Despite being soccer’s richest club, Real Madrid sure know how to play the market for a bargain.
They are not the cheapskates but there is hardly any club that has as much history as Los Blancos in signing players for free, without a club-to-club transfer fee.
Bernardo Silva joins the ranks of other top talent that have joined on a free transfer, with Manchester City having to bid goodbye to the Portuguese star after a glittering career at the Etihad. With the poise in possession that Real’s midfield lacked since Toni Kroos retired and Luka Modrić left, Bernardo has the potential to change everything for José Mourinho’s new team.
Here are The Eight Best Real Madrid Free Transfers of All Time, ranked from 1 to 8:
1. Antonio Rüdiger
Rüdiger rose to fame as an athletic and rock solid defender while playing for Chelsea, and he has continued to strengthen his reputation for the same after joining Real Madrid in 2022. The Germany international has risen to become one of the world’s top centre-backs. He has been a key figure in the 2023-24 La Liga and Champions League triumphs and has emerged as one of the club’s leaders in the locker room, having made nearly 200 appearances. He inked a one-year contract extension in advance of the 2026–27 season.
2. Kylian Mbappé
Unquestionably the most expensive ‘free’ transfer in soccer history, Florentino Pérez finally landed the French superstar from PSG in 2024. In his first two seasons, Mbappé has netted 86 goals in 103 appearances, and is the first player to win the Pichichi Trophy in his first two La Liga campaigns since Mario Kempes. But, even with his astounding goal tally, he is still seeking big trophies with Los Blancos.
3. Steve McManaman
One of the most high-profile ‘Bosman’ deals of the 1990s, McManaman joined from Liverpool in 1999. The flying winger was a success in Spain, and also managed to score in the 2000 Champions League final and held his own in the early Galáctico era.
4. Bernd Schuster
In 1988,Schuster shocked the football world by joining Real Madrid from Barcelona. Schuster, who was injured, led his class to two La Liga championships back to back. He went back later as manager to win another title in 2007–08.
5. David Alaba
The versatile Austrian arrived from Bayern Munich in 2021 and played a key role in the 2021–22 La Liga and Champions League double. Despite the injuries, Alaba was an outstanding player at the start of his career, at Madrid.
6. Michael Laudrup
The Danish master made the switch to the Clásico side in 1994 when he fell out with Johan Cruyff. Laudrup won one La Liga title with Madrid, and is one of the few players who is respected by both Barcelona and Real Madrid supporters.
7. Luis Milla
After a contract dispute with Barcelona, Milla joined Real Madrid in 1990. The midfielder spent seven seasons at the Bernabéu and played a crucial role in two league championships.
8. Albert Celades
One of Florentino Pérez’s first signings in 2000, Celades joined from Celta Vigo. The defensive midfield was a field dominated by bigger names such as Luís Figo, but the player played more than 50 games in the league and was a winner of the 2001-02 Champions League.
