5 Real Madrid legends who left on free transfers

#3 Sergio Ramos to PSG (2021)

Ramos with his last title as a Real Madrid player before his free transfer to PSG

The most recent of the free transfers in the discussion, Sergio Ramos' move from Real Madrid to PSG was shrouded in controversy. A complicated series of events resulted in the veteran's departure after 16 years of loyal service at the Bernabeu. Sensing a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, the French giants swooped in through the earliest possible window and secured Ramos on a free transfer.

In an emotional farewell, the former Madrid captain opened up about the confusion regarding his extension, stating:

"I never wanted to leave Real Madrid, I always wanted to stay here. It wasn't a financial problem. They offered me one year, I wanted two. I accepted the offer with a pay cut, and I was told there was no longer an offer. I was told that despite having given the OK to the proposal, it had an expiry date and I didn't realise ... It surprised me."

Lionel Messi and Sergio Ramos friends. What a bizarre world 🤣 pic.twitter.com/4X9A7t3Zfw

— SPORTbible (@sportbible) August 12, 2021

Sergio Ramos joins Lionel Messi as one of PSG's latest free transfers, bringing with him some much-needed defensive and leadership skills to the Parisians. Having guided Real Madrid to four Champions League trophies, Mauricio Pochettino will be hoping for similar fortunes at PSG after his arrival. The Ligue 1 giants are yet to taste European glory since their inception in 1970.

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#2 Raul to FC Schalke (2010)

Raul in a Europa League match for Schalke

Raul was the all-time top-scorer for Real Madrid with 324 strikes before a certain Cristiano Ronaldo came along and procured every single record for himself. Furthermore, the Spanish international, who earned 102 caps at senior level, was also his nation's leading goal-getter until David Villa usurped the said title in 2011.

Henceforth, Raul was a proper striker during his day, scoring for fun in every country he played. A graduate of La Fabrica, the prolific forward spent 18 years with Real Madrid, 16 of them contracted to the first team. During his career as a Los Blancos player, the Spaniard won an astonishing 16 pieces of silverware.

Having achieved several heights at the Bernabeu, Raul called it a day on his Real Madrid career in 2010. Following his exit from the club, the legendary striker secured a free transfer to Schalke.

Raul enjoyed another two years at the top with the German giants, winning the historic DFB-Pokal title in his debut season. He hung up his boots in 2015, following two free transfers to Al Sadd and New York Cosmos respectively.

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#1 Iker Casillas to FC Porto (2015)

Casillas won 19 trophies with Real prior to his free transfer to Porto

Widely regarded as one of the best goalkeepers to ever lace a pair of boots, Iker Casillas is a Real Madrid legend through and through. The Spanish legend spent a mind-boggling 25 years at the Bernabeu after graduating from their famed academy. After 16 years of being contracted to the first team, Casillas bid a tearful adieu to the Madrid faithful as he joined Portuguese side FC Porto on a free transfer in 2015.

They deserved better 💔 pic.twitter.com/XUDAOobMb0

— FootballFunnys (@FootballFunnnys) August 8, 2021

Following his domestic and continental debuts in the 1999-2000 season, Casillas became the youngest goalkeeper ever to play in and win a Champions League final. The veteran starred in a 3-0 win over a rampant Valencia, just four days after his 19th birthday. He never looked back after that historic win.

Casillas won all notable pieces of silverware with Real Madrid, captaining his side for five glorious seasons. Following a fall-out with Carlo Ancelotti, who preferred Diego Lopez to the 167-capped Spanish international, Casillas was shipped off to Porto on a free transfer. He subsequently retired in 2020, at the ripe old age of 39.

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