Real Madrid broke the record for the most expensive transfer in football history twice within the last 12 years - luring Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale to the Santiago Bernabeu - for €96 million and €100 million respectively. They also splashed mammoth figures on the likes of James Rodriguez and Eden Hazard. That is how far Los Blancos can go when it comes to signing world-class players.
Despite their reputation as the home of the biggest superstars in the game, things have not always gone Real Madrid's way. In fact, there have been multiple occasions over the years in which the Spanish giants moved close to acquiring some elite footballers but failed to make it happen owing to various reasons.
In line with that, we've decided to compile a list of five world-class players Real Madrid almost signed in the past. They are as follows:
#5 David Villa

David Villa was a huge force to reckon with during his days as a Valencia player. Almost all the top-rated clubs in La Liga showed interest in luring him from the Mestalla Stadium.
Real Madrid were one of the frontrunners in the race for the attacker's signature. Villa looked set to complete a swoop to the Santiago Bernabeu and was offered a contract, but things broke down in the final minutes as Valencia reportedly requested more money.
The Spaniard eventually joined Los Blancos' arch-rivals Barcelona in a deal worth €40 million in the summer of 2010. He spent three successful years with the Catalan giants, bagging 48 goals and 23 assists before leaving for Atletico Madrid in 2013.
#4 Paul Pogba

It is an open secret that Real Madrid have had a long-term interest in signing Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba. The Frenchman has been on the club's radar for several years, with former Los Blancos manager Zinedine Zidane admitting in an interview in 2016 that he tried to lure the midfielder to the Santiago Bernabeu.
"He [Pogba] could have come," Zidane replied after being asked about his interest in the 28-year-old.
"There were conversations to try and sign him but it didn't go ahead," the French tactician added.
Nevertheless, Real Madrid haven't given up on their chances of signing Pogba. As it stands, the La Liga giants are keeping a close eye on the midfielder, whose current contract with Manchester United runs out at the end of the season.
#3 Neymar

Neymar joined Barcelona in the summer of 2013 and went forward to enjoy a spectacular spell in the Catalan capital, recording 105 goals and 76 assists to his name in 186 games. He also won multiple trophies, including the Champions League, La Liga, Copa del Rey, UEFA Super Cup and more.
However, had things worked out differently, the attacker could have joined arch-rivals Real Madrid. Los Blancos went very close to luring Neymar to the Santiago Bernabeu during his days at Santos but dropped their interest due to suspected economic reasons.
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez spoke about the failed transfer in 2017, revealing how close the Brazilian came to switching to the Spanish capital.
He said: "Neymar passed a medical with Madrid. We tried for him to come, but we saw at one point that it was not possible and we withdrew (from the deal)."
#2 Kylian Mbappe

This is the most recent account on the list. The 2021 summer transfer window was dominated by rumors that Kylian Mbappe would move from Paris Saint-Germain to Real Madrid.
As PSG sporting director Leonardo confirmed, the attacker made it clear to the club that he wanted to leave in search of greener pastures, with Real Madrid submitting a big-money bid to prise him away. However, the Parisians blocked the move and the player stayed put this season.
Mbappe recently admitted he was keen to join Real Madrid in an interview with French publication L'Equipe via Marca. He said:
"If I had left this summer, it would only have been for Real Madrid. I thought my adventure here was over.
"I wanted something else. I'd been in Ligue 1 for six or seven years, I'd given everything to Paris and had done well. That was my thought, leaving was the next logical step."
#1 Lionel Messi

It sounds weird but it's true that Lionel Messi could've been a Real Madrid player had things worked out differently when he left Argentina to move to Spain along with his family at the age of 13.
The attacker's former agent, Horacio Gaggioli, explained the situation at the time, saying:
"Due to life circumstances, I went to live in Barcelona and I brought him to Barca for a trial. But I was about to live in Madrid.
"If that had happened, I would have taken him to Madrid for a trial. That's life, those are the details. Today, Messi could have been a Real Madrid player, of course.
"The family wanted to come to Spain, to the city where I was to have some support."
According to reports, Real Madrid tried to sign Lionel Messi during his days as a Barcelona player on three occasions but failed. The Argentine finally left Barcelona this summer, joining Paris Saint-Germain on a two-year contract.