Five of the best players to have played for Real Madrid and PSG | OneFootball

Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain renew rivalries this week, a clash between European football’s most successful side and a very modern superpower.

The two teams go head-to-head in the FIFA Club World Cup semi-finals tonight, with a place in Sunday’s decider at stake.

Some illustrious names have represented both clubs in the modern era and we’ve decided to celebrate some of the best.

Ahead of their meeting, we look at five of the best players to have played for both Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain.

Five who played for both: Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain

Claude Makelele

Described as the engine of Real Madrid by former teammate Zinedine Zidane, Claude Makelele was the under-appreciated glue holding together the club’s Galactico side of the early 2000s.

The France international signed for Real Madrid from Celta Vigo and enjoyed a successful spell in the Spanish capital, making 140 appearances and winning two La Liga titles and the Champions League.

He was allowed to leave for a billionaire-backed Chelsea as Real Madrid made room for the arrival of David Beckham, a decision Los Blancos regretted as the club went three seasons without a La Liga trophy.

Makelele starred as Chelsea emerged as a dominant force in the Premier League, winning back-to-back titles under the management of Jose Mourinho and providing the defensive screen that allowed the likes of Frank Lampard and Michael Essien to flourish.

After five seasons with Chelsea he ended his career with a spell at Paris Saint-Germain, helping the Parisians to Coupe de France success in 2009/10 before the club’s transformative takeover.

David Beckham

David Beckham became Real Madrid’s latest Galactico signing after joining from Manchester United, the midfielder joining an extensive list of superstar signings that included Luis Figo, Zinedine Zidane and Ronaldo.

Beckham had become one of the most recognisable people on the planet during his time in England, winning six league titles and the Champions League among his 10 major trophies at Old Trafford.

The former England captain’s time with Real Madrid failed to provide the success first anticipated, however, his sole honour coming in his final season with the club as Los Blancos won La Liga in 2006/07.

Beckham made 155 appearances for Real Madrid and scored 20 goals before departing for MLS, signing for LA Galaxy.

His time with the American side included loan returns to Europe, twice with AC Milan before he finished his career with a short spell at Paris Saint-Germain.

He made 14 appearances for the French side and added a Ligue 1 winners’ medal to his extensive collection of silverware.

Angel Di Maria

Angel Di Maria enjoyed a fine period in the all-white colours of Spain’s most successful side.

Di Maria signed for Real Madrid from Benfica in a €25m deal in 2010 and soon became an important figure in the side, providing creativity and goal threat from wide.

He scored 36 goals and provided 85 assists in 190 appearances for Los Blancos, winning a La Liga title, two Copa del Rey trophies, a Champions League and the UEFA Super Cup.

The Argentina international was surprisingly allowed to leave following the club’s La Decima triumph in 2013/14, signing for Manchester United in a British transfer record deal.

The move proved ill-fated, however, and he signed for PSG after just one season in England. In Paris, the winger rediscovered his best form. Across six seasons he won 19 trophies and holds the records for the most assists in club history, and the most assists in a single season.

Sergio Ramos

One of the greatest players in Real Madrid’s history, Sergio Ramos was the leader behind a golden period at the Bernabeu.

Ramos spent 15 seasons with Real Madrid and made 671 appearances, with only three players having ever represented the Spanish side on more occasions.

His list of accolades includes five league titles and four Champions League trophies, forging a reputation as a big-game player with goals in Champions League final wins over Atletico Madrid in 2014 and 2016.

Ramos – the most capped Spanish footballer of all-time with 180 appearances for La Roja – brought an end to his career with Real Madrid in 2021, signing for PSG on a free transfer.

He made 58 appearances over two seasons, scoring six times, and won back-to-back Ligue 1 titles.

Kylian Mbappe

Kylian Mbappe will face his former side tonight with a score to settle.

After an exhilarating emergence at AS Monaco, Mbappe moved to Paris Saint-Germain for a fee of £163m to become the second-most expensive footballer ever in 2017. Despite the huge fee, the French forward lived up to expectations during a record-breaking spell in Paris.

He scored a club-record 256 goals in 308 games for the Parisians, during a period that delivered six Ligue 1 titles, six leading scorer accolades, and five Ligue 1 Player of the Year awards.

A phenomenal period came to a close in 2024, when Mbappe departed for Real Madrid on a free transfer.

Though his debut season ended without the team honours craved, on a personnel level Mbappe thrived. He netted 44 goals in all competitions in 2024/25 and won the European Golden Shoe for the first time.

Read – Five of the best players to play for both Liverpool and Inter Milan

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