10 Athletes Who Betrayed Fans By Joining Their Team's Rival

Before Cristiano Ronaldo came along, Luís Figo was widely regarded as the greatest Portuguese player since Eusebio. Figo started his professional career with Sporting CP, and made it big in 1995 when he joined with Barcelona on a loan. Figo was brilliant with the club, appearing in 172 games and scoring 30 goals while being beloved by fans.

Barcelona's biggest rival, Real Madrid, wanted Figo for their own after five years of having to play against him. In 2000, Real Madrid pulled the trigger on a massive move, spending £37.4 million to acquire Figo, which set the record for a transfer at the time. Barcelona fans were irate with the transaction, and made their displeasure known when he returned for his first match in Barcelona.

Figo was treated to banners that called him a traitor or Judas, among other insults. Fans were also throwing items onto the field to distract him, with one famously hurling a pig's head onto the pitch. Things were so heated that Figo wasn't able to take a corner kick out of fear for his own safety.

It wasn't just that Figo decided to join Real Madrid, but at one point he said he wasn't going anywhere. Figo's still hated by Barca supporters to this day after winning multiple titles with Real Madrid, and you'll have trouble finding any Blaugrana fan willing to forgive him.