Here is look at the current status of the players who were on the bench from that iconic Real Madrid vs. Barcelona 2017 ‘El Clasico’

It’s been over seven years since ‘that’ El Clasico. Lionel Messi unleashed a dagger into the hearts of Real Madrid fans at the Santiago Bernabeu with a late, late winner, before giving out an iconic pose with his shirt off. Although it did little to alter Barcelona‘s chances of winning the LaLiga title that year, the game is still remembered by many as one of the best El Clasicos ever.

After Real Madrid took the lead through Casemiro in the 28th minute, Messi waded through a crowded Real Madrid defense to score a sensational goal, five minutes later. The heated match stayed 1-1 until Ivan Rakitic launched a left-footed thunderbolt from outside the box in the 73rd minute. Just when it looked like things couldn’t get worse for the Los Blancos, Sergio Ramos was sent off in the 77th minute.

However, then-manager Zinedine Zidane didn’t back down, as his team still continued attacking. And his tactics paid off just 8 minutes later after substitute James Rodriguez equalized from a brilliant cross. Just when it looked like it would end all square, Messi came up with his magic in the 92nd minute.

However, in this article, we will take a look at the Barcelona bench from that night against Real Madrid, and where those players are now.

Jasper Cillessen

Jasper Cillessen was a backup keeper at Barcelona for 3 years. He made just 5 league appearances for them. Leaving Barcelona in 2019, Cillessen joined Valencia and made over 50 appearances for them in LaLiga for 3 years. Cillessen then joined NEC in Eredivisie. After just two years there, Cillessen returned to LaLiga, and is now the main goalkeeper for UD Las Palmas.

Javier Mascherano

Javier Mascherano is one of the most underrated defenders in the world. After 8 years at Barcelona, Mascherano left for Hebei China Fortune. After a year there, Mascherano joined Argentine club Estudiantes, and hung up his boots in 2020. He is currently the head coach of Inter Miami.

Lucas Digne

Lucas Digne was a decent left-back backup at Barcelona. After 2 years at the club, Digne joined Everton in 2018, where he was a regular starter, making over 110 league appearances. He now plays for Aston Villa.

Andre Gomes

Andre Gomes was another valuable backup star at Barcelona. Having joined them in 2016, the Portuguese left for Everton on loan in 2018. After a year there, he joined them on a permanent transfer in 2019. He was a part of the club for five years, a stay marred by brutal injuries. In 2024, Gomes joined Ligue 1 club Lille.

Carles Alena

Carles Alena was touted to make it big. However, his stock never rose after his stay at Barcelona (although he is getting regular game time in LaLiga now). Having come through the ranks of Barcelona youth academy, Alena turned pro in 2016, but was also a part of Barcelona B during the same time. He left the club in 2021, after a couple of loan spells to other LaLiga clubs, viz. Betis and Getafe. In 2021, he joined Getafe on a permanent transfer, and has been quite a regular starter for them .

Arda Turan

Arda Turan could never replicate his stunning career arc at Atletico Madrid, during his stay at Barcelona. Having joined them in 2015, he made sporadic appearances for the club. After 3 years, he joined Istanbul Basaksehir on loan, and was there at the Turkish club for 2 years. He hung up his boots after 2 years at Galatasaray from 2020 to 2022.

Denis Suarez

Denis Suarez joined Barcelona in 2016. He made a decent 46 appearances in the league for them. And during his stay there, he went on loan to Arsenal for 6 months. Once his tenure at the North London club ended, he joined Celta Vigo in 2019. After four years at Celta, Suarez joined Villarreal in 2023, where he currently plays.

Here is everything you should know about the 2 stars who were signed by Unai Emery on loan, during his time at Arsenal.

Unai Emery’s first year at Arsenal began quite brightly. After a rather tough start, the team quickly found its rhythm and went on a long unbeaten run, in fact, a staggering one. After an August 2018 loss to Chelsea, they were not breached in 22 games, until December.

A Bernd Leno mistake in the dying minutes of the game, against least expected Southampton saw them snap their 4-month long run. While they were stuck in a rut for a short while after that, they recovered quite well, and were on pole position to finish in the top 4, and also win the UEFA Europa League 2018/19. Unfortunately a torrid May 2018, saw them lose out on both, turning a promising season to a rather lackluster one.

The next season, Emery soon lost the support of the Gooners, and was sacked in November 2019. During his time at the North London club, Emery made 12 major signings, of which 2 of them were on loan.

Here is a look at the 2 Unai Emery signings at Arsenal, who joined the club on loan.

Denis Suarez

One of the worst loan signings in Arsenal’s recent history. The Spaniard had the Unai Emery-connection during their time at Sevilla back in 2014/15. Under Emery, Suarez made 31 league appearances for Sevilla on loan.

Back to Arsenal, Suarez was signed towards the very end of the 2018 Winter Transfer Window. In his short loan spell, Suarez made just 6 appearances for Arsenal, and 4 were in the English Premier League. All four of Suarez’s appearances in the EPL were as a substitute, and it totaled just 67 minutes.

The Spaniard, looking back (in 2020) at his loan spell for Arsenal, in an interview with The Athletic, stated that he was in pain due to several severe injuries during his short stay at the North London club. Right after his first appearance as a sub against Manchester City, Suarez injured his groin, resulting in intolerable pain. He also suffered from bouts of pelvic and muscle injuries.

Suarez also stated that he was asked to play in the position of a winger, while he was primarily a midfielder. He returned to Barcelona the same year, and was sold to Celta Vigo where he found his footing. Suarez made close to 100 league appearances for them, before moving to Villarreal in 2023. He is once again on the sidelines (for a year) due to injury.

Dani Ceballos

Right after Denis Suarez’s departure came Dani Ceballos. A Spanish midfielder playing a very similar role to Suarez but from their rival club Real Madrid. Some feared that Ceballos might end up like Suarez, but it was not so. To this day, Ceballos remains one of Arsenal’s underrated loan signings.

Ceballos made his debut for Arsenal against Burnley in August 2019. During his time at the North London club, he scored two goals, one coming in the UEFA Europa League, and the other, a massive one, against Sheffield United in the quarter-finals of Arsenal’s successful FA Cup winning campaign. It was a winner, in the dying minutes of the game.

After a year-long loan spell, Ceballos’ love for then-new manager Mikel Arteta saw him extend his stay at Arsenal. He finally left the club at the end of the 2020/21 season, and has been at Real Madrid ever since.

Andres Iniesta last La Liga match XI: All about the Spanish midfield maestro and the lineup of Barcelona during his last ever match.

Andres Iniesta has finally called time in his beyond-illustrious career. The Barcelona legend announced his retirement at the age of 40, in a very emotional interview, that had athletes/organizations and a boatload of other noteworthy entities wishing the Spanish magician the best for the future ahead.

Having left Barcelona in 2018, Iniesta joined Japanese side Vissel Kobe in a five-year deal. After an influential five years at the club, Iniesta joined UAE club Emirates in 2023, on a one-year contract. Although his contribution was significant, the club’s performance was sub-par and were relegated to Division 1. Finally, on the 7th of October, Iniesta hung up his boots.

Going back to his Barcelona days, Iniesta made his final appearance for The Blaugrana back on the 20th of May, 2018, against Real Sociedad. He was on the pitch for 81 minutes, before coming off for Paco Alcacer.

Here is a look at the last appearance Andres Iniesta made for Barcelona and how and where their XI are now:

GK – Marc-Andre ter Stegen

The German goalkeeping great was at the peak of his powers back in 2018. He is still Barcelona’s main goalkeeper, however is now out for months following a knee injury in the ongoing 2024-25 season.

RB – Nelson Semedo

Nelson Semedo never really got going at Barcelona. The Portuguese RB spent three seasons at the Spanish club, getting 82 league starts. Although he did produce moments of greatness, it was never really consistent. Semedo joined EPL club Wolverhampton Wanderers, where he’s been a part of them since then, and has been a regular starter as well.

CB – Gerard Pique

Gerard Pique was an important part of Barcelona’s defense back then, and remained one until 2022 before his retirement. Pique is still involved in football, and has been instrumental in the formation of Kings League – a seven-a-side football league.

CB – Yerry Mina

Yerry Mina hardly made appearances at Barcelona. He left the club in no more than 6 months after joining them in January 2018. The Colombian joined Everton on a five-year deal, and stayed with them until 2023, before joining Fiorentina. After a year with the Italian club, he joined Sardinia-based Italian club Cagliari in 2024.

LB – Jordi Alba

The ever-dependable Jordi Alba was at the peak of his powers in 2018. Having joined the club in 2012, Alba left the Spanish giants only in 2023. He joined MLS club Inter Miami, where he currently plays.

CDM – Sergio Busquets

Another star with a career path similar to Alba. Having risen through the youth ranks in Barcelona, Busquets left the club in 2023 and joined MLS club Inter Miami like the Spanish left-back.

CM – Ivan Rakitic

One of the most underrated modern-day midfielders, Ivan Rakitic joined Barcelona in 2014 and was a part of the club until 2020, starting 200 games in La Liga. He joined Sevilla in 2020, before leaving to Al-Shabab in 2024 in the winter transfer window. He now plays for Hajduk Split.

RW – Ousmane Dembele

Ousmane Dembele was in his first year at Barcelona following his big-money move from Borussia Dortmund. He went on to play for the Catalonian club until 2023. A rather underwhelming stay. He left for PSG in 2023, and has been quite impressive for the French club so far.

ST – Luis Suarez

Another Barcelona star who currently plays for Inter Miami. The Uruguayan was a part of the Spanish club until 2020, before moving to new-age rivals Atletico Madrid. He then left to Uruguayan club Nacional in 2022 before joining Brazilian side Gremio in 2023. He moved to Inter Miami in 2024.

LW – Philippe Coutinho

The Brazilian attacker was in his early months at Barcelona. In fact, it was the beginning of the end of his magic. Following his move from Liverpool in 2018, Coutinho has been a mere shadow of himself. Multiple loan spells followed during his stay at Barcelona, viz. Bayern Munich, Aston Villa. He finally moved to Aston Villa in 2022, and is once again out on loan now, to Vasco da Gama.