10 Signings Real Madrid Want You To Forget About

Antonio Cassano was signed by Real Madrid from Roma for just £3.8m in 2006, after five successful years with the Italian club. Though he was immensely talented, the footballer carried a reputation for having a poor attitude and being a terrible trainer. 

It took the Italian just over three minutes to score on his debut, after he came off the bench against Real Betis, but in spite of the promising start, Cassano's attitude hindered his progress, and he gained a considerable amount of weight. 

Though there were hefty fines for his lack of discipline, Cassano continued to cause trouble: in late 2006, he was suspended for "A lack of respect", and was subsequently dropped. The Italian began to make noises about wanting to leave, and was loaned to Sampdoria before making the deal permanent in 2008. The deal suited both parties, and Cassano departed after just 19 league games and two goals for Los Blancos. 

Compatriot Andrea Pirlo recently summed up the playboy attitude of Cassano in his autobiography I Think Therefore I Play: 

“Take someone like Antonio Cassano. He says he’s slept with 700 women but he doesn’t get picked for Italy any more. Can he really be happy? I wouldn’t be.”

33 year-old Cassano is now a free agent after recently being released by Italian club Parma.