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Real Madrid are one of the biggest teams in the world and are home to a lot of superstars all the time. Their 'habit' of buying established and extremely talented players is well documented. But even they have made mistakes in letting certain players go.
A host of their stars haven't been happy with the club in recent years citing certain players. Sergio Ramos is one; Cristiano Ronaldo is another. Even former managers have admitted that they've made mistakes in selling players off to other clubs.
Ronaldo's controversial switch to Juventus does not feature on the list, as Los Blancos had no choice to oblige to the Portuguese's international wishes at the time.
On that note, here are five players Real Madrid regret selling over the years.
5. Arjen Robben
No one in their right mind would've sold a 25-year-old Arjen Robben, especially when he was destroying defences in the La Liga. Still, Florentino Perez came in and wanted to start his era with a massive 'Galactico' signing. Out went Arjen Robben, in came Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Dutchman joined Bayern Munich in 2009 and has since gone on to become one of the best players in the world, before eventually retiring in 2019. Seven Bundesliga titles, one UEFA Champions League title and a series of ankle-breaking dribbles later, Robben is one of the most prominent players Real Madrid let go – and for something as little as £20 million.
Given a chance, at 25, Real Madrid would have loved to retained signed Robben. Imagine a winger with blistering pace, exceptional dribbling ability and an eye for goal.
4. Sami Khedira
Sami Khedira was one of the best midfield enforcers Real Madrid have had in recent seasons. The German was the one who did all the dirty work for the likes of Mesut Ozil, Cristiano Ronaldo, and others to flourish. His reading of the game was exceptional – mainly from a defensive point of view.
Khedira also had one hell of an engine capable of sprinting up and down the field if needed. Now at Juventus, Khedira is still a valuable member of the first team and has won several domestic titles with the Bianconeri.
3. Gonzalo Higuain
When Real Madrid decided to sell Gonzalo Higuain, a host of clubs lined up to sign him, as he was a striker capable of winning games on his own. After a sensational spell at Napoli, where he broke the Serie A record for the most goals scored in a single season, Juventus came calling.
The Argentine joined arch-enemies Juventus in record-breaking deal worth £76.5 million, making him the most expensive Italian transfer ever.
After loan spells with AC Milan and Chelsea, Higuain is still a member of Juventus' first team and has reunited with former Real Madrid teammate Cristiano Ronaldo in Turin.
2. Angel Di Maria
Angel Di Maria was somewhat unwillingly sold to Manchester United in 2015, but the Argentine playmaker's time in Spain is severely underrated.
Real Madrid made a lot of money in their deal to send the Argentine to England but have since then missed his eye for a pass and his overlapping runs from the centre of the pitch. Di Maria was always a threat for Los Blancos, be it on the ball or off it, and Zinedine Zidane would have loved to have called up to the team when needed.
Di Maria has since moved on to Paris Saint-Germain after a failed season in England and has found the right platform to showcase his talents once again. He's a key player for Thomas Tuchel's men and has become a reliable performer for the Parisian outfit since leaving Old Trafford in 2016.
1. Mesut Ozil
Mesut Ozil became Arsenal's record signing in the summer of 2013 and is comfortably Real Madrid's biggest mistake in recent seasons.
Even Carlo Ancelotti – the Real Madrid manager at the time – admitted that he'd made a mistake by selling the playmaker to the London giants. Ozil has since gone on to win three FA Cups and two Community Shields with the Gunners and been the leading assist provider since joining the club.
The German was one of the biggest stars at Real Madrid and formed a devastating partnership with Cristiano Ronaldo, as he created chances from all corners of the pitch.
Ronaldo was not happy with Ozil leaving, as was the case with Sergio Ramos. The pair publicly expressed their displeasure when the former Werder Bremen man was sold to Arsenal, indicating that Los Blancos has made a bad decision.
