Five of the best players to play for Real Madrid and AC Milan

Real Madrid face AC Milan in the UEFA Champions League this week as two traditional titans of European football go head-to-head. 

With multiple European honours between them, Real Madrid and AC Milan have shared some of the game’s greatest talent – some of which have represented both sides.

Ahead of their clash, we’ve looked at five of the best players to have worn the colours of both clubs.

Five of the best players to play for Real Madrid and AC Milan

Clarence Seedorf

Clarence Seedorf remains the only footballer to have won the Champions League with three different clubs and collected winner’s medals with Real Madrid and AC Milan.

Seedorf emerged as part of the famous Ajax side that conquered Europe in 1994/95, before moving to Real Madrid, via a single season at Sampdoria, in 1996. He was a regular in the side across his first three seasons, where he won a La Liga title and a second Champions League crown.

However, the Dutchman was sold to Inter Milan after falling out of favour but two seasons later was part of a remarkable exchange deal. Seedorf swapped the blue and black of Inter for the red and black of city rivals AC Milan, with Francesco Coco heading in the opposite direction.

Milan certainly got the better end of the deal as Seedorf starred with the Rossoneri. He made 432 appearances during an illustrious career with the club, winning nine trophies including Champions League titles in 2003 and 2007.

Ronaldo

Ronaldo Nazario crossed the El Clásico and Milan divides but somehow remains affectionately remembered at each of his former clubs.

After brilliant spells with PSV, Barcelona and Inter Milan, Ronaldo became the latest Galactico of the Florentino Perez era at Real Madrid in 2002. He signed for the Spaniards after winning the Golden Boot at that summer’s World Cup, recovering from career-threatening knee issues to lead Brazil to a fifth world crown.

O Fenômeno scored 104 goals in just 177 games for Los Blancos and was La Liga’s top scorer in his second season in Madrid. The two-time Ballon d’Or winner was allowed to move on to Milan in 2007, where he scored nine times in 20 games during an injury-hit spell, before concluding his career at Corinthians.

David Beckham

Another part of the Galactico project at Real Madrid, David Beckham joined the Spanish giants from Manchester United in 2003.

Following a decorated career in English football, Beckham embarked on a new challenge in La Liga as Real Madrid courted the most recognisable face in football. He made 155 appearances for Los Blancos and scored 20 goals, bouncing back from a period out of favour to win La Liga in his final season.

After moving to MLS with LA Galaxy, he twice returned to Europe on loan to keep alive his England ambitions. He made 33 appearances for Milan over two loan spells at the San Siro.

Kaka

Kaka climbed to a status as world football’s finest at AC Milan, with the Brazilian brilliant at his best in red and black.

Kaka came to the fore as Milan reached the Champions League final in 2004/05, though a second-half collapse allowed Liverpool to take the trophy. Two years later, he inspired Milan through the latter stages of the tournament with 10 goals en route to the decider. Carlo Ancelotti’s men exacted revenge on Liverpool in Athens and Kaka was duly named winner of the Ballon d’Or.

His electric speed when carrying possession and evasive footwork made Kaka almost unstoppable at his best. He scored 95 goals in 270 games for Milan, before a world-record move to Real Madrid in 2009.

Four seasons in Madrid saw him score 29 times in 120 appearances, though his time with Los Blancos was punctuated by injuries. He returned to Milan for a short second spell on a free transfer in 2013.

Gonzalo Higuain

Real Madrid snapped up the promising Gonzalo Higuain from River Plate and the Argentine evolved into a prolific presence in the Spanish capital.

He scored 107 goals in 190 league games for Real Madrid, though competition from Karim Benzema saw him move on in search of increased status. Higuain produced the best football of his career in Serie A, where he scored 119 league goals for Napoli and Juventus.

After falling out of favour with the latter, he was loaned to AC Milan in 2018/19. A disappointing spell was cut short to facilitate another loan switch to Chelsea.

Read – Midfield Magicians: A bona fide winner who simply oozed class, Clarence Seedorf

See more – Midfield Magicians: David Beckham, Golden Balls

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