Cesc Fabregas and Frank Lampard were far from the best of friends during their playing days.
The pair were sworn enemies whilst turning out for London rivals Arsenal and Chelsea – with the heated 2007 League Cup final between the two sides sparking an 11-year feud.
In fact, so strong was the tension between the two, that former Gunners star Fabregas has revealed that it took until after Lampard‘s retirement for them to bury the hatchet – in a Russian gym.
With both among the world’s best midfielders during their careers, they often found themselves at the heart of the battle during hot-tempered encounters between Arsenal and the Blues.
This at times caused tempers to flare between the two playmakers, as their teams went toe-to-toe for titles during a fiercely competitive era in English football.
On one occasion, an altercation broke out during the 2007 League Cup final, which Chelsea won 2-1, resulting in Lampard and Fabregas having to be separated.
And the former Spain international revealed that it was this incident that proved to be the beginning of their feud.
Speaking to The Telegraph in 2020, Fabregas recalled: “It’s completely true [that we fell out], we don’t have to hide anything, I think he will tell you the same thing.
“We have had many, many battles during the years and we kind of disliked each other on the football pitch because he wanted to play and win for Chelsea and I wanted to win for Arsenal.
“The League Cup final was kind of crazy. We were losing 2-1 and it was basically the last moment of the game and you feel a little frustrated.
“[John Obi] Mikel and Kolo Toure went into a tackle and both got sent off. Me and Frank had a moment there.
“I think maybe I was very young and very enthusiastic. I wanted to beat the world basically and sometimes I was overwhelmed by the situation and went over the top.”
And the ill-feeling between the pair continued after Fabregas joined Barcelona in 2011, with whom he suffered defeat in the Champions League semi-finals to Lampard and Chelsea in 2012.
Fabregas reflected on the reunion with his English adversary: “Even when I was with Barcelona, I remember in the Champions League clash we also had our moments.
“I love it, personally. Frank is a competitor and a winner, and he will tell you the same thing.”
Ironically, the current Como boss would go on to replace Lampard at Chelsea, signing just days after the Blues’ all-time record goalscorer announced his departure in 2014.
And while they were denied the chance at patching things up at Stamford Bridge, Fabregas revealed that the moment finally came at the 2018 World Cup, whilst working as pundits for the BBC.
He recalled: “We met each other at the World Cup in Russia working for the BBC and we went to the gym together.
“We were having lunch together and that was when he had just signed for Derby, and I was asking him questions about how he saw the situation and he was explaining his plans a little bit.”
And despite their many clashes, Fabregas admitted he had nothing but respect for Lampard, who lifted three Premier League titles and won the 2012 Champions League during his 13 years with the Blues.
The 2010 World Cup winner explained: “This is what football is about. I respect him so much for what he has done with Chelsea and for football in general.
“He was a fantastic player and a fantastic opponent to play against.
“Of course, I disliked him, because many times they beat us and it was difficult to play against him, but always with respect and admiration.”
