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Real Madrid’s recruiting strategy has maintained a “new is always better than old” outlook. Tradition lives on for Real Madrid in the institution of the club, not in its players. Once a better player becomes available, Real will sign them and replace the obsolete player. There isn’t any room for nostalgia, for loyalty. For Real Madrid it’s simple: to play for us, you have to be the best in the world.
Let’s be realistic for a moment, having 8 Ferraris in the garage isn’t practical for anyone. Not for the owner, the driver, or the Ferraris. And having 8 amazing strikers on a single squad doesn’t make sense either. Each position on the soccer field requires a different set of skills. Having a team full of superstar strikers and midfielders leaves little room for defense. As a result, Real Madrid have let some incredible talent slip through their system.
Wesley Sneijder (Sold to Internazionale Milan)
Photo: murderday | Twitter
Before moving on to Internazionale Milano and winning a Champions League title the attacking midfielder spent two years at Real Madrid. The flying dutchman spent two years at the club, widely under appreciated for his precision long balls. He went on to play in Italy where his skills took on a whole new swagger..
Claude Makelele (Sold To Chelsea)
Photo: feliperolinski | Twitter
Known to play in the holding midfield position, Makelele was knowns as the battery by then Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho on his first go around with the club. Holding down the defense allowed his fellow teammates to counter quickly up the field. Before Chelsea the frenchmen was part of the first Galacticos Era, Makelele felt under appreciated at Real Madrid and made it known to the media. Playing with the likes of David Beckham and Zinedine Zidane, it is no surprise he was the lowest paid member of the team.
Angel Di Maria (Sold to Manchester United)
Photo: BarclaysLeague | Twitter
Di Maria was once hailed by Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone as the best player at Real Madrid. Yes, better than Cristiano Ronaldo. The left-footed Argentine is one that Madrid will probably regret letting go, especially now that James Rodriguez is currently out with a broken bone in his foot.
Mesut Ozil (Sold to Arsenal)
Photo: IndyFootball | Twitter
Plagued with injury, the German mastermind seems to be missing his time at Real Madrid after leaving for Arsenal. Don’t get me wrong, he still has incredible touch and vision, but it seems that he cannot handle the wear and tear of a full season in the Premier League.
Arjen Robben (Sold to Bayern Munchen)
Photo: EurosportCom_EN | Twitter
Most know the Dutch international spent some time at Chelsea, but he also spent two years at Real Madrid. Bought from Chelsea for 26m, he was sold to Bayern for 24m, at a loss to make way for Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka. Real Madrid should have stuck with Robben considering Kaka was just shy of a complete flop.
Samuel Eto’o (Loaned to Mallorca and Sold to Barcelona)
Photo: lucaslimasz | Twitter
Many don’t know that Real Madrid owned 50 percent of his contract and first preference if he ever left Mallorca. However, Madrid passed on the opportunity. And to stick it to Los Blancos, he went on to help Barcelona win a number of La Liga titles and Internazionale Milan win a Champions League trophy. His current form at Sampdoria leaves less to be desired.
Gonzalo Higuain (Sold to Napoli)
Photo: tips4punters | Twitter
The Argentine striker saw limited playing time as a result of some stiff competition. None the less he is still a great striker who scored 107 goals in 190 appearances for the club. Impressive indeed.
Xabi Alonso (Sold to Bayern Munich)
Fair enough, he was getting a little old and a swap for Toni Kroos wasn’t a bad incentive. From the looks of Bayern’s season this year the defensive midfielder is showing that he still has the same game day swagger and a long range shot with some serious sizzle.
The lesson is, a team full of superstars doesn't work. Some great talent inevitably gets left on the bench, feelings get hurt, and egos are crushed.
Also, like a Ferrari that’s never driven, great players without enough game time eventually find that their engine dies out. Joni Mitchell had it right, “you don't know what you've got till it's gone.“ So hold on to the good ones Madrid, because a balance is essential not just in soccer, but in life.
