10 Real Madrid Rejects Who Made It Big Elsewhere
9. Santiago Canizares
Flamboyant goalkeeper Santiago Canizares also embarked upon his professional career with Real Madrid, but failed to break through.
He took in loan spells at Elche and Merida prior to leaving Madrid on a permanent contract with Celta Vigo, where he cultivated something of a reputation.
This progress prompted Real to bring him back to his hometown in 1994, but he struggled to nail down a starting spot. His longest run came in 1997-98 with 26 league outings, plus six in European action.
Even then, he disappointingly lost his place to Bodo Illgner during the latter part of the campaign and missed out on the victorious Champions League final. It was a clear indication that Canizares had to move on, which he did to Valencia at the end of that season.
Even in his wildest dreams, the eccentric shot-stopper couldn’t have believed that the move would work out so well. The bleach-blonde ‘keeper formed part of the Copa del Rey-winning side in his initial term, but further success followed.
His presence was pivotal as Valencia reached two Champions League finals in 2000 and 2001, and he became captain following Gaizka Mendieta's departure to Lazio.
Canizares was a key figure in an unexpected 2001-02 La Liga title triumph under the stewardship of Rafa Benitez, who had been Real Madrid B team boss during Santiago’s second stint at the Bernabeu.
It wasn’t all plain sailing, though, as the Spanish international sat out the 2002 World Cup thanks to a bizarre incident at the team's pre-tournament training base. Canizares smashed an aftershave bottle in his room and a shard of glass severed a tendon in his right foot.
Back to full fitness, he led Los Che to another championship in 2003-04, conceding just 25 goals in 37 games, whilst keeping a clean sheet in each of his seven European appearances.
The goalie retired in 2008, having posted 445 appearances for Valencia in a decade. Not one for sitting around idly, Canizares took up commentating duties and became a rally car driver.