The European Clasico divide: Meet the 8 iconic players who played for both Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, featuring Toni Kroos and Arjen Robben.
The fixture between Real Madrid and Bayern Munich is often dubbed the “European Clasico”. As two of the most successful and prestigious clubs in UEFA Champions League history, they have shared epic battles on the pitch. However, they have also shared some of the greatest footballing talents in history.
Looking at the history books, a group of 8 players have had the honor of wearing both the iconic white shirt of Real Madrid and the legendary red of Bayern Munich.
1. Toni Kroos
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Bayern Munich: 2007-2013 (Apps: 177 | Goals: 20 | Assists: 32) | Real Madrid: 2014-2023 (Apps: 456 | Goals: 28 | Assists: 87)
The ultimate midfield metronome and arguably the most successful player to cross this divide.
Kroos emerged from Bayern’s youth academy, establishing himself as a world-class talent and playing a crucial role in their 2013 treble-winning campaign. However, a contract dispute led to his €25m transfer to Real Madrid in 201- a deal widely considered the greatest bargain in modern football history.
In Spain, Kroos evolved into a generational legend, orchestrating Madrid’s midfield for a decade and defining an era that yielded multiple Champions League crowns.
2. Arjen Robben
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Real Madrid: 2007-2008 (Apps: 61 | Goals: 12 | Assists: 9) | Bayern Munich: 2009-2018 (Apps: 287 | Goals: 127 | Assists: 69)
A story of finding true greatness after a harsh rejection.
Robben was an electric winger at the Bernabéu, helping Real Madrid secure a La Liga title. However, he was unceremoniously sold in 2009 to make room for the new Galácticos era (Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaká).
He arrived in Bavaria with a massive point to prove. At Bayern, he formed the terrifying “Robbery” partnership with Franck Ribéry, terrorizing defenses for a decade.
His most memorable moment? Scoring the dramatic 89th-minute winning goal in the 2013 Champions League final vs Borussia Dortmund.
3. David Alaba
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Bayern Munich: 2009-2020 (Apps: 442 | Goals: 34 | Assists: 54) | Real Madrid: 2021-2025 (Apps: 129 | Goals: 5 | Assists: 9)
The versatile defensive genius who conquered Europe with both clubs.
Alaba spent 12 glorious years in Germany, transitioning from a dynamic left-back to an elite center-back, and winning two historic trebles. Seeking a new challenge, he joined Real Madrid on a free transfer in 2021.
The transition was seamless. He inherited Sergio Ramos’ iconic No. 4 shirt and instantly became the vocal leader of the Madrid defense. His iconic “chair celebration” during the dramatic UCL comeback against PSG in 2022 cemented his cult status at the Bernabéu.
4. Xabi Alonso
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Real Madrid: 2009-2014 (Apps: 205 | Goals: 4 | Assists: 23) | Bayern Munich: 2014-2016 (Apps: 117 | Goals: 9 | Assists: 12)
The professor of midfield play who left his mark on both giants.
Alonso was the tactical brain of Real Madrid for five seasons. His passing range was vital to the team that finally secured La Décima (the 10th Champions League title) in 2014.
Shortly after that triumph, Pep Guardiola personally requested his transfer to Bayern Munich. Even in the twilight of his career, Alonso’s football IQ allowed him to dictate the tempo of the Bundesliga, winning three league titles before hanging up his boots in 2017.
5. James Rodríguez
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Real Madrid: 2014-2019 (Apps: 121 | Goals: 36 | Assists: 35) | Bayern Munich: 2017-2018 (Apps: 67 | Goals: 15 | Assists: 19)
A playmaker blessed with a magical left foot, but cursed by tactical shifts.
Arriving at Madrid as the top scorer of the 2014 World Cup, James scored spectacular goals but struggled to fit into the systerm. This led to a two-year loan to Bayern Munich.
In Germany, reunited with Carlo Ancelotti and later Jupp Heynckes, he rediscovered his joy for football. Notably, he scored for Bayern against Real Madrid at the Bernabéu in the 2018 UCL semi-final, respectfully refusing to celebrate against his parent club.
6. Ze Roberto
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Real Madrid: 1996-1997 (Apps: 19 | Goals: 1 | Assists: 0) | Bayern Munich: 2002-2008 (Apps: 217 | Goals: 17 | Assists: 49)
A Brazilian engine who found his true home in Germany.
Many fans forget that Ze Roberto had a brief stint in Spain. He made 19 appearances for Real Madrid and was technically part of their 1998 Champions League-winning squad.
However, it was at Bayern Munich where he achieved legendary status. Across two highly successful spells, he was the tireless heartbeat of the Bavarian midfield, winning four domestic doubles.
7. Hamit Altintop
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Bayern Munich: 2007-2010 (Apps: 89 | Goals: 10 | Assists: 8) | Real Madrid: 2011 (Apps: 9 | Goals: 1 | Assists: 0)
A reliable squad player whose dream move turned into a nightmare.
Altintop was a highly valued utility player for Bayern Munich, known for his incredible work rate and thunderous long-range strikes. His solid performances earned him a surprise free transfer to José Mourinho’s Real Madrid in 2011.
Unfortunately, severe back injuries ruined his time in Spain. He managed only 9 appearances for Los Blancos before quietly moving to Galatasaray.
8. Alvaro Odriozola
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Real Madrid: 2018-2023 (Apps: 49 | Goals: 3 | Assists: 8) | Bayern Munich: 2019 (Apps: 5 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 1)
The strangest trivia answer on this list and the man who achieved a bizarre personal “quintuple”.
Odriozola struggled to displace Dani Carvajal at Real Madrid and was sent on a short-term loan to Bayern Munich in January 2020. While his impact on the pitch in Germany was practically non-existent, playing only 5 matches, his timing was absolutely impeccable.
Because he played for both clubs during the 2019/20 campaign, Odriozola officially collected five major trophies in a single season: La Liga and the Supercopa de España with Real Madrid, followed by the Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal, and the UEFA Champions League with Bayern Munich.
A legendary medal haul for a brief cameo!
FAQ
Q: Who is the most successful player to play for both Real Madrid and Bayern Munich?
A: Toni Kroos is widely considered the most successful. He won a treble with Bayern before moving to Real Madrid, where he became the cornerstone of a dynasty that won five Champions League titles.
Q: Who is the most recent player to transfer between Real Madrid and Bayern Munich?
A: The most recent player to make the switch between these two European giants is David Alaba. After spending 12 highly successful years in Bavaria, the Austrian defender allowed his contract to run down and joined Real Madrid on a free transfer in the summer of 2021.
Q: Are there any female players who have played for both clubs?
A: Yes! In women’s football, Sara Däbritz and Melanie Leupolz have both proudly represented the women’s teams of FC Bayern Munich and Real Madrid CF.
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