My first El Clasico goal was obviously from a free-kick it was a turning point for the goalkeeper's career, as Van Gaal didn't pick him any more after that': Real Madrid legend reminisces on ending Barcelona star's time in Catalonia

This was my first goal in El Clasico against Barcelona it was obviously from a free-kick! I smashed the ball from 35 yards and Francesc Arnau couldn't stop it. A few years later, I remember hearing him saying that it became a turning point in his career after that goal, Louis van Gaal didn't play him any more. Unfortunately, Arnau has since passed away and is no longer with us. That was a really memorable game for all of us.

Five minutes into the match at the Bernabeu in February of the 1999/00 season, the Brazilian stepped up from a long way out to unleash a deadly strike. Real Madrid eventually won the game 3-0, while Arnau didn't feature again for the rest of the season, instead having to spend the rest of the campaign on the bench as Barcelona manager Louis van Gaal preferred Dutch goalkeeper Ruud Hesp thereafter.

Real Madrid and Barcelona share a rivalry so fierce in Spain that, if mistakes are made, it could spell the end of a player's career at either club. The late Francesc Arnau and former Barcelona goalkeeper had to learn that the hard way in 2000, after conceding a piledriver of a free-kick from Roberto Carlos.

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