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Although La Fabrica has produced several generational talents over the years, Real Madrid have a history of making extravagant signings. Their 'Galacticos' policy of recruiting the most well-known and marketable stars gained significant momentum in the early 2000s. Having spent an eye-watering amount of €355 million in 2019, Real Madrid are still implementing the said practice to an extent.
Most expensive signings conducted by Real Madrid
With a rejected offer reportedly in excess of €200 million for PSG's Kylian Mbappe this summer, the 34-time La Liga champions are not expected to change their habit. Real Madrid have already broken the world record for the highest transfer fee paid in club football on three occasions. Considering their current intentions, Carlo Ancelotti's side could end up shattering the record once again in 2022.
Cristiano Ronaldo's arrival in 2009 dominated the headlines in every newspaper, with Real Madrid splashing out a then record €94 million for his services. However, Gareth Bale's €101 million acquisition in 2013 quickly overshadowed the exorbitant fee involved in Ronaldo's transfer. At the time of writing, Eden Hazard is the most expensive signing in Real Madrid's history, having swapped Chelsea for the Bernabeu in exchange for €115 million.
However, Real Madrid's prodigal habit of spending bucket-loads of cash has a huge downside, other than the financial aspect. To fund their big-money moves, the men in white often end up sacrificing established and crucial first-team members. With Real Madrid having a profound history of offloading stars at the wrong time, let's take a look at five such players that they should have never sold:
#5 Samuel Eto'o to RCD Mallorca
A bona fide Barcelona legend, Samuel Eto'o was once a budding striker, trying to make a name for himself in the Real Madrid academy. The Cameroonian veteran joined Los Blancos' youth setup in 1997 at the tender age of 16, with hopes of cementing a place in the senior squad one day.
Due to a quota on non-European Union players according to regulations in the lower leagues of Spanish football, Eto'o spent most of his time out on loan. After a meager seven appearances with the first team, he was shipped off to RCD Mallorca in 2000 for a fee of €4.5 million.
The talented prodigy burst onto the scene at Mallorca, scoring 67 goals in four years. A big-money move to Barcelona followed, where Eto'o went on to elevate his game to unimaginable levels. He became an integral cog in Pep Guardiola's rampant Barca side, dismantling Real Madrid on multiple occasions. With two continental trebles and 416 career goals to his name, Real Madrid would've faired a lot better with Eto'o in their team.
#4 Angel Di Maria to Manchester United
In 2014, Real Madrid authorized the departure of Angel Di Maria to Manchester United in order to facilitate funds for the purchase of James Rodriguez. Even though they were able to recoup a whopping €75 million from his sale, Real Madrid somehow ended up on the losing side of the bargain.
Following the exit of Mesut Ozil and the arrival of Gareth Bale in 2013, Di Maria bravely took up the mantle as Real Madrid's chief creator. His transition from being an industrious wideman to a dynamic midfielder was so smoothly executed that he ended up with 25 assists that season.
Despite guiding Real Madrid to their 10th Champions League title and grabbing the Man of the Match award in the final, he was sold to United just two months later. While the innovative playmaker did struggle to adapt to life in England, he has been a top player for both PSG and Argentina for quite some time now.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid failed miserably to incorporate his replacement into their squad, selling Rodriguez to Everton in 2020.
Also read: 5 players Barcelona should have never sold
#3 Claude Makelele to Chelsea
Another casualty of Real Madrid's 'Galactico' policy, Claude Makelele was sold to Chelsea in 2003 to make room for English superstar David Beckham. Florentino Perez's bizarre decision to offload the French work-machine was perfectly summed up by Zinedine Zidane when he said:
“Why do you need to add a gold layer on a Bentley, when you have already lost the engine?"
A dogged defensive midfielder, Makelele revolutionized the said role with his unusual work ethic and superior technical capabilities. The 72-time capped France international was especially known for his ability to break down play and his positional sense.
Nevertheless, since the name 'Makelele' wasn't as marketable as 'Beckham', Perez deemed him surplus to requirements. Subsequently, he was spat out on the door of Chelsea for €20 million. With Makelele in his team, Jose Mourinho went on to transform the Blues into an impenetrable defensive unit. Real Madrid, on the other hand, had to wait another 11 years for their next Champions League title.
#2 Arjen Robben to Bayern Munich
Following a career path opposite to that of the aforementioned Makelele, Arjen Robben joined Real Madrid from Chelsea in 2007 for a sizeable fee of €35 million. Having struggled with injuries during his time with the Blues, Robben made a switch to Spain in order to breathe new life into his career.
The 'Flying Dutchman' was essential to Real Madrid's title win in the 2007-08 season, producing 10 goal contributions along the way. However, with the re-election of Florentino Perez in 2009, Real Madrid witnessed their most famous spending spree, signing Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka and Karim Benzema in the same window.
Conforming to their usual transfer rituals, Real Madrid sanctioned the sale of several established stars. Along with Wesley Sneijder and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, Robben was also shown the door to assimilate the new signings.
The Dutch playmaker went on to forge a legendary career with Bayern Munich, winning eight Bundesliga titles and a Champions League trophy with the Bavarians. An ideal example of what could've been for Real Madrid.
#1 Cristiano Ronaldo to Juventus
The sale of their all-time top scorer Cristiano Ronaldo will undoubtedly go down as one of the worst decisions in Real Madrid's 119-year history. Following their record 13th Champions League victory in 2018, Real Madrid announced that their Portuguese talisman would be leaving the club after nine years of relentless service.
In the span of nine seasons, Ronaldo hoisted the Spanish giants to a whole new level, propelling them to two La Liga titles and four European Cup wins. He inexplicably racked up a gargantuan tally of 450 goals in just 438 games for Real Madrid, breaking numerous long-term records at the club.
Neglecting his unmatchable contribution, Los Blancos decided not to stand in his way and happily shipped him off to Juventus in exchange for €117 million. Fast forward three years and the 36-year-old superstar is currently dominating the Premier League after returning to Manchester United, while Real Madrid have still not replaced him.
Also read: 5 players who did not deserve to play for Barcelona
