Three well-known players you did not play for Barcelona and Alaves

Three well-known players you did not play for Barcelona and Alaves Barcelona and Deportivo Alaves meet in La Liga with very different ambitions , but their histories share an interesting connection through several players who have represented both clubs.  While Barcelona’s identity is closely associated with its illustrious history and La Masia academy, Alaves have built their reputation through memorable challenges against Spanish football’s biggest sides. The connection between the clubs stretches across generations, and Barcelona’s own historical records list numerous footballers who have worn both shirts, including former internationals, academy graduates and players who made their mark at Mendizorroza.  Three particularly recognisable names are Jordi Cruyff, Bojan Krkic and Denis Suárez. Jordi Cruyff played a memorable role in Alaves history Jordi Cruyff is arguably the most intriguing name on the list because of his connection to both clubs and one of Alaves’ greatest European achievements.  Jordi Cruyff played for Alaves for three seasons. (Picture Credit: Gary M Prior/Allsport) The son of Barcelona icon Johan Cruyff, he developed through the Catalan club’s youth system before making his first-team breakthrough during the 1990s. The attacking midfielder represented Barcelona between 1993 and 1996, making 54 appearances and scoring 11 goals.  After spells with Manchester United and a loan with Celta Vigo, he joined Alaves in 2000, remaining at Mendizorroza until 2003. His contribution to the Basque club’s memorable 2000/01 UEFA Cup campaign ensured his place in its history.  Alaves reached the final against Liverpool, producing one of the competition’s most dramatic matches.  Cruyff scored in the 89th minute to make it 4-4, although Liverpool eventually secured a 5-4 victory through a golden goal in extra time. Cruyff later returned to Barcelona in an executive capacity, serving as the club’s sporting director between 2021 and 2023. Bojan Krkic experienced two very different spells Bojan Krkic played at Alaves on a season-long loan. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images) Bojan Krkic was once regarded as one of the most exciting prospects to emerge from La Masia.  He broke into Barcelona’s senior side as a teenager in 2007 and spent four seasons with the first team before beginning a career that took him across several European leagues. His connection with Alaves came in the 2017/18 campaign, when he joined the Basque side on a season-long loan from Stoke City.  The move offered him an opportunity to regain regular playing time in Spanish football, although his involvement remained limited, making 13 La Liga appearances without scoring. Bojan eventually retired from professional football and returned to Barcelona in a different role.  He became the club’s football coordinator in 2023, with responsibility for monitoring young players at La Masia, a position that he continues to hold to date.  Denis Suarez brought Barcelona experience to Alaves Denis Suarez won two La Liga titles with Barcelona. (Photo by Ion Alcoba Beitia/Getty Images) Denis Suarez completes the trio , having experienced Barcelona’s first team before joining Alaves in August 2025.  The midfielder initially arrived at Barcelona in 2013, joining the club’s reserve side before developing through spells at Sevilla and Villarreal. Barcelona exercised their buy-back clause in 2016, bringing him back to Camp Nou for a second spell.  He subsequently made 71 appearances for the first team before leaving in 2019, having also spent time on loan at Arsenal. After further spells with Celta Vigo, Espanyol and Villarreal, Suarez moved to Alaves in 2025. In his first season, he made 32 appearances and this season, as of the date of writing, he has played nine La Liga matches.