With a combined 20 European titles, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid are two of the best-known clubs on the continent. Both clubs have an insatiable desire for excellence, which is why they only recruit the most promising players – those who can maintain their legacy. Playing for either team is a mega achievement in itself, while playing for both teams is something for the history books.
Over the years, only eight players have played for both Bayern Munich and Real Madrid, and today we take a look at the best of the best. Read on to find out the five best players to have played for both Bayern and the All-Whites.
#5 By Roberto
Former Brazilian left midfielder Ze Roberto arrived in Europe with Real Madrid in January 1997, where the All-Whites signed him from Portuguesa. Ze Roberto had a lot to offer, but couldn’t really get off the ground in the Spanish capital. Madrid were notorious for their lack of patience, sending Ze Roberto to Flamengo after just a year before selling him to Bayer Leverkusen in July 1998. He only played 19 games for the Spaniards, scoring one goal.
After his disappointing time at Real Madrid, Ze Roberto found his footing at Bayer Leverkusen. After four successful years, he moved to FC Bayern Munich and spent the following four years of his career in Bavaria. After his contract ended in 2006, he moved to Nacional, but returned to the Bundesliga giants the following summer. He played 217 games across all competitions for the German team, scoring 17 goals, assisting 49 and winning four Bundesliga titles.
#4 David Alaba
David Alaba, one of the most versatile players of the 21st century, moved from the Austria Vienna Reserves to FC Bayern’s U19s in July 2008. Two years later he received his first contract with the senior national team of FC Bayern Munich, but was unable to complete it straight away. He spent the second half of the 2010/11 season on loan at Hoffenheim and gained valuable experience there. Upon his return, he became an invaluable cog in the Bayern machine.
Between 2011 and 2021, Alaba demonstrated his versatility and excelled as both a left-back and a central defender. He played 440 games for the club in all competitions, scoring 34 goals and providing 54 assists. Alaba helped Bayern win 27 trophies, including 10 Bundesliga titles and two UEFA Champions League trophies.
Before the 2021/22 season, Alaba moved to Real Madrid as a free agent. In his debut season, he helped Los Blancos to a UEFA Champions League and La Liga double and caused a stir with his leadership. Due to a torn cruciate ligament, Alaba hasn’t played much this season but is expected to return to the starting lineup next season. The Austrian has played 100 games for Madrid so far, scoring five goals and providing nine assists.
#3 Xabi Alonso
Before conquering Germany as a coach, Xabi Alonso had an enviable career as a player. He played for some of the biggest teams and won the most coveted trophies.
The 2004/05 UEFA Champions League winner moved from Liverpool to Real Madrid in the summer of 2009. He quickly emerged as a midfield leader and helped Madrid take on the all-conquering Barcelona. The Merengues won the La Liga title with flying colors in 2011/12, with Alonso one of their best players. A few years later, Madrid ended their 12-year UEFA Champions League trophy drought and Alonso once again proved a key player. After playing 205 games in five seasons and winning six trophies, Alonso left Madrid for Bayern Munich in the summer of 2014.
Alonso spent three seasons at Bayern, scoring nine goals in 117 games in all competitions, before hanging up his boots. With Bayern Munich he won three Bundesliga titles and a DFB Cup.
#2 Arjen Robben
Arjen Robben, arguably the best right winger of the 21st century, moved from Chelsea to Real Madrid in August 2007. The Dutchman played well in the Spanish capital and was instrumental in Madrid’s La Liga triumph in the 2007/08 season. However, re-elected president Florentino Perez had planned a major overhaul for the summer of 2009 and Robben was one of the players who had to make way to make way for the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka and Karim Benzema. After scoring twelve goals in 61 games for Madrid in all competitions, Robben pledged loyalty to Bayern Munich.
In the following ten seasons, Robben developed into one of the best players in the industry. His labyrinthine runs, deft touches and sweeping punches mesmerized every fan and neutral and instilled fear in opponents. Robben played 287 games for Bayern between 2008/19 and 2018/19, scoring 127 goals and providing 69 assists. His brilliant performances helped Bayern win, among other things, eight Bundesliga titles and a UEFA Champions League trophy.
#1 Toni Kroos
Toni Kroos moved from the U17 of FC Hansa Rostock to the U19 of FC Bayern in July 2006. Bayern recognized his potential and promoted him to the senior national team the following year. Understandably, Kroos didn’t get enough minutes straight away, prompting the club to send him on loan to Bayer Leverkusen. After collecting enough playing minutes in Leverkusen, Kroos returned to Bayern before the 2010/11 season and quickly became a regular player. He helped Bayern win the 2012–13 and 2013–14 Bundesliga titles and the 2012–13 UEFA Champions League Cup and developed into one of the best central midfielders in Europe.
In the summer of 2014, Kroos helped Germany win the FIFA World Cup, but even such a gigantic performance didn’t convince Bayern to hand him a mega-contract. As a result, Kroos caught the flight to Madrid and the rest, as they say, is history. Over the last decade, Kroos has cemented his place as a true Real Madrid icon by producing world-class performances straight away, helping the club to three La Liga titles and four UEFA Champions League trophies, among others.
The legendary midfielder has played 448 games for Real Madrid, scoring 28 goals and providing 84 assists. He could easily pass the 500 game mark by the time he’s done.