Real Madrid are rarely in the British talent pool during the transfer Market, but some of our superstars have proven to be too irresistible for the largest club in the world.
It is rare that English, Scottish and Welsh players – no Northern Ireland -national player attracted the shiny shirt of Los Blancos – has the comfort of home against the dazzling lights of the Santiago Bernabeus, but several have run this path in the professional era.
Those who are brave enough to take the jump have mixed levels of success under the hard ramp light with the relentless pressure to represent the Spanish giants too much in order to be too much for some.
Here are the eight British who played for Madrid – of course classified.
In July 2007, Jonathan Woodgate was chosen for the worst signing of the 21st century after a survey of Spanish publication Marca. That says pretty much everything.
“Start as you want” was obviously missing in the phrase book of the Center-Back. After Woodgate missed the entirety of his first season by injury, he finally made his debut against the Athletic Club at the beginning of his second term, but there was no return from his own goal and a red card on his Madrid arch.
He only made 14 appearances for Los Blancos before returning to England with his cock between his legs.
Michael Owen’s magic in the Spanish capital was shorter than Woodgates, but certainly more successful. He only managed one season with Madrid, although he tried to establish himself as a regular guest Galacticos.
Despite 16 goals in 45 appearances after moving from the Boyhood Club Liverpool, Owen, the superstar striker Raul and Ronaldo, did not fail to use Uurp, and finally accepted his fate and returned to Great Britain.
He is one of the few players who have represented Madrid and did not win silver with the club.
Caroline Weir had to wait for her move to Real Madrid Femenino. She started her career at Hibernian, then moved to England and enjoyed spells with Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City. But in 2022 she simply couldn’t resist Spain.
A long ACL injury has hindered its progress in the capital, but Weir built her muscles in number ten role for Madrid. The Scotland International, who is still pursuing her trade for League FS, is the second best outfit, awaits her first trophy with Las Blancas.
Although it is one of the most glamorous obligations of the Galacticos Era and Madrid’s modern history, David Beckham’s spell with the club was not a clear success. His commercial value could never be questioned, but he could not repeat his form of Manchester United in Spain.
He ended his time in Madrid with 159 appearances, 20 goals and 51 templates and was of crucial importance in the triumph of the La Liga from 2006/07 under Fabio Capello, but it remains the feeling that his stay in Spain was slightly overwhelming – although not always due to his own fault.
Laurie Cunningham was the first British who ever represented Madrid after his arrival at the club in 1979. He helped her to La Liga and Copa del Rey Glory in his first season, but injuries hindered his ability to change something on the big stage.
He took the European trophy close, but Madrid was beaten 1-0 by Liverpool in the 1980/81 final, whereby the fitness problems continued to plagge the English international before he was pending in 1984.
The winger died tragically at the age of 33 after a car accident during his second spell with Rayo Vallecano.
15 years passed between Cunningham’s last Madrid appearance and Steve McManaman, who signed for the Spanish titans, whereby the fast winger arrived in childhood after nine years. He was just the second Brit, who wore the legendary white jersey.
Despite a slow start in Spain, McManaman won the hearts of Madrid supporters during a turbulent time for club from the field. The aim and the telepathic relationship between the English international and Roberto Carlos in the left flank gave the club extremely success at the turn of the century.
McManaman won two Champions League titles – in the 2000 final achieved in Bernabeu for four years.
Few could have predicted that Jude Bellingham would settle as quickly as in Bernabeu. After he arrived from Borussia Dortmund in 2023, the midfielder quickly became a clutch performer for Madrid in the largest stages.
The young Englishman played with the self -confidence and consistency of someone who has his senior for ten years, and won Madrid supporters with a number of late and decisive goals both in Germany and in Europe. During his debut campaign, he was of crucial importance in La Liga and Champions League.
The sky remains the border for Bellingham, which can enter the Pantheon of Madrid sizes at the end of his career.
While Gareth Bale’s legacy in Madrid in Madrid is never taken in the same consideration as his global colleagues. During his time in Spain, the Welsh may have enjoyed golf more than football, but he still helped Los Blancos to dominate Europe at the end of 2010.
In nine years in Madrid, he won 15 trophies, including three crowns by La Liga and five Champions League titles and even scored the biggest goal in the history of the latter with his amazing kick in the 2017/18 final.
Bale had a majestic left foot and a ridiculous athletics and just couldn’t be stopped at its best best.