Perez, the man behind the Galacticos initiative at the Bernabeu, has spent more than 200 million euros on new signings, with Manchester United’s Cristiano Ronaldo garnering the most attention. CR7 has become a legend for Los Blancos, but what about the seven players who preceded him?
Karim Benzema
Benzema’s excellence at Real Madrid is likely comparable to Ronaldo’s, although he won fewer Ballon d’Or awards.
Kaka
Kaka became the most expensive athlete in history when he joined Real Madrid for £56 million before Ronaldo broke the record a few weeks later. The former Brazil international and 2007 Ballon d’Or winner arrived with high expectations, but injuries prevented him from ever reaching the level of play he displayed at AC Milan. He ultimately lost his starting position to Mesut Ozil and returned to Milan for free in 2013.
Xabi Alonso
Despite desiring to remain at Liverpool, Alonso completed a £30 million transfer to Real Madrid, where he established himself as one of the world’s best midfielders. During his five years at the club, he became the greatest player at the Bernabeu and made over 200 appearances in all competitions. The former Spain international spent the last three years of his illustrious career with Bayern Munich.
Raul Albiol
Albiol has played an essential role in Manuel Pellegrini’s squad. The center-back also performed well during Jose Mourinho’s first season in charge. Still, he was relegated to the sideline after the club signed Raphael Varane in 2011 and Sergio Ramos began playing more frequently in the middle.
Albiol eventually joined Rafael Benitez’s Napoli in the summer of 2013 after starting only five games in the club’s 2011/2012 title campaign.
Alvaro Negredo
After selling Negredo to Almeria in 2007, Madrid included a €5 million buy-back clause to acquire him two years later. The striker was promptly traded to Sevilla, and Real Madrid made a 10 million euro profit.
Esteban Granero
Granero was eventually impressed enough to return to the Bernabeu after making his breakthrough at Getafe in Spain’s top division. He was unable to obtain a starting position. Jose Mourinho, according to Jerzy Dudek, accused the midfielder of leaking team intelligence to the media prior to the 2011 match against Barcelona. Following the incident, the former Spain Under-21 international departed his childhood club. Transfer of £9 million to QPR in 2012.
Alvaro Arbeloa
After playing for Deportivo La Coruna and Liverpool, Arbeloa returned to the Bernabeu in 2009, having previously attended the Madrid Academy. The dependable and consistent defender made 233 appearances during his seven-year tenure at the Bernabeu. After a decline in form during the 2015–2016 season, he departed as a hero and joined West Ham in the Premier League.
