10 Players Who Probably Regret Joining Real Madrid
10. Walter Samuel
In 2004, then-Roma centre-half Walter Samuel was held in the same class as the likes of Fabio Cannavaro, Ivan Cordoba and John Terry: hailed as one of the brightest defenders in the Italian league, gaining recognition for his hawk-like reading of the game and no-nonsense, brutish physicality. A domineering and bustling presence, he gained attention on the continent for his fine performances, so when Real Madrid paid £21 million for his services in the summer of 2004, a joint sigh of inevitable disappointment could be heard echoing throughout the boardrooms of Europes top clubs.
However, such is the theme, Samuel flopped dramatically at Real Madrid. Unable to measure up to the extortionate price tag, he looked out of his depth, alienated from his natural surroundings in Serie A, and by the end of the season, he was gone as quickly as he had arrived, returning to his adopted Italian league with Inter Milan.
Perhaps it was the pressure of living in the goldfish bowl environment of Real Madrid that affected the Argentines play. Perhaps he simply couldnt adjust to the different, more upbeat rhythm of Spanish football. Whatever the reason, it was evident for all to see that he simply was a square peg in a round hole for Los Blancos, and needed replacing quickly.
Despite the Madrid nightmare, Samuel has gone on to realise his potential, appearing over 200 times for the Italian giants, and collecting a Champions League medal under the stewardship of Jose Mourinho.