10 Most Expensive Signings In Real Madrid History

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Real Madrid FC is one of the most valuable sports team in the world and they certainly don't hesitate to spend the money on valuable transfers and new-signings. According to the Forbes.com, currently valued for the top spot is the Spanish giant—Real Madrid $4.09 billion (and Barcelona $4.06 billion). Real Madrid is often known for their mastery in the signings of the players.

The Los Blancos have assembled a team of world beaters at tremendous prices, cherry-picked by the president Florentino Pérez himself. Perez is not afraid to splash the cash in the signing of top-stars and has proved it by making marquee signings such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Zinedine Zidane, and David Beckham.

Real Madrid has broken the world record transfer fee multiple times but Who are the 10 Most Expensive Signings In Real Madrid' History? Read On to uncover them!


#10 David Beckham

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He was inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame in 2008

Former Paris SG player, David Beckham has played for many clubs which includes Manchester United, Preston North End, Real Madrid, Milan, LA Galaxy, Paris Saint-Germain. Also, he has played for England Football team as an outfield player.

Before signing to Real Madrid he played for Manchester United. Manchester United was seen keen to sell Beckham to Barcelona as the transfer window approached in the summer of 2003. The two clubs even announced that they reached a deal for Beckham's transfer, but instead he joined reigning Spanish champions Real Madrid for £24.5million on a four-year contract.

He became the first English player to win league titles in four countries. He won 19 major trophies in his 20-year career before retiring on July-1-2013.

David is a global ambassador for the sport, Beckham is regarded as a British cultural icon. Also, in 2008 he was inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame.

#9 Ronaldo Luís Nazário

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He captured the European Golden Boot after scoring 34 goals in La Liga

The Brazillian Football striker was last signed to Corinthians. Luis joined Real in 2002 almost after the three-years of inactivity due to serious knee injuries he suffered.which was followed by spells at A.C. Milan and Corinthians. He has played the most game for Real Madrid. Also, he has played for his national team of Brazil in 98 matches.

During his spell at Real Madrid, he played as a Centre-Forward. Having signed for Real Madrid for €46 million, his jersey sales broke all records on the first day. In his debut for Real at the Santiago Bernabéu, Luis scored twice for which received a standing ovation.

Nazario has been named three-times FIFA World Player of the Year (in 1996, 1997 and 2002), and the Ballon d'Or twice (in 1997 and 2002), as well as the UEFA Club Footballer of the Year in 1998. He also captured the European Golden Boot after scoring 34 goals in La Liga.

He was named Serie A Footballer of the Year in 1998. He was also named in the FIFA 100 list of the greatest living players published in 2004 by Pelé and also he was inducted into the Italian Football Hall of Fame and the Brazilian Football Museum Hall of Fame.

#8 Rodrygo

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He made his International career debut on 30 March 2017

The Brazillian Footballer better knew as Rodrygo is currently signed to Santos FC positioning as a Left-Winger. On 4 November 2017, Rodrygo made his first team and Série A debut, coming on as a late substitute for Bruno Henrique.

On 15 June 2018, Real Madrid and Santos reached an agreement for the transfer of Rodrygo, with the player joining Los Blancos in the summer 2019 and signing until 2025 for €45 million, with Santos retaining €40 million for 80% of his federative rights.

He is at the age of 17. He made his International career debut on 30 March 2017, Rodrygo was called up to Brazil U-17s for the year's Montaigu Tournament. He made his debut in the championship by scoring a goal from his side only and suffered a loss against Denmark.

On 7 March 2018, Rodrygo was called up to the U-20s but after six days, he was cut-off immediately from the squad after a request from his club's president.

#7 Vinícius Júnior

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He is the second most expensive sale of a player the history of Brazilian football

Currently signed to Real Madrid, Vinícius Júnior is a Brazillian Footballer acting as a Left-Winger. He took his first steps as professional on loan at Flamengo. Vinícius played perhaps his final home match for Flamengo on 10 June 2018 against Paraná (a 2-0 victory).

Real Madrid signed a contract to get hold of Vinícius on 23 May 2017, effective after his 18th birthday on 12 July 2018 for €46 million which was at the time, the second most expensive sale of a player the history of Brazilian football (Neymar had cost Barcelona €86 million).

It was the highest amount ever paid by a club for a footballer under the age of 19 and largest amount received by a Brazilian club for a transfer.

Vinicius was the only player playing in South America at the time he appeared on The Telegraph's list at No.39 of the best U-21 players in the world in June 2017.

#6 Luís Figo

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He won the Ballon d'Or in the year 2000

Former Inter Milan player, Luís Figo is a Portuguese footballer. Figo is one of the few football players to have played for both Spanish rival clubs Barcelona and Real Madrid. He played as a Right-Winger for several clubs including Sporting CP, Barcelona, Real Madrid and Inter Milan.

Figo made a surprising and controversial signing in July 2000 for £37.2million to Barcelona's bitter rivals Real Madrid. It was a new world record fee which was met by Los Blancos. Barcelona fans felt betrayed by his transfer to the rival club and turned against him as he became the new attraction of Spanish Gaints–Los Blancos rivalry.

He won 127 caps for the Portugal national team before retiring on 31 May 2009 (a record at the time but later broken by Cristiano Ronaldo).

He won the Ballon d'Or in 2000, FIFA World Player of the Year in 2000. Pelé named him in the FIFA 100 list of the world's greatest living players in 2004. Figo is regarded as one of the greatest players of his generation.

#5 Kaká

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Kaka failed to live up to his price tag due to various reasons, injuries being one of the main factors

Leaving AC Milan in June 2009 Kaká signed to Real Madrid. In 2001 Kaká made his professional club debut at age 18 at São Paulo FC in Brazil. Also, in 2002 he made his debut for the Brazil national Football squad and was selected for their victorious World Cup squad that year.

In June 2009, Real Madrid and AC Milan reached an agreement and that the Brazilian would join the Los Blancos on a six-year contract for £56million. Unfortunately, Kaka failed to live up to his price tag due to various reasons, injuries being one of the main factors.

Kaká is one of only eight players to have won the UEFA Champions League, the Ballon d'Or and the FIFA World Cup,

For Kaka' contributions on and off the field, he was named in the Time 100 list (world's most influential people in 2008 and 2009). After turning down several offers from former clubs Kaká announced his retirement on 17 December 2017.

#4 James Rodríguez

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James signed a six-year contract with Real Madrid for €75 million

Attacking midfielder James Rodríguez is currently signed to Bayern Munich. After signing to the club he had a slow start to his Bayern career, mainly due to an injury in pre-season. He left AS Monaco for Real Madrid in July 2014. He is quite often referred as the successor to his fellow citizen Carlos Valderrama and regarded as one of the best players of his generation.

In a post-match interview during the 2014 World Cup, James stated his "admiration", "passion" and "love" and for Real Madrid. On 22nd July 2014, the Colombian signed a six-year contract with Real Madrid for £71million.

When Madrid won the 2016–17 La Liga he appeared 22-times. Also, he made six appearances when Madrid won the 2016–17 UEFA Champions League.

James failed to gain enough playing time under Zidane despite scoring 11 goals and his techniques on the field, which lead him to request for a loan transfer for more playing time.

He won a European Super Cup, a FIFA Club World Cup, Golden Boot, and a Champions League trophy.

#3 Zinédine Zidane

Zinedine Zidane of Real Madrid
Zidane won the Golden Ball in the 2006 World Cup

Prior to his retirement from the field in May 2006, Zidane was signed to Real Madrid attacking Midfield. Before signing to Los Blancos he was acquired to Juventus. He represented his country France in 1998, 2002, 2006 FIFA World Cup scoring 5 goals in 12 matches.

In 2001, Zizou signed a four-year contract with Real Madrid for €77 million in instalments. Before joining Madrid he has played for several clubs which includes AS Cannes, G.Bordeaux, and Juventus.

Zidane was named FIFA World Player of the year in 1998, 2000, 2003 also, he has captured Ballon d'Or in 1998, Golden Ball in 2006 World Cup.

Zidane retired from the field but not from the Football. Since his retirement, he has managed Real Madrid Youth (2012-13), Real Madrid Castilla (2014-16), and Real Madrid (2016-18).

#2 Cristiano Ronaldo

Club Atletico de Madrid v Real Madrid CF - La Liga
One of the greatest

On 2009, Ronaldo signed with Los Blancos then-world record fee of £80 million. Ronaldo made his debut against Deportivo La Coruña in La Liga in August 2009. He scored from the penalty spot in Madrid's 3–2 home win. Cristiano Ronaldo left Manchester United to join Real Madrid in July 2009.

During his venture in the United, Portuguese footballer helped the club to win three-straight Premiere League Titles, a FIFA Club World Cup and a UEFA Champions League Title. He became the first Madrid player to score in each of his first four league fixtures.

On 10 July 2018, Ronaldo signed a four-year contract with Juventus after completing a €100 million transfer and an additional €12 million in other fees. The transfer was the highest ever for a player till date.

He has won Ballon d'Or Five-times (2008, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017), named FIFA best Men's player of the year in 2016 and 2017 and is a 5-time World soccer player of the year.

#1 Gareth Bale

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Before signing a contract with Real Madrid Bale was playing with Tottenham Hotspur

Representing Wales and playing as Right-Winger, Gareth Bale is No.1 in this list. Though he had played for several clubs like Southampton FC, Tottenham Hotspur, and Real Madrid. His ball striking from distance, swerving free kicks, and his ability to get past defenders with pace, Bale has received plaudits from his peers. Before joining his forces with Real Madrid he was playing with Tottenham Hotspur or "Spurs" (as they say).

On 1 September 2013, Gareth Bale signed a six-year deal (then a world record deal) with the Spanish club Real Madrid for a tremendous amount of €100 million and became the most expensive player in the Real Madrid till date. He had a slow start in Los Blancos because of the plague of injuries he has to deal with.

Bale helped Real to win the UEFA Champions League and the 2013–14 Copa del Rey scoring in both finals.

He's 4-time Champions League winner, 4-time FIFA Club World Cup winner, 3-time UEFA Supercup winner, and 1-time Premier League Player of the Year.

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Edited by Amar Anand