Luis Enrique again. Again Real Madrid. Possibly, the Asturian is the most hated player for the Madrid fans -together with Pep Guardiola– Since he decided to change the capital of Space For the city. In 1996, after five seasons touring the left wing of the Santiago Bernabéusigned for the Barcelona, where he became one of the great referents of the Barca club and where he did not hesitate to publicly show his animosity towards his former team.
In fact, he left a phrase for posterity at a press conference from that year that clearly reflected his distancing with the Real Madrid. “I see myself on the chromos with the Real Madrid shirt and I do not recognize,” he said laughing while he wore the Barça pole.
With the passage of time, that rejection of the white entity has been moderated, to the point of declaring that it has nothing against the merengue club, although culé has always been confessed.
Now, the paths of Luis Enrique and the Real Madrid They cross again in the semifinals of the Club World Cup that is celebrated in the United States. New Jersey Metlife Stadium will witness the ninth confrontation between them. To date, the balance slightly favors the Asturian coach: four wins, three losses and a draw.
A betrayal for history
Luis Enrique played 241 official matches with the Real Madrid Between 1991 and 1996. Fort character, he enjoyed the affection of much of Madridism, a love that became an open rejection when, at the end of his contract, he decided to leave for the eternal rival. He was the author of an unforgettable goal in 5-0 to Barça in January 1995, but a year later he was signed by Johan Cruyff. However, the Dutch coach never came to train him, since he was ceased by President Núñez just a month before the player landed at Camp Nou.
Hate automatically changed sidewalk. That indomitable character that has always characterized Luis Enrique He quickly won the heart of Barcelona's fans, at the same time as he fed the rejection of a Madridism that, even today, has it among his most denied figures.
The controversy for his “betrayal” exploded in the middle of the season. On March 21, 1996 he was surprised in Barcelona passing a medical examination. He was still had three months of contract with him Real Madridand the rumors that pointed to the interest of the Barca team were confirmed that same day. Just when the white coach, Arsenio Iglesiashe had given rest to the template. Until then, his relationship with the club had not reduced his public image among the fans, but after that episode, his name was cursed in the white environment.
Between 1996 and his withdrawal in 2004, Luis Enrique played 333 official matches with the Barcelona. From Bobby Robson until Frank Rijkaardall the coaches who passed through the bench of the Camp Nou during those agitated eight years considered him a key soccer player. And he, on the other hand, has never doubted it: playing at Barça was, in his own words, “the best” of his career.
