- Real Madrid is arguably the most successful team in the world over the years with famous players playing for the Spanish giants.
- This summer Real Madrid have acquired the signing of Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund.
- We take a look at the best English players to play for the 14 Champions League winners.
Real Madrid is arguably the most successful team in the world over the years with famous players playing for the Spanish giants.
This summer Real Madrid have acquired the signing of Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund.
We take a look at the best English players to play for the 14 Champions League winners.
Laurie Cunningham
Laurie Cunningham. Photo/footballwhispers
After making an impression on the Spanish team with his efforts for West Brom in Europe, Laurie Cunningham became the first English footballer to play for Real Madrid.
Cunningham had an immediate impact on Spanish football after being acquired by Real Madrid for £950,000 in 1979. In his debut season, he scored 12 goals as Los Blancos won the La Liga and Copa del Rey double.
When Barcelona defeated Real Madrid 2-0 in the 1980 El Clásico at Camp Nou, Cunningham earned a standing ovation from the home crowd in recognition of his outstanding performance in Catalonia.
On the wing, Cunningham dazzled with his intricate and thrilling brand of game, but injuries destroyed his latter club career. As he lost favor, he had loan stints at Manchester United and Sporting Gijon before making a permanent transfer to Marseille in 1984. He appeared in 66 games and scored 20 goals for Real Madrid.
Cunningham later passed away at the age of 33 in a vehicle accident in Madrid while on the field with Rayo Vallecano.
Steve McManaman
Steve McManaman decided on a new endeavor as a result of Liverpool’s deterioration during the first ten years of the Premier League era.
When his contract at Liverpool expired, McManaman went for Real Madrid on a free transfer and quickly rose to become one of the finest exports of British football. During a distinguished career in Spanish football, the midfielder won two La Liga championships, two Champions League medals, the UEFA Super Cup, and the Spanish Super Cup.
McManaman’s first season in Spain came to a fitting conclusion as his side defeated Valencia in the Champions League final thanks to a brilliant scissor kick he scored. He was named man-of-the-match in Paris, making him the first Englishman to triumph with a non-English team.
During the club’s Galacticos period, he rose to prominence at the Bernabeu, playing alongside players like Zinedine Zidane, Luis Figo, Raul, and Cristiano Ronaldo. In 2002, McManaman won his second Champions League trophy as Real Madrid defeated Bayer Leverkusen at Hampden Park.
David Beckham
David Beckham. Photo/Sky Sports
The England captain became a “Galactico” in 2003, becoming David Beckham the most recent valued acquisition in Real Madrid’s extraordinary hiring spree in the early 2000s.
During his stellar time at Manchester United, Beckham amassed six Premier League championships. The midfielder was also recognized as the most creative force in the league. For Real Madrid—a team known for its glitter and glamour—who wanted to be a part of it, Brand Beckham was maybe even more alluring than his indisputable brilliance.
Despite having little success on the field, Beckham won over the Spanish fans with his tireless work ethic, danger from set pieces, and passing range. Over the course of four seasons, Beckham made 155 appearances for Real Madrid, and in his last season, he won the La Liga championship.
Beckham’s application saw him recover favor after Fabio Capello had frozen him out due to his plan to join the Los Angeles Galaxy at the conclusion of the season. He then played a significant role in the team’s 2006–07 title victory.
Michael Owen
Michael Owen. Photo/90Mins
In the summer of 2004, Michael Owen left Liverpool for Real Madrid, joining fellow countryman David Beckham at the Bernabeu.
After Stanley Matthews, Bobby Charlton, and Kevin Keegan, Owen was the fourth Englishman to win the Ballon d’Or when he arrived in Spain with 158 goals in 297 appearances for Liverpool in all competitions.
Real Madrid took advantage of Owen’s contract predicament to capture him in a move at a discount for under £8 million and Antonio Nez in return.
Although Owen performed admirably during his brief stay in Spain, Raul and Ronaldo’s presence made it difficult for him to establish himself as a regular starter. He finished the season with the greatest minutes-to-goals ratio in the team after scoring 13 league goals, including Real Madrid’s fourth in a 4-2 victory over Barcelona.
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