10 Real Madrid Rejects Who Made It Big Elsewhere

2. Esteban Cambiasso

Defensive midfield lynchpin Esteban Cambiasso broke into Real Madrid’s first team at the second time of asking in 2002, having arrived originally as a 15-year-old at the club’s academy from Argentinos Juniors six years earlier.

Cambiasso was packed off home in 1998 in order to gain experience, where he represented Independiente and River Plate, before Real reclaimed the player’s services.

He made 27 league starts and 14 substitute appearances throughout two seasons back with Los Blancos, but his contract expired and an enticing switch to Italians Inter materialised.

As with many players who were at Real Madrid during his era, Cambiasso felt marginalised by the more flamboyant Galacticos being brought into the club at the cost of millions.

“There was no continuity for my characteristics, and I drew more attention being absent from the starting line-up than being present,” stated Cambiasso when reflecting on his time at the Bernabeu.

“[Claude] Makelele was the same. He was not considered until he left. We are players who do a lot of work for a team and when we leave, it shows.”

Moving to Inter proved a masterstroke, though, as the Nerazzurri enjoyed a period of domestic dominance under Roberto Mancini and then the irrepressible Jose Mourinho, who led Cambiasso and company to a Champions League win in 2010.

At 34, and after a decade in Milan, he randomly pitched up at Leicester City in 2014 on a 12-month deal. The Foxes insistent attempts to complete the move convinced Cambiasso to give it go, but he probably wished he hadn’t as Leicester were cut adrift at the bottom of the Premier League table.

However, those who had written off City’s chances of staying up hadn’t banked on the Argentine’s will-to-win and incredible commitment to the cause.

His effort against West Ham United at the beginning of April 2015 helped the Midlands outfit to their first victory in eight matches. That proved a catalyst for an unbelievable upturn in form which saw Leicester win seven and draw one of their last nine contests to finish 14th in the league and stave off relegation in astonishing fashion.

Cambiasso was named player of the year and offered a new contract, but chose to try out a new adventure with Greek outfit Olympiakos instead. He will forever be revered at the King Power Stadium as the man who almost single-handedly saved Leicester from the drop, which in turn helped them to inexplicably win the title a year on.