The best British players to ever play for Real Madrid - ranked | OneFootball

Real Madrid have seldom dipped into the British talent pool during the transfer market but some of our superstars have proven too irresistible for the world's biggest club.

It's rare that English, Scottish and Welsh players - no Northern Ireland international has donned the gleaming shirt of Los Blancos - trade the comfort of home for the blinding lights of the Santiago Bernabeu, but several have walked that path in the professional era.

Those brave enough to take the plunge have enjoyed mixed degrees of success under the harsh spotlight, with the unrelenting pressure of representing the Spanish behemoths too much to bear for some.

Here are the eight Brits who have played for Madrid - ranked, of course.

8. Jonathan Woodgate

Jonathan Woodgate's spell in Spain was disastrous / Denis Doyle/GettyImages

In July 2007, Jonathan Woodgate was voted the worst signing of the 21st century following a poll led by Spanish publication Marca. That pretty much says it all. 'Start as you mean to go on' was evidently missing from the centre-back's phrase book. Having missed the entirety of his first season through injury, Woodgate eventually made his debut against Athletic Club at the beginning of his second term, but there was no coming back from an own goal and red card on his Madrid bow. He made just 14 appearances for Los Blancos before returning to England with his tail between his legs.

7. Michael Owen

Michael Owen lasted just one year in Madrid / Denis Doyle/GettyImages

Michael Owen's spell in the Spanish capital was shorter than Woodgate's but certainly more successful. He managed just one season with Madrid, albeit struggling to establish himself as a regular among the Galacticos. Despite 16 goals in 45 appearances following his switch from boyhood club Liverpool, Owen failed to usurp superstar forwards Raul and Ronaldo, eventually accepting his fate and returning to Britain. He's one of the few players to have represented Madrid and not won any silverware with the club.

Caroline Weir is still playing for Real Madrid Femenino / Diego Souto/GettyImages

Caroline Weir was forced to wait for her move to Real Madrid Femenino. Starting her career with Hibernian, she subsequently moved to England and enjoyed spells with Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City. But in 2022, she simply couldn't resist the lure of Spain. A lengthy ACL injury has hampered her progress in the capital but Weir has flexed her muscles in the number ten role for Madrid. Still plying her trade for Liga F's second-best outfit, the Scotland international awaits her first trophy with Las Blancas.

5. David Beckham

A key member of the Galacticos / Shaun Botterill/GettyImages

Despite being one of the most glamorous signings of the Galacticos era and Madrid's modern history, David Beckham's spell with the club was not an unequivocal success. His commercial value could never be questioned, but he wasn't always able to replicate his Manchester United form in Spain.He finished his time in Madrid with 159 appearances, 20 goals and 51 assists and was crucial in the 2006/07 La Liga triumph under Fabio Capello, but there remains a sense that his stint in Spain was slightly underwhelming - albeit not always through any fault of his own.

4. Laurie Cunningham

Laurie Cunningham was the first Brit to play for Madrid / Getty Images/GettyImages

Laurie Cunningham was the first Brit to ever represent Madrid after arriving at the club in 1979. He helped guide them to La Liga and Copa del Rey glory in his first season, but injuries hindered his ability to make a difference on the big stage. He came close to lifting the European Cup but Madrid were beaten 1-0 by Liverpool in the 1980/81 final, with fitness issues continuing to plague the England international prior to his permanent exit in 1984. The winger tragically died aged 33 following a car accident during his second spell with Rayo Vallecano.

3. Steve McManaman

Steve McManaman made a sizeable impact in Madrid / Gary M. Prior/GettyImages

15 years passed between Cunningham's last Madrid appearance and Steve McManaman signing for the Spanish titans, with the speedy winger arriving after nine years with boyhood side Liverpool. He became just the second Brit to wear the fabled white jersey. Despite a slow start to life in Spain, McManaman eventually won the hearts of Madrid supporters during a tumultuous period for club off the pitch. The England international's endeavour and telepathic relationship with Roberto Carlos down the left flank helped the club achieve immense success at the turn of the century. McManaman won two Champions League titles - scoring in the 2000 final - and as many La Liga crowns during four years at the Bernabeu.

2. Jude Bellingham

Jude Bellingham took no time to adjust in Spain / Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/GettyImages

Few could have predicted Jude Bellingham would settle as quickly as he did at the Bernabeu. After arriving from Borussia Dortmund in 2023, the midfielder swiftly became a clutch performer for Madrid on the grandest stages. Playing with the confidence and consistency of someone ten years his senior, the young Englishman won over Madrid supporters with a raft of late and decisive goals both domestically and in Europe. He was crucial in La Liga and Champions League triumphs during his debut campaign. The sky remains the limit for Bellingham, who can enter the pantheon of Madrid greats come the end of his career.

1. Gareth Bale

Gareth Bale won plenty in Spain / Anadolu/GettyImages

While never held in the same regard as his world-beating peers, Gareth Bale's legacy at Madrid cannot be questioned. The Welshman may have enjoyed golf more than football during his time in Spain, but he still helped Los Blancos dominate Europe in the late 2010s. He won 15 trophies in nine years at Madrid, including three La Liga crowns and five Champions League titles, even scoring the greatest goal in the history of the latter with his astounding overhead kick in the 2017/18 final.Boasting a majestic left foot and ridiculous athleticism, Bale simply couldn't be stopped at his all-conquering best.