Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Real Madrid, Barcelona, El Clasico, La Liga
Luke Davies
Just one Real Madrid player has received a standing ovation from Barcelona supporters in El Clásico, but his life and football career were ultimately cut short in a tragic incident.
Real Madrid and Barcelona are arguably the two most prestigious clubs in world football, and in some ways, like Liverpool and Manchester United in England, are more similar than they’d like to admit.
But the La Liga giants’ rivalry runs deeper than just a 90-minute football match.
The fixture lends itself to political connotations, with both clubs often associated with rival political parties.
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For many, Barcelona are a symbol of Catalan nationalism, while Real Madrid are commonly linked with Spanish nationalism, with Spain’s former dictator, Francisco Franco, even ordering the execution of former Barca club president Josep Sunol in 1936, according to the club’s website.
Since Franco’s death in November 1975, Spain has changed hugely and transitioned to a democracy, but the scars from his 36-year rule remain.
Naturally, Barca and Real would have a rivalry as they are the two most supported and successful clubs in Spain.
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But every so often, fans simply appreciate a footballer’s performance and momentarily put their differences aside.
And this was the case when Englishman Laurie Cunningham received a standing ovation from Barcelona fans at the Camp Nou in February 1980.
Cunningham, the first Englishman and second black player to play for Los Blancos when he joined from West Bromwich Albion in 1979, put in a dazzling display as Real beat Barca 2-0 in 1980, with opposing defender Migueli later admitting that he “drove us [Barcelona] crazy” with his pace and ability on the ball.
The win helped Madrid to the La Liga title that season, with Cunningham receiving praise from all angles.
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But in the following campaign, after a foot injury, he was loaned to Man United and then Sporting Gijon, and he never regained his form in the Spanish capital.
Spells at Marseille, Leicester City, Rayo Vallecano, Charleroi and Wimbledon followed before Cunningham returned to Rayo once more and helped them gain promotion to La Liga in 1989.
But just three months later, he was tragically killed at just 33 years of age while driving his car near Madrid.
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As reported by BBC News, while trying to accelerate past a slower car, he failed to see another vehicle stopped at roadside and, while not wearing his seatbelt, lost control.
After hitting a lamppost, Cunningham’s car flipped several times. Despite being taken to the hospital, he died shortly after.
The passenger, Mark Latty, survived the crash.
In all, Cunningham played 66 games for Real, scoring 20 goals, helping the side to one La Liga and two Copa del Rey trophies.
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The winger paved the way for his counterparts, Michael Owen and David Beckham, who joined Real in the early 2000s, as well as the current crop of English talent – Jude Bellingham and Trent Alexander-Arnold - at the club.