open menulivescore

10 forgotten Real Madrid players from the last 30 years
Copy icon

Mitchell Fretton
LiveScore
Roberto Soldado was once a Real Madrid player
Roberto Soldado was once a Real Madrid player

Success is almost guaranteed at Real Madrid and it is rare for a player to walk away from the Spanish capital without a winners medal.

They may have 35 LaLiga titles and 14 European crowns but not everyone has enjoyed success with Los Blancos.

We take a look at 10 forgotten faces to have stepped out at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Samuel Eto'o (1997-2000)

Cameroon's legendary goalscorer Samuel Eto'o falls into the rare category of playing for both Real Madrid and Barcelona.

His journey started with the former, where he made seven appearances and failed to score, eventually being shipped out to Mallorca, where he spent four seasons before becoming a star at the Camp Nou.

Nicolas Anelka (1999-2000)

Nicolas Anelka won the Champions League at Real Madrid
Nicolas Anelka won the Champions League at Real Madrid

Silverware followed Nicolas Anelka to almost every club he played for during his 20-year career and despite only making 33 appearances for Real Madrid, the Frenchman still walked away with a Champions League winners medal.

The ex-Arsenal, Manchester City and Chelsea finisher did not settle in Spain and returned to Paris Saint-Germain for his second spell before crossing the channel back to England.

Esteban Cambiasso (2002-04)

Esteban Cambiasso was a key figure for the Inter Milan side that won the Treble in 2009-10 and he also spent a season at Leicester the year before they won the Premier League.

But before his adventures in Italy and England, the Argentine midfielder turned out 67 times for Madrid and played alongside the likes of Zinedine Zidane and Luis Figo.

Juan Mata (2003-06)

Juan Mata never made a senior appearance for Real Madrid but did spend three years with the youth setup, initially joining when he was 15.

The Spaniard turned out 38 times for Madrid's reserves and left after three years having never been afforded an opportunity with the first team.

Jonathan Woodgate (2004-07)

Jonathan Woodgate joined Real Madrid from Newcastle
Jonathan Woodgate joined Real Madrid from Newcastle

Leeds, Middlesbrough and Stoke are all listed on Jonathan Woodgate's CV and the former England defender also spent three years playing alongside several Galacticos.

He only made nine LaLiga appearances in all competitions and would not venture abroad again, going on to become part of the last Tottenham squad to win a trophy in 2008.

Roberto Soldado (2005-08)

Former Spurs striker Roberto Soldado was rewarded for his prolific form with Real's reserves, earning a place in Vanderlei Luxemburgo's squad in 2005.

But after netting just four goals in 27 games for the European giants, the frustrated goalscorer was sold to Getafe and went on to play for six other clubs across Spain, England and Turkey.

Marcos Alonso (2010)

Now playing for arch-rivals Barcelona, Marcos Alonso once sported the famous white jersey in Madrid.

The flying full-back emerged through the youth system in Spain but only made one senior appearance before signing for Bolton and going on to enjoy his best years at Chelsea.

Emmanuel Adebayor (2011)

Emmanuel Adebayor had a loan spell with Real Madrid
Emmanuel Adebayor had a loan spell with Real Madrid

Famous for his devilish attitude on the pitch, Emmanuel Adebayor enjoyed a short loan spell at Real Madrid where he bizarrely wore the No6 shirt during domestic matches but No28 in the Champions League.

The ex-Manchester City striker scored eight times in 22 matches across all competitions but did not extend his stay with Los Blancos, instead signing for Tottenham despite previously playing for North London rivals Arsenal.

Fabinho (2013)

Fabinho was identified by Liverpool for his performances at Monaco but the midfield anchor initially joined Real Madrid in his big move from Brazil back in 2012.

After an impressive stint with the reserves, it was surprising to see the 29-cap Selecao international only make one appearance for the senior team before moving to the French Riviera.

Marcos Llorente (2015-19)

Marcos Llorente switched his allegiance to Atletico Madrid from city neighbours Real
Marcos Llorente switched his allegiance to Atletico Madrid from city neighbours Real

Marcos Llorente is now an integral part of Diego Simeone's Atletico Madrid side but once wore the colours of city rivals Real.

Born in the capital, Spain's talented midfielder is a boyhood fan of Los Blancos and followed in the footsteps of his father and grandfather, who both played for the LaLiga powerhouses.

Tags

Real MadridLaLiga
LiveScore logo

LiveScore: Live Sport Updates

Footbal Scores & Sports News

App storeGoogle play