Real Madrid have signed Jude Bellingham, the second most expensive player in club history. But where will the Englishman place himself in terms of performance? SPOX provides an overview: The royal record transfers are checked.
Real Madrid have had one or two galactic transfers in the past. But who are the most expensive players in club history – and how did they fare?
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Nicolas Anelka
Came from Arsenal in 2000 for €35m
Anelka didn’t find his form for a season, but still got the Champions League and then brought the money back with his move to Paris. grade: 4
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Arjen Robben
Came from Chelsea in 2007 for €35m
Thumbs up? Rather not. Dealt with injuries and never really felt comfortable in Madrid. Brought in 25 million euros in 2009 and then became a legend at Bayern. grade: 5
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Karim Benzema
Came from Olympique Lyon for €35m in 2009
Long overshadowed by Cristiano Ronaldo, but still consistently delivered world-class performances. After the CR7 change, he became the most important offensive player and secured the royal triumph in the Champions League in 2022 with important goals. In 2023 he moved to Saudi Arabia on a free transfer. Note 1.
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Luke Modric
Came from Tottenham in 2012 for €35m
It doesn’t need a lot of words. One of the best players in club history, one of the best of his generation. A bargain in retrospect. Note 1.
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Thibaut Courtois
Came from Chelsea in 2018 for €35m
The first legitimate Casillas successor? At the beginning with small problems. Showed what he can do, especially in the last two years. Won the 2022 CL final almost single-handedly with important saves. Grade: 2.
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David Beckham
Came from Manchester United in 2003 for €37.5m
71 goal participations in 159 missions, but above all a galactic next to the field. Brought a lot of glamor to the club and was worth every penny for that alone. Grade: 2.
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matthew kovacic
Came from Inter Milan in 2015 for €38m
Should be the successor to Luka Modric, but never prevailed. After all, Real got a fee of 45 million euros from Chelsea for him in 2019. grade: 4
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Ronaldo
Came from Inter Milan in 2002 for €45m
Ronaldo, the first. Was “only” involved in a goal every 99.6 minutes for Real and occasionally injured. But he was also much more than a pure striker. Il Fenomeno was an elemental force and an absolute legend in Madrid. Grade: 2.
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Vinícius Junior
Came from Flamengo in 2018 for €45m
It took some time to get started, but it seems to have finally arrived. Has already played 225 competitive games for Real at the age of 22 and has 59 goals and 64 assists. It also seems to be getting better every year. Rating: 1.5.
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Rodrygo
Came from FC Santos in 2019 for 45 million euros
More downs than ups so far, but has caught on recently. Especially in the Champions League with some important goals. In the shadow of Vinícius or other players but not so outstanding and rather average. Grade: 3.5.
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Ferland Mendy
Came from Olympique Lyon for €48m in 2019
Has pushed Real legend Marcelo from his regular place, but is offensively much more harmless than his predecessor. Defensively a solid option for a high price. He also struggles with injuries from time to time. Grade: 3.5.
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Éder Militao
Came from FC Porto in 2019 for 50 million euros
For a long time only a follower, has then blossomed into a regular player. Certainly not one of the really great defenders, but CL winners in 2022. There are worse investments, but still a tad too expensive. Note 3.
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Luis Figo
Came from Barcelona in 2000 for 60 million euros
Sportingly a legend at both Barça and Real – you have to create it first. Emotionally only a welcome guest in Madrid. There, however, beyond any doubt. Grade: 2.
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Luka Jovic
Came from Eintracht Frankfurt in 2019 for 63 million euros
Never prevailed in Madrid and disappointed even on his SGE return on loan. According to transfermarkt.de, it is only worth eight million euros and is now playing at AC Florence. grade: 6
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Kaka
Came from AC Milan in 2009 for €67m
Still world footballer in 2007, shortly afterwards the crash in Madrid. Injuries threw him back, he never found his old strength. 2013 the free return to Milan. grade: 5
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James Rodriguez
Came from AS Monaco in 2014 for €75m
Didn’t fail because of performance, but because of exaggerated expectations after a great World Cup in 2014. At least 79 goals in 125 appearances, but in the end just bench pressers. Note 3.
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Zinedine Zidane
Came from Juventus in 2001 for €77.5m
Perhaps the most galactic of the galactic. Unforgettable lightness. So galactic that many forget that he often let his legs dangle in the tough everyday life. Memories of Zidane often concern the important games in which he mostly delivered. In addition, he often fell short of his potential. Grade: 2.5.
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Aurelien Tchouameni
Came from AS Monaco in 2022 for €80m
Already made 50 appearances in his debut year and showed that he can become one of the successors of Toni Kroos and Luka Modric in midfield. Real will probably bring a lot of joy. Grade: 2.
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Cristiano Ronaldo
Came from Manchester United in 2009 for €94m
Ronaldo, the second. Multiple world footballer, collected records after records, became a club icon and got his fee back several times – not least when Juve changed at the right time. Note 1.
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Gareth Bale
Came from Tottenham in 2013 for €101m
Involved in 173 goals in 258 games. Man for big moments and finals – Copa del Rey vs Barca, Champions League vs Atlético and Liverpool. Even the quarreling ending is only a minimal cloud. Bale’s time in Madrid is underestimated in many places. Grade: 2.5.
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Jude Bellingham
Came from Borussia Dortmund in 2023 for 103 million euros
Will the Englishman prevail in Real Madrid’s already crowded midfield? The advance praise is huge, now Bellingham has to deliver. No rating yet.
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Eden Hazard
Came from Chelsea in 2019 for 115 million euros
The Belgian is one of the biggest flops in football history. Still a top star in the Blues, he never got on form in Madrid. Even teammate Toni Kroos gave a swipe in June 2023: “We now also had someone who came for a lot of money and basically let his career rest,” he said in his podcast Simply mal Luppen in view of the high transfer fee Bellingham cost – and obviously meant Hazard. grade: 6
2023-07-09 14:20:36
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