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#4 Xabi Alonso
Following his glittering display for Liverpool in the 2008-09 season, Real Madrid came calling for Xabi Alonso's signature. They bought him for a hefty €34.5m. In the wake of his performance for Los Blancos, it is safe to say that he justified his price tag over the 5 seasons he played for them.
A defensive midfielder by trade, the Spaniard ensured the defensive solidity of Real. He was aggressive when not with the ball and composed when with it. His nonchalance even when succumbed to high pressure made him one of the best footballers ever to play in his position.
He amassed 236 appearances for Real in all competitions and scored 6 goals. He was at the heart of Madrid midfield when they won the 2013-14 Champions League defeating the arch-rivals Atletico Madrid.
Following the arrivals of Kroos and Modric, he decided to join Bayern for a meagre €9m. Less quick but more matured, he replicated his wonderous performance at Bayern and won 3 Bundesliga titles back to back.
Last summer, along with the former Bayern skipper Lahm, he retired from football.
