Real Madrid. You could turn Coldplay’s song on his head, and have a ‘squad full of stars’ for just about every generation. Whether it’s Zinedine Zidane or Gareth Bale, the Los Blancos boys always have high quality options.
Still, there are some world-class players who have gone more under the radar than Paul Pogba at Manchester United, and can somehow say they’ve had worse careers at Real Madrid than both Michael Owen and Jonathan Woodgate. Seriously, how did Jonathan Woodgate play for Real Madrid?!
Have a look at the forgotten Galactico’s…
Jerzy Dudek
The hero of Istanbul. But, the forgotten man in the Spanish capital. Was nothing more than a passenger at the Bernabéu, and an expert at warming the bench. Source: Goal
Marcos Alonso
Not even a picture of him in a Real kit. Earning his bread at Chelsea now, but couldn't as much take home a loaf of Hovis when at Madrid. Source: Goal
Ze Roberto
Ze Roberto started as a left back - which is very unlucky to be signed at the time that Roberto Carlos was in the side. His limited opportunities meant he went to prove himself in Brazil and later Germany. Source: Defensa Central
Juanfran
At Real as a winger and therefore didn't get a sniff with the likes of Luis Figo and David Beckham. Regardless, Juanfran did help Real Madrid to a Champions League title this year after missing in the shootout - so at least he's done something for his former club. Source: Estaticos
Royston Drenthe
Meant to be a good player. But, Drenthe had other ideas! Bringing guests to the team premises, drink driving and being late to team meetings - a general nuisance basically. It appears he thought he had already made it as a top player - He was wrong - which is why now he is stuck playing in the Abu Dhabi league. Source: YouTube
Esteban Cambiasso
The legend that is Esteban Cambiasso, commonly recognised by his trademark bald head. Cambiasso is one of Inter Milan's greatest, and would have been at Madrid had he been given the chance. Source: Wall Part
Antonio Cassano
It started well for Cassano until he began to make the most of the 'Galactico' lifestyle. After developing a bad attitude, bringing multiple latinas back to the team hotel, whilst eating countless pastries and ending up overweight, Madrid swiftly ejected him from the club. Source: Bleacher Report
Alvaro Negredo
Negredo was successful in and around Real Madrid's B team and on loan but never really had a chance with the likes of Ruud Van Nistelrooy and Gonzalo Higuain playing up top for Madrid at the time. Source: Perform Group
Samuel Eto’o
Everton legend, who will sadly be forgotten in football come ten years time. Lasted as long in Madrid as I would with Margot Robbie in bed. Source: Play Buzz
Roberto Soldado
What has this guy actually offered to football?! The bloke's somehow got a pretty good CV for a striker who makes Emile Heskey look world-class. Source: Ecestaticos
Santiago Munez
What a player. What a boy. Better than Gavin Harris every day of the week. Source: Media
Wouldn’t make a bad XI? Santiago Munez would definitely provide the X-Factor, and Cassano would bring the dressing room bant.
Whilst you’re here, you might want to check out the 10 players you forgot ever played for Barcelona, too!
Gazika Mendieta
Mendieta was considered one of the best midfielders in Europe when he helped Valencia reach back-to-back Champions League finals, and went on to enjoy a stint at Barcelona. He clearly decided he was sick of playing midweek fixtures, went to Middlesbrough for an early retirement and somehow won them the League Cup. If they haven't built a statue out of gravy for him at the Riverside, he should feel personally offended. Image Source: Goal
Martin Caceres
Probably best known to you and your mates through FIFA, when you take him off the bench and into the reserves, so you can fit yet another Juventus attacker into your squad. Had a spell at Barcelona back in '08, but wasn't technically gifted enough for Guardiola so he Joe Harted him and loaned him out. Image Source: Zimbio
Edgar Davids
Davids actually took some time out of playing for Italy's biggest clubs for a half a season to join some minnows called Barcelona, where he's credited with revitalising Rijkaard's underachieving team. Image Source: partidoapartidocom
Juan Roman Riquelme
Before Messi was the next Maradona, Riquelme was. Despite that, his time at Barcelona was short and forgettable, as Louis van Gaal had no idea how to get the best out of him and he fell victim to not being as good as Rivaldo. Image Source: Futbol Sapiens
Geovanni
The player on this list most likely to make you think, what the hell?! A big money signing for Barcelona back in 2001, but his career went rapidly downhill and he ended up at Hull in 2008. To be fair, when you remember that goal against Arsenal, you can see what Barca hoped they were paying for. Image Source: Flipboard
Ricardo Quaresma
More famous for having a teardrop tattoo than being a good player, Quaresema has disappointed fans and teammates across the continent for years now. Just like you forgot he played for Inter Milan and Chelsea, you also forgot he played for Barcelona back in 2003, where he did nothing of note before being sold to Porto in a swap with Deco. Image Source: Goal
Christophe Dugarry
LvG signed the attack-minded Frenchman in '97 and tried to turn him into a defensive-midfielder, which for some reason didn't work out for either party. If Dugarry still has any nightmares over his time at Barcelona, I'm sure cuddling his World Cup and Euro gold medals will help him get back to sleep. Image Source: 101 Great Goals
Simao
One of Benfica's best ever players, it's a wonder that none of Europe's elite came calling for the little Portuguese man. Perhaps they remembered his disastrous couple of years at Barcelona, but nobody else does. Image Source: turnstyle
Jari Litmanen
Before Zlatan, Litmanen was Scandinavia's most famous export. Another van Gaal signing, Jari never managed to hit the same heights for Barcelona as he did for Ajax, despite Louis' genius idea of signing half of his teammates to help him out. Is there a reason so many of these forgotten spells are linked to Louis?! Image Source: These Football Times
Winston Bogarde
Ah, Winston Bogarde. A tall and strong central defender in his prime, as his career progressed he masterfully transitioned into a money-grabbing benchwarmer. He started the positional change at Barcelona, but he was at his peak playing in this position when at Chelsea, which understandably overshadows his time at the Camp Nou. Image Source: Squawka
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