Real Madrid rarely plunged into the British talent pool during the transfer The market but some of our superstars have been too irresistible for the world’s largest club.
It is rare that the English, Scottish and Welsh players – no international in Northern Ireland has put on the sparkling shirt of LOS blancos – exchange the comfort of the house for the blinding lights of the Santiago Bernabeu, but many have traveled this path at the professional time.
People courageous enough to take the plunge have experienced mixed success degrees under hard spots, with the implacable pressure to represent Spanish giants too much to bear for some.
Here are the eight British who played for Madrid – of course classified.
In July 2007, Jonathan Woodgate was elected the worst signature of the 21st century following a survey led by the Spanish publication Marca. That said almost everything.
“Start as you want to continue” obviously missed the central defender’s phrases’ book. Having missed all of his first season thanks to an injury, Woodgate finally made his debut against Athletic Club at the start of his second mandate, but there was no return of its own goal and a red card on his Arc de Madrid.
He only made 14 appearances for white Los before returning to England with his tail between his legs.
The fate of Michael Owen in the Spanish capital was shorter than that of Woodgate but certainly more successful. He only had one season with Madrid, although the harm in establishing himself as a regular among the Galacticos.
Despite 16 goals in 45 appearances after his passage from the Liverpool childhood club, Owen failed to usurp the attackers of the Superstar Raul and Ronaldo, finally accepting his fate and returning to Great Britain.
He is one of the few players to have represented Madrid and did not win any silverware with the club.
Caroline Weir was forced to wait for her move to Real Madrid Femenino. Beginning her career with Hibernian, she then moved to England and appreciated spells with Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City. But in 2022, she simply could not resist the attraction of Spain.
A long LCA injury hampered its progress in the capital, but Weir has fallen its muscles in role number ten for Madrid. Always exercising his business for the second best Liga F resistance, the Scottish international awaits his first trophy with Las Blancas.
Despite one of the most glamorial signatures of Galacticos The modern era and history of Madrid, the fate of David Beckham with the club was not an unequivocal success. Its commercial value could never be questioned, but it has not always been able to reproduce its Manchester United shape in Spain.
He ended his time in Madrid with 159 appearances, 20 goals and 51 assists and was crucial in the triumph of the Liga 2006/07 under Fabio Capello, but there remains a feeling that his passage in Spain was slightly disappointing – although he was not always by his own fault.
Laurie Cunningham was the first Briton to represent Madrid after his arrival at the club in 1979. He helped them guide them to La Liga and Copa Del Rey Glory in his first season, but injuries hampered his ability to make a difference on the big stage.
He almost raised the European Cup, but Madrid was beaten 1-0 by Liverpool in the 1980/81 final, fitness problems continuing to afflict the international in England before its permanent release in 1984.
The winger tragically died at the age of 33 following a car accident during his second fate with Rayo Vallecano.
15 years have passed between the last appearance of Madrid from Cunningham and Steve McManaman signed for the Spanish titans, with the fast winger arriving after nine years with Liverpool. He became the second Briton to wear the legendary white jersey.
Despite a slow start of life in Spain, McManaman finally won the hearts of supporters of Madrid for a tumultuous period for the club off the field. The relations of England International and telepathic relations with Roberto Carlos on the left flank helped the club succeeded in immense success at the turn of the century.
McManaman won two Champions League titles – marking in the 2000 final – and as many liga crowns in four years in Bernabeu.
Few people could have predicted that Jude Bellingham settled as quickly as in the Bernabeu. After his arrival from Borussia Dortmund in 2023, the midfielder quickly became a clutch artist for Madrid on the biggest stages.
Playing with the confidence and consistency of someone ten years older, the young Englishman conquered the supporters of Madrid with an end -of -account and decisive tour at the national level and in Europe. He was crucial in the liga and the triumphs of the Champions League during his first campaign.
The sky remains the limit for Bellingham, which can enter the pantheon of the great of Madrid comes at the end of his career.
Although never held in the same consideration as his peers beating in the world, the legacy of Gareth Bale in Madrid cannot be questioned. The Welshman may have appreciated golf more than football during his stay in Spain, but he nevertheless helped Los Blancos to dominate Europe in the late 2010s.
He won 15 trophies in nine years in Madrid, including three Liga crowns and five Champions League titles, even scoring the biggest goal in the history of the latter with his amazing whim in the 2017/18 final.
Benefiting from a majestic left foot and a ridiculous athletics, Bale simply could not be stopped at his best.
