10 Players Who Rejected Real Madrid

If the story of Suso’s transfer to Liverpool represents shows how a fellow countryman’s endorsement can swing a player’s decision to transfer, Luka Modric’s recommendation to Ivan Rakitic to come to Real Madrid should have been enough for the latter to up sticks from Seville to the Spanish capital.

Modric’s reasons for this were well founded: Rakitic had just come off the back of a man of the match performances in the Europa League final, alongside a place in UEFA’s team of the tournament to go with 15 goals and 17 assists. Such figures caught the attention of both Madrid sides as well as interest from Liverpool and Manchester United.

Rakitic later confirmed of Modric’s attempt to choose Real over everyone else:

“Before, when I was at Sevilla, he did. It would be more difficult now.”

Undeterred by any potential problems, Real attempted to poach Rakitic from their bitter rivals, attempting to emulate their capture of Luis Figo 15 years previously. Officials from the club phoned Rakitic’s representatives to try and table a deal but the player himself flatly rejected such an offer.