Real Madrid is known for its knack for securing high-profile players and star-packed squads, their long affiliation with South American and European talents has given little room for African players.
Los Blancos apart, the league isn’t known to have a strong tradition of African players plying their trade in the league unlike the Premier League and Ligue 1. However, that still can’t take away the fact that some of the continent’s finest players have once in their career graced the Spanish top flight.
With Real Madrid arguably the best club in Spain, ever wondered how many African players have donned the Spanish giant jersey?
Who are the greatest African players to represent Real Madrid?
1. Achraf Hakimi
The Morocco international came through the youth rank of Real Madrid but couldn’t make his senior debut until 2016 at the International Champions Cup against Paris Saint Germain, before also featuring for Los Blancos in the 2017-18 UEFA Champions League.
With Dani Carvajal preferred at fullback in the Real Madrid team, the Moroccan was sent on loan to Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga where he went on to become one of the best fullbacks in world football.
Though his currently plying his trade in Ligue 1 with Paris Saint Germain, however, he’s one of the African players who once experienced the spectacle of the Santiago Bernabeu.
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2. Samuel Eto’o
Samuel Eto’o is arguably the best African player ever to graced the Spanish top-flight throughout his entire stay in Spain with Real Madrid where he had a brief stint before he left for Real Mallorca and Barcelona.
The four-time African Player of the Year only made 30 appearances for Los Blancos and scored four goals, before he was allowed to sign for Real Mallorca in 2000 where he made a decisive contribution.
The Cameroonian did achieve quite an impressive success in Spain but not with Real Madrid, but it will be well-dated in football history that the former Chelsea forward also played for the Spanish giant.
3. Mohamedou Diarra
Following the departure of Claude Makelele, Los Blancos went in search of another domineering defensive midfielder, and thankfully they were able to bring the Malian international from Olympique Lyon in 2006.
Following his move to Real Madrid, he brought back tough-tackling, aggression, tactical positioning, and the box-to-box vibes that the team was missing since the Frenchman left the Santiago Bernabeu.
Diarra won two La Liga titles, Supercopa de Espana and Copa de Rey in 2011 before he left for Monaco to play in the same league he left to join Real Madrid.
4. Geremi Njitap
While Real Madrid’s Galacticos project is centered around big stars in the team, there are also brilliant players in the team that often play their heart out for the progress of the team and one of those players is a former Cameroonian international.
Geremi made 45 league appearances for Los Blancos during his four-year spell in Madrid, although he was never a consistent first-team player he was regarded as one of Vicente Del Bosque’s trusted legs.
Before he left Madrid he won two Champions League trophies, one La Liga title, and the Supercopa de Espana and surprisingly he was nominated for the Ballon d’Or award in 2000 having had a brilliant season at the club and international level.
5. Michael Essien
Essien will no doubt go down history lane as one of the African greatest midfielders, what he won at the club level and most importantly how brilliant he often marshaled his team’s midfield when on the pitch.
The former Chelsea star was a late arrival in La Liga, joining Real Madrid to reunite with his former boss Jose Mourinho after they’ve both conquered the English Premier League with the Blues.
After joining Los Blancos he didn’t have quite an impressive impact with the team due to injuries, however, he was able to muster 21 appearances and scored two goals for the Spanish giant.
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6. Emmanuel Adebayor
Samuel Eto’o isn’t the only African finest striker that graced the Spanish top-flight with his goalscoring ability, the former Arsenal frontman also had a brief loan stint in La Liga with Real Madrid.
Though the former Togolese international didn’t enjoy the kind of fan support he had at Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspurs, and Manchester City at the Santiago Bernabeu due to his short stint, he did savor the experience of playing for the best club in Spain as an African player in 2011 with only 14 appearances.
7. Javier Balboa
Balboa’s name may not be as renowned as that of Raul Gonzalez at the Santiago Bernabeu, but the former Equatorial Guinea captain will be remembered for his important goal in the UEFA Champions League against Olympiacos in 2007.
He was signed by Real Madrid Castilla in 2005 and was unable to play in the main team due to the arrears of stars in the team, but in 2007 he was summoned and he instantly made an impressive impact before he was loaned to Racing Santander.
8. Valdo Lopes
Valdo is a former Cape Verde international who also had the privilege of donning the white jersey of Real Madrid during his career even though it wasn’t for a long time.
The Villabino-born couldn’t get his national team call-up until he was aged 30, but thereafter he was part of the squad that played the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualifications for Cape Verde.
He played for Real Madrid Castilla and also the main team during the 2001-02 season, where he received his first opportunities in La Liga, Copa de Rey, and the UEFA Champions League.
9. Mutiu Adepoju
Looking at the profile of African players that played for Los Blancos, former Super Eagles star Adepoju can be said to be one the prominent names, though he couldn’t feature for the main team, however, he did play for the Castilla.
He also thrived with other teams during his playing career at Salamanca, Real Sociedad, and Racing Santander throughout his stay in Spain.
Adepoju may not have featured prominently for Real Madrid on the biggest of stages, but when the conversation about African players who played for Los Merengues comes up, he will make the list.
