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Real Madrid are arguably one of the biggest football clubs today, and this is a position they've consolidated for decades. Their influence is far-reaching and spans across every habitable continent in the world. Los Blancos' dominance in European football has been massive for decades.
Much of that dominance has been due to their business in the transfer market, with Real Madrid often spending big to retain their status. While some signings have been shrewd, Florentino Perez's Galacticos policy ensured that money was massively spent to recruit world-class players.
Perez popularized the Galacticos ideology during his first presidency. However, the origins of bringing world-class stars to the Bernabeu can be traced back to the 1950s. Real Madrid notably signed players like Alfredo di Stefano, Ferenc Puskas, Francisco Gento and Jose Santamaria at the time.
In the 21st century, the club have seen their fair share of galacticos. Real Madrid have efficiently assembled a star-studded squad, but not all signings have been influential for the club. Players like Eden Hazard have struggled to hold on to their world-class status, essentially incurring financial losses for Los Blancos.
So without further ado, let's take a look at five of the most influential signings at the Santiago Bernabeu in the 21st century:
#5 Luka Modric
Real Madrid splashed €34 million to snatch Luka Modric from Tottenham Hotspur in 2012. Modric initially struggled to perform, eventually being labeled the worst signing of the season. However, it was just a temporary setback for the Croatian, who quickly developed into one of the most significant midfielders in the world.
Modric has aided Los Blancos in their pursuit of continental domination, winning 16 trophies along the way, including three back-to-back Champions League titles. With his brilliant performances in midfield, Modric also broke the Ballon d'Or duopoly established by Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Croatian won the award in 2018 after leading Croatia to the FIFA World Cup final and winning the Champions League with Real Madrid.
#4 Sergio Ramos
Sergio Ramos is perhaps one of Real Madrid's greatest ever signings. Joining the club in 2005 from Sevilla on a record €27 million fee, the talisman grew to become the undisputed best defender in the world for over a decade.
Although Ramos now plays for Paris Saint-Germain, the former Real Madrid leader led Los Blancos through one of their most successful eras.
Ramos has unsurprisingly won every major trophy with Real Madrid, including multiple Champions League titles and La Liga trophies. The centre-back played 671 games for Real Madrid and scored 101 goals before moving to Paris. Ramos will always be a legend in the eyes of Madridistas.
#3 Zinedine Zidane
When Real Madrid dished out €77.5 million to bring Zinedine Zidane to the Santiago Bernabeu from Juventus in 2001, it was the talk of world football.
Zidane had won the World Cup and European Championship, and he fit the Galacticos mentality perfectly. It was an unbelievable, world-record transfer for the biggest player in the world. While Real Madrid weren't at their best as a whole at the time, Zidane won the hearts of Madridistas with his amazing performances.
It's little surprise that he returned as a manager and catapulted Real Madrid back to glory with renewed dominance. Zidane helped the club win three back-to-back Champions League titles between 2016 and 2018.
The star is currently unemployed in football management. However, there's no telling if he might return to the Santiago Bernabeu as he has done twice now. One of the best players and one of the best managers in the same person, Zidane is an influential enigma.
#2 Luis Figo
Rarely does a player make the switch from the Camp Nou to the Santiago Bernabeu. But Florentino Perez wasn't joking about the distances he was willing to go for his galacticos. Luis Figo is recognized as the first massive transfer in the Florentino era, with the star making the shocking switch and excelling in his new home.
It wasn't a cheap transfer for Los Blancos to make, seeing as the Ballon d'Or winner came from a rival club. A record €62 million in 2002 guided Barcelona's unhappy agreement to the deal.
After playing for the Catalans for five years, Figo spent five more at Real Madrid where he won seven trophies, including three continental honors.
#1 Cristiano Ronaldo
When Real Madrid paid Manchester United €94 million to facilitate Cristiano Ronaldo's transfer to the Santiago Bernabeu, it broke the world record. However, the Portuguese maestro paid back his Galactico fee over and over again with some of the best performances the world has ever seen.
Ronaldo eventually moved to Juventus from Real Madrid in 2018 and is now back with Manchester United. However, the star broke countless records during his time at the Santiago Bernabeu and is Real Madrid's all-time top-scorer with 451 goals from 438 matches. Ronaldo also won four Champions League titles and three Club World Cups with the club as well as two La Ligas.
Ronaldo's astonishing goalscoring prowess, combined with all the trophies he won at Madrid, make him the most influential signing in Real Madrid's recent history. The 36-year-old is viewed by many as Los Blancos' greatest signing of all-time as well, with good reason.
