side.

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

He stayed in the same city but radically changed camps. Tevez switched to blue, provoking a famous poster "Welcome to Manchester". His goal against United, with celebration, remains etched in memory

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

Banned 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 nerazzurro side.

And you, what transfer between rivals has left the most mark on you?

This article was written with the help of AI

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

📸 PHILIPPE DESMAZES