Real Madrid's 10 biggest failed superstar signings

Although these names were signed with huge expectations, they failed to deliver.

If Europe is the ultimate destination in the world of football, Real Madrid are the champions there. Without even leaving an inch of doubt, it can be stated that Real Madrid CF are the best club in not only the entire of Spain but in all of Europe and the world.

Real Madrid have won 36 LaLiga’s, 15 UEFA Champions League, and five FIFA Club World Cups. In these three biggest club competitions, no club have dared to come close to this record.

Now, other than a sea of fans, and a rich legacy of 122 years the club holds, La Casa Blanca have also reached the feat of being the “Best” for the best players who played for them. The club have been a home of legends, be it today’s greats like Cristiano Ronaldo, Raul, or Sergio Ramos or the legend from yesteryears like Alfredo Di Stéfano. The club have never shied away from signing the superstars and continuing its era of staying the best. 

But, among all these glorious stories, there are some tales of failures too. It’s true that playing for Real Madrid gives great fame, but with this fame comes great pressure. Over the years, we have seen many shine, but some have failed miserably to meet expectations and shine at the great club.

On that note, let’s have a look at the biggest star footballers who failed to make it big while wearing the iconic white jersey.

10. Michael Owen

The former Liverpool legend joined Real Madrid in the summer of 2004, for a fee of 12 million Euros. He was signed with immense expectations, especially after his early years with Liverpool FC, where he played 297 games, scoring 158 goals and providing 49 assists.

But in Real Madrid, he was terrible. He played 45 games in the first year, scoring just 16 goals. Things went so bad that he won no trophies at the Spanish side, and got transferred after a year to Newcastle United. The transfer fee was double, so economically, the move made sense, but the on-field results were sheer disappointment.

9. Samuel Eto’o

The Cameroon-born striker is one of those few players who played for both FC Barcelona and Real Madrid. While he was a legend at Barca, his days at Real Madrid were forgetful. Eto started his European journey with Real Madrid. In the initial stages, he played for Real Madrid B.

But, later he got to play in the first-team. He featured in just seven games and scored no goals. Though he was a teenager back then, Real Madrid didn’t offer him further chances and sold him to RCD Mallorca. From there, Eto went on to sign for Barcelona and became a legendary striker. Eto had 130 goals, and 40 assists in 199 games for Barca.

8. Arjen Robben

Before becoming a Bayern Munich legend, Robben joined Real Madrid from Chelsea in the summer of 2007. The move didn’t go well, and he was transferred to Bayern after two years. While being with the Spanish giants, Robben scored just 13 goals and provided 15 assists in 65 games.

After a mediocre outing here, he left for Bayern Munich, where he attained the status of a legendary player, scoring 144 goals and providing 101 assists in 309 games.

7. James Rodríguez

The ace attacking midfielder was signed from AS Monaco with a lot of hopes and aspirations, for a whooping fee of 75 million Euros. He was only 23 back then, and many speculated that he would have a lovely time in Madrid.

Unfortunately, the joy was short-lived, he played 125 games, scoring 37 goals. He was a part of many titles, but never took centre stage. Though the figure looks good, it clearly didn’t justify the price tag.

6. Luka Jović

The 26-year-old currently plies his trade at AC Milan but is not a regular. The striker was signed in hopes of finding a perfect No. 9 for a huge fee of 63 million Euros. He was signed in the summer of 2019, and went on contract till 2022, though being loaned out since the year before.

Jovic was a disaster at Madrid if stats are concerned. In 51 games he played, he had only three goals and five assists. The talented centre-forward never really shined in any other club than Eintracht Frankfurt. Though he has years left, and with his gifted skills, he might make a name.

5. Jonathan Woodgate

Another English centre-back, Woodgate was like a wall for the Premier League clubs he represented. His time at Leeds United, Middlesbrough FC, and even Tottenham Hotspurs is cherished. But, playing for Real Madrid wasn’t easy.

After getting transferred in for a fee of 18.30 million Euros, Woodgate stayed under contract till 2007. Though, being awful at the backline, he was loaned from 2006 onwards. With Real Madrid, he played in only 14 games and was benched in the rest.

4. David Beckham

One of the most iconic footballers of all time, Beckham was chosen by Real Madrid over Brazil’s Ronaldinho. Clearly, that wasn’t a wise call. The stylish midfielder joined from Manchester United for a mammoth fee of 37.50 million Euros, making fans go gaga.

However, the joy was short-lived. In four years of his stay, he played 159 games, scoring just 20 and assisting 51. In contrast, for Man United he played 390 games, having 206 goal contributions. He didn’t match expectations, while the player he was chosen above became a legend at Barca.

3. Kaká

The Brazilian legend joined Real Madrid for a mammoth 67 million Euros, after ruling Serie A with AC Milan. His entry was cherished but his performance wasn’t. At Real Madrid, he played 120 games, scoring just 29 goals, with 39 assists.

After the mediocre spell, he rejoined AC Milan for free. At AC Milan, he played a total of 307 games, scoring 104 goals, and providing 81 assists.

2. Eden Hazard

Signing Eden Hazard has to be the costliest blunder Florentino Perez did. He was signed for an astonishing 120.80 million Euros, from Chelsea FC. For Chelsea he was a legend, for Real Madrid, he was a nightmare.

At Chelsea, he played in 352 games, scoring 110 and assisting 85 goals. At Madrid, he played just 76 games, scoring only seven goals, and 12 assists. Hazard majorly remained out with injuries, and was having fitness issues. He was brutally trolled by the fans, left in 2023, without a club, and eventually retired.

1. Kylian Mbappe

Signing Kylian Mbappe didn’t feel like a smart decision for Real Madrid, especially when they are already having top forwards like Vinicus Jr., and Rodrygo. After winning the LaLiga, and Champions League last year, they finally secured their four-season long dream of signing Kylian Mbappe, that too on a free from Paris Saint Germain.

But, as things stand, it’s not looking great. The French forward barely has any goal from open play, especially from outside the box. He has only one goal in the Champions League so far, and six in the LaLiga. The stats shall improve, but it looks like a tactical mistake to have Mbappe at Real Madrid. All the Spanish giants needed was a perfect No. 9, but they opted for him who is more comfortable making runs from the wings.

Misunderstandings might occur with Vinicius Jr, and his habit of falling into off-side traps needs to be fixed fast. Otherwise, Real Madrid wouldn’t be able to defend any of their silverware.

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