Players who have represented both Boca Juniors and River Plate
An eternal rivalry in our beautiful game, Boca Juniors and River Plate are two iconic football clubs hailing from the Argentinean capital, Buenos Aires.
Both these teams feature in the "Superclasico", a term derived in Argentina but was later adapted as "Clasico" in various countries, including Spain and Mexico.
In April 2004, English newspaper put the Superclasico at the top of their list of "50 sporting things you must do before you die", stating that "Derby day in Buenos Aires makes the Old Firm game look like a primary school kick-about."
We're sure you might have seen multiple videos on social media showcasing just how intense things get between these clubs' two sets of fans.
Imagine being part of the most ferocious derby in world football as a player and still having the gall to play for both teams in such a hostile environment!
There are over 100 players who have gone on and done just that!
Who are some of those notable names? Let's take a look!
Getty ImagesOscar Ruggeri
A 1986 World Cup winner, Oscar Ruggeri graduated from Boca Juniors' academy and made 147 senior appearances for the club between 1980 and 1985.
The centre-back won the 1981 league title with Boca.
In 1985, Ruggeri joined River Plate, where he won the Copa Libertadores, the Intercontinental Cup and another league title in 1986.
Two years later, in 1988, he left for Europe, where he played for Real Madrid and won the 1989-90 league title.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesGabriel Batistuta
One of Argentina's greatest players, it is only fair that Gabriel Batistuta played for both these rival clubs.
Batistuta joined River Plate from Newell's Old Boys in 1989 and played for them for one season, scoring four goals in 21 games.
He left them to join rivals Boca Juniors in 1990 where he scored 13 goals in 34 games.
Batistuta left Boca after one season, joining Fiorentina in 1991 and achieving legendary status at the Italian club, scoring 167 goals in 269 games.
Sitio Oficial Boca JuniorsClaudio Caniggia
One of Argentina's key players in their run to the 1990 World Cup final, Claudio Caniggia started his club career with River Plate in 1985.
The forward scored eight goals in 53 appearances over three seasons with River. He left the club in 1988 and played for Hellas Verona, Atalanta and Roma in Italy and Benfica in Portugal, before returning to Argentina, this time with Boca Juniors in 1995.
At Boca, Caniggia stayed for three years, scoring 22 goals in 58 matches.
SocialHugo Gatti
One of the greatest goalkeepers in Boca Juniors' history, Hugo Gatti featured for River Plate early in his career.
Gatti joined River from Atlanta in 1964 and stayed with them for four years before joining Gimnasia La Plata in 1969. In 1974, he joined Union Santa Fe.
Boca Juniors did not miss on the chance to sign the quality shot-stopper in 1976. Gatti made 381 appearances for Boca.
In his career, Gatti set a record of featuring in 765 league and 52 international games, thus totalling 817 games played. He is the player with the most appearances in the Argentine league's history.