Real Madrid Confidencial The best loaned players in Real Madrid's history: from Joselu to Faubert
Real Madrid has always had several players whose stay has been temporary
One of the last-minute deals in the 2025 summer transfer market that Real Madrid is facing is the loan of Kobbie Mainoo from Manchester United. If it manages to sign this English midfielder, he wouldn't be the first loaned player to have passed through Santiago Bernabéu locker room.
Manuel Torres
The first loaned player in Real Madrid's history arrived from Real Zaragoza in the 56/57 season. He was one of the best center-backs of the time and soon established himself as one of the team's first options at that moment. He shared the defense with other legendary defenders such as Lesmes and Marquitos: he won a league title and a Latin Cup.
Ramón Tejada
Almost ten years later after its first loaned player, Real Betis let Ramón Tejada leave for the Spanish capital. In 1965 this Spanish midfielder arrived to help win the sixth European Cup. Some of his most memorable matches were the round of 32 against Feyenoord and the rout in the second leg of the round of 16 against Kilmarnock.
José Antonio Reyes
José Antonio Reyes arrived on loan from Arsenal in the 06/07 season, as a result of Julio Baptista's departure to the Premier League. During that campaign, under the tactical command of Fabio Capello, the striker from Seville played 38 matches: he scored seven goals and provided four assists. Without a doubt, he is etched in Real Madrid's history thanks to his role in the Comeback League, with a brace against Real Mallorca that is part of Real Madrid's DNA.
Julien Faubert
Perhaps the most disappointing loan of all those made to date. The signing of the French striker, completed in January 2009, didn't live up to the expectations promised from the Premier League. A total star at West Ham at that time, the French right winger barely played 54 minutes in two matches: Racing de Santander and Athletic Club de Bilbao.
Emmanuel Adebayor
The striker from Togo arrived at the club in the middle of the 10/11 season at the express request of José Mourinho. With the aim of adding more options in attack, the African player ended up scoring eight goals in 22 matches. His participation, wearing the number '6' in domestic competitions and '28' in the Champions League, earned him his only team trophy: the Copa del Rey won against Barça at Mestalla.
Michael Essien
The midfielder from Ghana arrived on loan at Real Madrid from Chelsea during the 12/13 season. At that time, he was one of José Mourinho's favorites. His participation stats at Real Madrid prove it: Essien played 35 matches with Real Madrid. On many occasions, he did so as a left-back instead of occupying his natural position as a holding midfielder.
Javier "Chicharito" Hernández
Real Madrid sold Álvaro Morata to Juventus in 2014, so it needed a new center forward: Carlo Ancelotti approved the arrival of the Mexican striker from Manchester United. Under the tactical command of the Reggiolo coach, he made 33 appearances, scoring nine goals and providing nine assists. His most legendary moment is, without a doubt, his goal in the quarterfinals of that Champions League, eliminating Atlético de Madrid at Santiago Bernabéu.
Alphonse Areola
It was the 19/20 season and Keylor Navas had definitively left Real Madrid, defeated by his failed challenge against Thibaut Courtois and PSG's interest in signing him. Signed to strengthen the goal if the former Chelsea player didn't deliver the desired performance, Alphonse Aréola remained as Zinédine Zidane's first-choice goalkeeper for just nine matches.
Joselu
One of the most memorable loans for Madridists due to the overall impact he had at Real Madrid in the 23/24 season. The departure of Karim Benzema to Saudi Arabia highlighted the need for a true number '9' and the executives led by Florentino Pérez brought back the player from La Fábrica. His brace in the Champions League semifinal, against Bayern Munich, holds a special place on the road to the Fifteenth.
Kepa Arrizabalaga
He also arrived at Santiago Bernabéu locker room for the 23/24 season, due to the serious injury to Thibaut Courtois during the month of August, shortly before the soccer season began. The Basque goalkeeper fulfilled his dream of wearing the white jersey, but he couldn't keep the starting spot against an Andriy Lunin who became a hero in that memorable European campaign... although it's true that it was with his help against Manchester City.
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