10 Signings Real Madrid Want You To Forget About

4. Javier Saviola

Real Madrid's Thomas Gravesen of Denmark reacts during a 2nd round, 1st leg, Champions league soccer match against Arsenal at the Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Tuesday Feb. 21, 2006. Arsenal won the game 1-0. (AP Photo/Paul White)
SERGEY PONOMAREV/AP/Press Association Images

As all Football Manager fans will know, Saviola was touted as a future star when he arrived at Barcelona as a 19 year-old. Though he had a great start to life in Catalonia, he fell behind other stars such as Samuel Eto'o in the pecking order, and spent two seasons away from the club on loan with Monaco and Sevilla respectively. 

Barcelona chose not to renew Saviola's contract upon expiry in 2007, which led Real Madrid to pounce. But as with his time at Barcelona, however, the striker fell down the pecking order. His game time in Madrid was limited, and the player once dubbed as a future goal scoring great finished his two seasons in the Spanish capital with just four league goals.

Saviola went on to play for several teams across Europe after leaving Madrid for Benfica, before recently signing for Argentinian giants River Plate. At the age of 33, Saviola has not hinted at retirement in the near future. 

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Contributor

Journalism student hopping between London and the North-East. Boxing enthusiast and Football Manager addict. Was diagnosed with supporting Sunderland AFC as a child.