Real Madrid players with academic backgrounds: from Santiago Bernabéu to Gonzalo

Real Madrid has had hundreds of footballers, but some of the most outstanding have excelled in areas far from the field, also pursuing other fields of study. Above all, university studies, an education that has become quite widespread in recent times among the squads of the European football elite.

Santiago Bernabéu

History of Real Madrid. The former player, former coach, and former president of Real Madrid had a background in law: he was a lawyer and a civil servant in the Treasury.

René Petit

The remembered French midfielder trained as a civil engineer. Thanks to his contribution to Spanish public works, he received the Grand Cross of the Order of Civil Merit.

Ramón Marsal

Player for Real Madrid during the 1960s, he studied industrial engineering. When he decided to retire from professional soccer, he returned to the classroom to obtain the title of industrial expert.

José Luis Pérez-Payá

This Spanish forward received a degree in law and economics. He studied at the University of Deusto.

Manuel Velázquez

This midfielder and youth academy product of the club, one of the most famous of his generation, has financial and banking studies.

Rafael Marañón

Thanks to his degree in architecture, Rafael Marañón was able to work as a professor at the University of Barcelona after his retirement. He held his own chair.

José Martínez "Pirri"

The former Real Madrid midfielder and current honorary president of Real Madrid studied medicine in Mexico, during his time as a player at Puebla F.C.

Ángel de los Santos

Trained in economics at the University of Somosaguas, the midfielder from Huesca played in the 1970s and 1980s.

Miguel Pardeza

Pardeza holds degrees in law and Spanish philology, with a doctoral thesis focused on the works of César González Ruano. The forward has written Torneo and Angelópolis, published in 2016 and 2020, respectively.

Emilio Butragueño

The current director of institutional relations at Real Madrid holds a degree in economics and business administration, as well as a master's in sports management from the University of California. He also attended a general management program at IESE, University of Navarra.

Hugo Sánchez

The Mexican center forward, known for his record of first-touch goals, received a degree in dentistry from the National Autonomous University of his home country, Mexico.

Manolo Sanchís

Now working as an occasional commentator in some media outlets, the former center back holds a degree in business administration and a master's in international business.

Fernando Redondo

The Argentine midfielder studied business administration, which made him the subject of debate when he declined to participate in the 1990 World Cup. That important international event coincided with a very significant stage of his university studies.

Juan Mata

Still active, this Real Madrid youth academy product graduated in physical activity and sports sciences (INEF) at the Polytechnic University of Madrid. He also has studies in marketing.

Esteban Granero

Midfielder for Real Madrid during José Mourinho's time at the club, he pursued a degree in psychology at Camilo José Cela University.

Álvaro Arbeloa

Now coach of Real Madrid Castilla, his résumé includes a degree in journalism from Camilo José Cela University. Over time, he added to that education with his current studies in business administration.

Ruud Van Nistelrooy

The Dutch forward marked an era at Real Madrid alongside Raúl González Blanco and is another of the many Real Madrid players with studies in business administration.

Javier Hernández "Chicharito"

The Mexican forward began a distance degree in international business at the Mexican Catholic University UNIVA.

James Rodríguez

Signed by Real Madrid after the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, the attacking midfielder combined his training as a systems engineer with his first seasons as a Real Madrid footballer. That education was possible thanks to a special program at the National Open and Distance University of Colombia.

Xabi Alonso

Recently appointed as head coach of the first team, Xabi Alonso first enrolled in technical industrial engineering. That degree did not convince him, and he quickly switched to business administration, which he studied for three years.

Jesús Vallejo

The center back from Zaragoza began his studies in law. His close connection to soccer encouraged him to switch from law to a degree in sports science.

Alvaro Odriozola

The former Spanish right back has studies in business administration and management.

Nacho

This Real Madrid legend began physical activity and sports sciences, formerly known as INEF, at Camilo José Cela University.

Dani Carvajal

As happened with his compatriot and former teammate Nacho, Leganés's number "2" finished high school and enrolled in a degree in physical activity and sports sciences.

David Alaba

The center back from Austria has a considerable musical background and is quite skilled with the piano and guitar. He is also able to compose his own music.

Jude Bellingham

The British midfielder began studies in sociology at Priory School in Edgbaston. The demands of his sports career, especially after arriving in the Spanish capital, led him to abandon those studies.

Gonzalo García

He is one of the recent additions to Santiago Bernabéu locker room. His performance on the field is combined with a double degree in business administration with a specialization in big data.