Davor Suker to Martin Odegaard: 9 Footballers Who Played for Arsenal and Real Madrid

Arsenal and Real Madrid are two of the most popular clubs in Europe. While the Gunners are known for their eye-catching football and heroics on English soil, Los Blancos have an unparalleled trophy cabinet, featuring 15 UEFA Champions Leagues.

Playing for either club is a huge feat; representing both takes something truly special. us as we meet the nine players who have played for Arsenal and Real Madrid, exploring their exploits.

Let’s begin!

9 Players Who Played for Arsenal and Real Madrid

#9 Davor Suker

Croatian legend Davor Suker was the first player Arsenal and Real Madrid shared. He delivered his fair share of top performances in the Spanish capital, but could not quite live up to expectations in North London.

Suker, a prolific frontman, ed Los Blancos from Sevilla in the summer of 1996. He quickly cemented his place in the starting lineup and went on to record 29 goals and four assists in 43 games across competitions. Suker’s heroics helped Madrid win the Spanish championship that season.

The following season, he scored four goals in seven games as Real Madrid claimed the UEFA Champions League. His third season, however, was not as remarkable, as he missed a lot of games due to suspension. Before switching to Arsenal in July 1999, Suker played 109 games for Los Blancos, scoring 49 goals and providing 11 assists.

Unlike in the Spanish capital, Suker could not settle in at Highbury. He left the Gunners after just one season. Suker played 39 games in his sole season for Arsenal, scoring 11 goals and providing three assists.

#8 Nicolas Anelka

Nicolas Anelka made his first senior-team switch in February 1997, leaving Paris Saint-Germain for Arsenal. The gifted centre-forward could not score in his debut season but started showing his quality in his first full campaign with the Gunners. In the 1997-98 season, Anelka scored nine goals and claimed seven assists in 40 games across competition, helping the club win the Premier League and the FA Cup.

In 1998-99, Anelka shone brightly in the Premier League, scoring 17 goals and claiming five assists in 35 games, paving the way for his move to Real Madrid in August 1999. During his stay in North London, Anelka played 90 games in all competitions, scoring 28 goals and providing 14 assists.

Anelka’s Real Madrid stay was rather short. Between August 1999 and July 2000, he played 33 games for the club in all competitions, bagging seven goals and six assists in 33 games. He scored twice in 10 games as Real Madrid won the Champions League at the end of the 1999-00 season.

#7 Jose Antonio Reyes

In January 2004, Jose Antonio Reyes ed Arsenal from Spanish side, Sevilla. Reyes played 13 Premier League games in his debut season, scoring twice and claiming an assist, playing an important role as Arsenal became the first and only unbeaten champions in the league’s illustrious history.

The right-winger was in London for two more seasons, wowing fans with his sublime movement and creativity. Having amassed 23 goals and 27 assists in 110 games across competitions for the Londoners, Reyes ed Real Madrid on loan at the end of the 2005-06 season.

Reyes had a decent run at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. He played 38 matches for the Whites in the 2006-07 season, scoring seven goals and providing four assists. His six goals and pair of assists in La Liga proved valuable as Madrid claimed the title. Although Los Blancos opted against giving a permanent deal, Reyes is still fondly ed in the Spanish capital.

#6 Julio Baptista

Former Brazilian attacking midfielder Julio Baptista moved to Real Madrid from Spanish outfit Sevilla in July 2005. A formidable presence in midfield, Baptista played 32 La Liga games in his debut season, scoring eight goals and providing four assists. Baptista looked set for a fruitful run in the capital, but the All-Whites had something else in mind.

On the deadline day of the 2006 summer transfer window, Real Madrid and Arsenal agreed to a swap loan deal, causing Jose Antonio Reyes and Baptista to trade colours. Baptista earned plaudits for his performances at Arsenal, scoring 10 goals and claiming three assists in 35 games in the 2006-07 season, helping the club reach the League Cup final.

Arsenal, however, did not give him a permanent deal, allowing him to return to the Spanish capital. Baptista spent another year in Madrid, chipping in with some fine performances to help them to the La Liga title and Supercopa de Espana.

#5 Emmanuel Adebayor

Arsenal legend Arsene Wenger brought Emmanuel Adebayor to the club in January 2006. Under the Frenchman’s tutelage, Adebayor developed into a prolific striker, capable of infiltrating even the tighest of defences.

Adebayor did not take much time to become a fan favourite, but the good feeling, unfortunately, did not last. The former Togo international fell out with the club and left for Manchester City after a big blowout. His actions towards the Gunners post-departure also drew heavy criticism from ers, making him one of the most hated former players. Before switching to Manchester City, Adebayor played 142 games in all competitions, scoring 62 times and providing 18 assists.

In January 2011, Adebayor ed Real Madrid on a short loan from Manchester City. He scored eight goals in 22 appearances across competitions, winning the Copa del Rey with Los Blancos. Madrid did not see him as a worthy addition and allowed him to return to the Etihad Stadium.

#4 Lassana Diarra

After two decent years at Chelsea, talented defensive midfielder Lassana Diarra moved to Arsenal in the summer of 2007. Then-coach Arsene Wenger, however, did not allow him much game time, leading to his exit to Portsmouth in January 2008. He only played 12 games for the Gunners in all competitions, amassing a total of 777 minutes.

Having won the FA Cup with Portsmouth, Diarra ed Spanish giants Real Madrid in a sensational move in January 2009. The former French midfielder honed his craft in Spain and became one of the best in his position. He spent three-and-a-half years at the Santiago Bernabeu, recording one goal and seven assists in 116 matches across competitions.

He won one La Liga title, one Copa del Rey, and one Supercopa de Espana before leaving for Anzhi in September 2012.

#3 Mesut Ozil

One of the finest playmakers of the 21st century, Mesut Ozil, weaved his magic both at Arsenal and Real Madrid.

His journey to greatness started at Real Madrid when Jose Mourinho brought him from Werder Bremen. The German playmaker hit the ground running and became one of the first names on Madrid’s teamsheet. He developed a telepathic understanding with the team’s frontman, Cristiano Ronaldo. During their time together, they tormented defenders for fun, combining for a bucketload of goals.

Ozil enjoyed a sensational campaign in 2011-12, as he scored four goals and provided 18 assists in 35 La Liga matches. His heroics helped Los Blancos beat Pep Guardiola’s formidable Barcelona to the La Liga title.

Ozil continued his good work in the 2012-13 season, recording nine goals and 16 assists in La Liga that season. However, his exploits did prove to be enough, as Real Madrid went all out for Tottenham Hotspur star Gareth Bale in the summer of 2013.

Mezut Ozil at Real Madrid:

👕 159 games
⚽ 27 goals
🎯 80 assists

One of the finest performances by a midfielder in the history of modern football 🔥pic.twitter.com/L1pCQhPxJA

— LosBlancos Fan (@deLosBlancosFan) April 4, 2025

So, after recording 27 goals and 80 assists in 159 goals across competitions, Ozil left the Spanish capital for Arsenal.

Ozil enjoyed a blistering start at the Emirates Stadium, scoring five goals and providing 10 assists in his debut Premier League season. Considering how much he had to adapt, the return was more than praiseworthy. Ozil enjoyed his finest Arsenal season in 2015-16, as he ed six goals and 19 assists in 35 Premier League games.

The 2014 World Cup winner did not leave the Gunners on the best of , but he had done enough to seal his place in the Hall of Fame. Between 2013 and 2020, Ozil played 254 games for the Gunners, scoring 44 goals and providing 75 assists. He won four FA Cups and two FA Community Shields.

#2 Dani Ceballos

Real Madrid signed talented central midfielder Dani Ceballos from Real Betis in the summer of 2017. With Luka Modric and Toni Kroos at the peak of their powers, Ceballos could not become a regular for the All-Whites. He played 22 games in the 2017-18 season, amassing a total of 901 minutes. He was merely a enger as Madrid won the Champions League that season — their third on the bounce.

Things looked up a little in 2018-19, but he was still very much a fringe player, sitting firmly behind the brilliant trio of Modric, Kroos, and Casemiro. So, in July 2019, he ed Arsenal on a two-year loan, hoping to gain invaluable experience.

Ceballos had his moments at Arsenal, but he never looked good enough to earn a permanent stay. So, after a couple of mediocre seasons, Ceballos returned to the Spanish capital, hoping to get more minutes under his belt. He played 77 games for the Gunners, scoring twice and providing six assists.

The 28-year-old has yet to become a regular at Real Madrid, but his dedication has not gone unnoticed. If he keeps this up, he could finally get his shot after Modric calls time on his career. So far, he has played 178 games for the club in all competitions, scoring seven goals and providing 16 assists.

#1 Martin Odegaard

The last man to represent Arsenal and Real Madrid, Martin Odegaard, moved to the Spanish capital in January 2015, with Los Blancos ing him to Castilla’s roster. As the most highly rated teenager at the time, Odegaard, however, had the privilege of training with the senior team.

Two years later, Odegaard became an official member of the first team, but Real Madrid had no room for the youngster. Loan spells at Heerenveen, Vitesse, and Real Sociedad followed before Los Merengues gave a clear shot in the 2020-21 season. Odegaard impressed in bits and pieces, but Madrid could not give him enough playing time. As a result, he ed Arsenal, on loan, in January 2021, where he finally found his footing.

A familiar foe for Martin Odegaard this evening 🇳🇴⏪⚔️ pic.twitter.com/9zKi014cw3

— LiveScore (@livescore) April 8, 2025

After an impressive half-season, Odegaard ed the Gunners in a permanent move. Since the switch, he has evolved into one of the most competent playmakers in the Premier League, regularly conjuring goalscoring chances out of thin air. The Arsenal captain has played 187 games for the club, scoring 40 goals and providing 34 assists. At Real Madrid, he only played 11 games, failing to score or assist.