Who are the best players who have played for Man City and Real Madrid?

Are there players who have played for Man City and Real Madrid? Professional footballers frequently move from one club to another as their careers advance, presenting themselves to the most competitive bidders. Which players have played for Manchester City (The Citizens) and Real Madrid (Los Blancos)? Get the full list of these players in this article.

Manchester City and Real Madrid have produced some of the finest talent today. Some players have tasted the best of both clubs, winning trophies that have boosted their player profiles significantly. Check out this list of athletes who have played for Man City and Real Madrid.

Players who have played for Man City and Real Madrid

Man City and Real Madrid compete at the UEFA Champions League, with Madrid boasting 14 titles, the highest number as of March 2024. Man City have six wins. Here are the players who have played for Man City and Real Madrid, per reputable online sources like Manchester Evening News.

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1. Robinho

• Full name: Robson de Souza
• Nationality: Brazilian
• Position: Forward

Robinho is a retired forward among the famous players who have played for Man City and Madrid. He was picked as Pele's heir apparent at 15 and won two titles with club Santos, which Pele has been part of. Robinho joined Real Madrid in 2005, scoring 25 goals in 101 appearances.

His move to Madrid in September 2008 on a four-year deal was among the most expensive, costing approximately £32.5 million. He stayed with the club until 2010, scoring 14 goals in 41 appearances. His stay at Los Blancos was cut short by leg injuries sustained during his last season.

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Robinho also represented his country, participating in the 2006 and 2010 FIFA World Cup tournaments. He also won the 2009 Confederations Cup in South Africa.

2. Brahim Diaz

• Full name: Brahim Abdelkader Díaz
• Nationality: Moroccan-Spanish
• Position: Attacking midfielder/winger

Brahim is an attacking midfielder for Real Madrid and the Spanish national team. He started playing for Manchester City in 2015 at 16 and debuted in September 2016. The player stayed with City until 2019.

In January 2019, the Moroccan-Spanish athlete joined Manchester City in a contract valid until 2025. The player won the La Liga with the club in 2019/2020. He joined AC Milan in 2020 on loan.

3. Danilo

• Full name: Danilo Luiz da Silva
• Nationality: Brazillian
• Position: Center back/right back

Brazillian footballer Danilo started his senior career with América Mineiro, Santos, and Porto between 2009 and 2015. He is among the players who have played for Real Madrid and Manchester City, winning trophies with both clubs.

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During his tenure at Real Madrid (2015-2017), Danilo won the UEFA Super Cup in 2016 and the La Liga in 2017. He transferred to Manchester City in 2017, playing with the club until 2019. He won the Premier League twice and the FA Cup in 2019.

Danilo made 60 appearances with City and scored four goals. He was part of Brazil's 2018 FIFA World Cup squad. Additionally, he joined the 2022 crew but discontinued after the opening game due to an ankle injury.

4. Steve McManaman

• Full name: Steve McManaman
• Nationality: English
• Position: Winger

How many British players have played for Real Madrid and Man City? Retired English footballer Steve Mcnmanaman is among the top players who have represented both clubs. His transfer from Liverpool to Madrid in 1999 was among the most high-profile Bosman rulings of all time.

He won the UEFA Champions League twice, becoming the first English player to win the trophy with a non-English club. He was also the first English player to win it again.

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Mcnmanaman moved to Manchester City in 2003 and played for two seasons before hanging his boots in 2005. He made 44 appearances with the Sky Blues but scored no goal.

5. Javi Garcia

• Full name: Francisco Javier García Fernández
• Nationality: Spanish
• Position: Defensive midfielder

Javi spent his youth and the first three years of his senior career with Real Madrid. His contract ended in 2007 but contained a buy-back clause that saw him return in 2008 for one year.

After three years with Benfica, Garcia transferred to Manchester City for over £15 million. He spent two seasons at the club, winning the 2014 Premier League and Football League Cup.

6. Jose Angel Pozo

• Full name: José Ángel Pozo la Rosa
• Nationality: Spanish
• Position: Attacking midfielder

José is one of the former Man City players who have also played for Real Madrid. At 11, the Spanish athlete was scouted by Madrid to play for its youth club. He played with the club for five years before moving to Manchester City in 2012.

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He played for the youth side for two years before being promoted to the senior team in 2014. He made four appearances and scored one goal during a match against Sheffield. The attacking midfielder also represents his national team.

7. Alvaro Negredo

• Full name: Álvaro Negredo Sánchez
• Nationality: Spanish
• Position: Forward

Alvaro joined Real Madrid's reserve team, Real Madrid Castilla, during the earlier years of his career, scoring 22 goals in 65 appearances. He joined Sevilla from 2009 to 2013, then transferred to Manchester City, where he scored 23 goals in his first six months.

The Spanish forward spent two seasons with the club, winning the 2014 Premier League and the Football League Cup. As a Spanish national team member, Negredo was part of the UEFA Euro 2012 squad and the 2014 FIFA World Cup crew. Alvaro ranks among the top goalscorers in Spanish football.

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8. Nicolas Anelka

• Full name: Nicolas Sébastien Anelka
• Nationality: French
• Position: Forward

Nicolas is a retired French forward who played for his national team and several clubs. He also played for Man City and Real Madrid at different times in his career. He spent one season with Madrid (1999-2000), scoring seven goals in 31 appearances.

After spending two years with Paris Saint-Germain and Liverpool on loan, he transferred to Manchester City in May 2002. Anelka became the club's top scorer during his debut season, scoring 14 goals. During his three-year tenure, he scored 45 goals in 103 appearances.

9. Emmanuel Adebayor

• Full name: Sheyi Emmanuel Adebayor
• Nationality: Togolese
• Position: Striker

Emmanuel Adebayor played for Manchester City from 2009 to 2012, scoring 19 goals in 45 appearances. In 2011, he moved to Real Madrid on loan for one season, winning the Copa del Rey in 2011. The athlete was named BBC Footballer of the Year in 2007 and African Player of the Year in 2008.

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Frequently Asked Questions

These players have gained experience and expertise from both top leagues that compete in different leagues. Here are some frequently asked questions about the players who have played for Man City and Real Madrid:

Which players transferred from Real Madrid to Manchester City?

The notable transfers from Madrid to Man City include Robinho, Emmanuel Adebayor, Steve McManaman, and Jose Pozo.

How long did Brahim Diaz play for Man City?

Brahim joined Manchester City in 2015 and played for four seasons, until 2019. He transferred to Real Madrid, where he stayed until 2023.

Final word

These individuals who have played for Man City and Real Madrid have built successful careers at both clubs, leaving lasting legacies in both teams. Football fans will follow to see how their teams perform in future championships.

READ ALSO: Manchester City players' salaries

Sports Brief published an article analyzing the salaries of Man City players. The club is among the wealthiest in England, boasting some of the top football earners like Erling Haaland. How much do Manchester City players earn?

The top three earners are Kevin de Bruyne, earning an estimated $25,117,664 per season; Erling Haaland, who earns approximately $23,547,810; and Jack Grealish, whose salary per season is about $18,838,248 per season. Check out the above article for all the details about the Man City players' salaries.