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As a professional football player, it is an ultimate goal to play for the most successful and accomplished club in the history of the sport. To be specific, Real Madrid has been the ultimate destination for every football personality who has played on an elite level.
Many have had the opportunity and were lucky enough to land their signatures on the contract paper, but there were those who didn't quite live up to the expectations of the fans.
From the likes of Rafael van der Vaart to Emmanuel Adebayor, there have been many such signings who were just 'passers', fading away on the bench at the Bernabeu.
On the other hand, there have been 'experiments', as we call them, who may have failed at the Bernabeu, but have made a name for themselves by delivering world-class performances in another league for another club.
But as the focus of the topic remains undisturbed, we have shortlisted 5 world-class footballers who were once signed by Los Blancos, but most fans weren't even aware of their existence at the Santiago Bernabeu.
#5 Marcos Alonso
Chelsea's most important full-back, Alonso has been an extremely important inclusion by Antonio Conte. He was purchased from Fiorentina for a little sum, but is now a much more valuable player. But little does every Chelsea supporter know, Alonso was a graduate of the Real Madrid youth academy, and has played for Real Madrid's B team.
Following his permanent inclusion in the senior team in 2010, Alonso was one of those lads who was considered the 'future' of Los Blancos.
However, with little to no appearances due to the available options on the Madrid bench, Alonso was transferred to Bolton Wanderers in that same season he was promoted to the first team.
#4 Fabinho
Fabinho was signed by Jurgen Klopp this season, and has not really been making too many appearances for his squad. But that does not deny the fact that he is one of the most skilled defensive midfielders in the Premier League. His ability to synchronize plays from the back of the defensive line has been a very important factor for him as a football player.
The Brazilian international is known for his time with AS Monaco, with whom he was able to win Ligue 1 in the 2016-17 season, dethroning Paris Saint-Germain in an extremely fashionable manner.
Not many are aware of the fact that he once wore the famous white shirt for Real Madrid back in 2013. Though he was on a loan stint, Fabinho made only one appearance for Los Blancos, and was later transferred to AS Monaco.
#3 Klaas-Jan Huntelaar
A prolific striker, Huntelaar was once a sensation in the mid 2000s, and has drawn comparisons to the likes of Ruud van Nistelrooy and Marco van Basten. He was best known for his time with Schalke 04, where he played for 7 seasons, scoring over 100 goals for the German giants.
Huntelaar's skills and goal scoring abilities have earned him some of the most important individual accolades as a Dutch footballer. His appearances in three different World Cups made him one of the most important players for The Netherlands football team.
Having played for clubs like AC Milan and Ajax, the Dutch maestro was once part of the Real Madrid squad back in 2009, and played for almost 20 matches, scoring 8 goals, but due to the options available on the bench, Huntelaar had to leave for another club, and did so by joining AC Milan in 2009.
#2 Antonio Cassano
Cassano was considered as the 'future' of Italian football, but due to multiple injuries and disciplinary issues, he was forced to change clubs on a regular basis, and was neglected by world-class managers later in his career.
However, that does not change the fact that he was an extremely talented football player with an eye for goal, and possessed the leadership quality of a true striker. Cassano's expertise as a goalscorer has been an important factor in his career.
It isn't surprising that he was a part of the Real Madrid squad from 2006 to 2008, and made over 20 appearances for Los Blancos. But with the growing number of options on the bench, and a relatively low goal scoring ratio, Cassano departed the Santiago Bernabeu, and joined Sampdoria in 2008.
Fabio Capello, former Real Madrid manager described this move as a 'waste of talent', as Cassano's skills could have been better used at the Bernabeu.
#1 Samuel Eto'o
The 37-year old is currently playing for Qatar SC as a striker, and is considered one of the greatest African footballers of all time, having an unbelievable goal scoring record for Barcelona and the Cameroonian national team. His goal in the 2009 UEFA Champions League finals was an extremely important one, as Barcelona went on to win the title against Manchester United.
A lesser known fact about the Cameroon international is that he was a product of the Real Madrid youth system, and graduated successfully to the senior team in 1997. He is one of the few players who have played for both Barcelona and Real Madrid.
With only 7 appearances in 3 seasons, Eto'o was sent on a loan spell to various Spanish clubs, until his permanent spell at Mallorca. Unsurprisingly though, Eto'o's transfer is something that Los Blancos have found to be 'regretful', as his success with rivals Barcelona was quite obvious.
