Real Madrid is one of the most popular and successful football clubs in the world. The team has a rich history, which includes winning numerous domestic and international titles.
However, like any other football club, Real Madrid has had to sell players from time to time to make way for new signings or to balance the books. In this article, we will take a look at some of the notable players that Real Madrid has sold over the years.
Álvaro Morata
Álvaro Morata is a Spanish striker who played for Real Madrid between 2010 and 2014 and then again between 2016 and 2017. He was one of the most promising young talents in Spain when he first joined Real Madrid’s youth academy in 2008. He made his first-team debut in 2010 but struggled to cement his place in the starting lineup due to fierce competition from other forwards such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, and Gonzalo Higuaín.
After spending two seasons on loan at Juventus, Morata returned to Real Madrid in 2016 but was sold to Chelsea just one year later for a reported fee of €65 million. He went on to score 24 goals in his debut season with Chelsea but struggled to replicate that form in subsequent seasons.
James Rodríguez
James Rodríguez is a Colombian attacking midfielder who played for Real Madrid between 2014 and 2019. He joined the club after an impressive showing at the 2014 World Cup where he won the Golden Boot as the tournament’s top scorer.
Rodríguez had a promising start to his career at Real Madrid, scoring some spectacular goals and helping the team win several titles including two Champions League trophies. However, he fell out of favor with head coach Zinedine Zidane during his second stint at the club and was eventually loaned out to Bayern Munich for two seasons.
In 2019, Rodríguez was sold to Everton for a reported fee of €22 million. He has since become a key player for the Premier League club, scoring some crucial goals and providing assists.
Gonzalo Higuaín
Gonzalo Higuaín is an Argentine striker who played for Real Madrid between 2007 and 2013. He was one of the most prolific goalscorers in Europe during his time at Real Madrid, scoring 121 goals in 264 appearances across all competitions.
However, Higuaín fell out of favor with head coach Carlo Ancelotti during the 2013-14 season and was eventually sold to Napoli for a reported fee of €40 million. He went on to score 91 goals in just three seasons at Napoli before joining Juventus in a record-breaking transfer deal worth €90 million.
Conclusion
Real Madrid has sold many top-quality players over the years, but these three players stand out as some of the most notable ones. While the club may have made a profit from these sales, fans will always wonder what could have been if these players had stayed at the club. Nevertheless, Real Madrid continues to attract world-class talent and remains one of the most successful clubs in football history.