Top 5 players who have played for both Juventus and Real Madrid

Real Madrid and Juventus—two of the biggest names in European football—are set to face off once again, but this time not in the UEFA Champions League, where most of their famous battles have taken place. Instead, they’ll meet in the FIFA Club World Cup 2025, bringing their historic rivalry to a global stage.

Both clubs have an incredible legacy. Real Madrid, the Spanish giants, are the most successful club in Champions League history with a record 15 titles. Their consistent dominance in Europe and at home in LaLiga has made them a benchmark for success.

Juventus, the pride of Italian football, have won the Champions League twice. While they haven’t been at their best in recent seasons, the club is rebuilding and aiming to return to the top. Their rich domestic history in Serie A keeps them among the elite in Europe.

What sets Real Madrid apart is their commitment to evolving. They constantly strengthen their squad with world-class talent, which has helped them remain competitive and win major trophies consistently.

Interestingly, several great players have worn both the white of Real Madrid and the black and white of Juventus. These stars have not only lifted silverware for both clubs but have also made significant contributions on and off the pitch.

As these two footballing powerhouses prepare to meet again, fans around the world can expect another chapter in what has become a classic European rivalry—now going global.

Five players who played for both Juventus and Real Madrid

5. Danilo

In March 2015, Brazilian right-back Danilo signed a six-year contract with Real Madrid, where he went on to win a La Liga title among other honors. In 2017, he made a move to Manchester City, continuing his career in the English Premier League.

Two years later, in 2019, Danilo joined Juventus as part of a swap deal that saw João Cancelo move to Manchester City. At Juventus, he gradually emerged as a key figure and eventually became the first non-Italian captain of the Bianconeri since Enrique Omar Sívori in 1965, following the departure of Leonardo Bonucci.

In January 2025, Danilo returned to Brazil, signing with Flamengo after five successful years in Turin.

4. Sami Khedira

Sami Khedira joined Real Madrid in 2010 from Bundesliga side VfB Stuttgart. The German midfielder played a key role in helping Los Blancos secure their historic 10th UEFA Champions League title, known as "La Décima," in 2014. His time at the club was marked by success, contributing to several other domestic and international trophies.

In 2015, Khedira signed a four-year deal with Juventus on a free transfer. He quickly became a vital part of the squad, helping the Italian giants dominate Serie A by winning five consecutive league titles during his stay.

3. Alvaro Morata

Spanish forward Álvaro Morata joined Real Madrid in 2008, initially playing for the club’s youth academy. He made his senior team debut in 2010 and went on to win several major honors, including a UEFA Champions League title, a La Liga title, and other domestic trophies.

In 2014, Morata signed with Juventus, where he enjoyed a successful spell, winning a total of five trophies. He returned to Real Madrid in 2016 and once again tasted success, lifting both the Champions League and La Liga titles during his second stint with the club.

2. Zinedine Zidane

French legend Zinedine Zidane was a key figure for both Juventus and Real Madrid during his illustrious career. He joined the Bianconeri in 1996 and spent five successful seasons with the Italian giants, winning two Serie A titles and several other domestic trophies.

Zidane later made a high-profile move to Real Madrid, where he played the most matches of his club career. At the Spanish club, he added to his legacy by winning the UEFA Champions League, a LaLiga title, and several other pieces of silverware, cementing his status as one of the greatest players of his generation.

He later returned to Real Madrid as a manager, leading the team to an extraordinary UEFA Champions League threepeat from 2016 to 2018.

1. Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo became a Galáctico in 2009 after signing for Real Madrid from English Premier League giants Manchester United, in what was then a world-record transfer fee. At the Santiago Bernabéu, CR7 established himself as one of the greatest players in the club’s history, delivering an extraordinary spell of success.

During his nine-year tenure with Los Blancos, Ronaldo scored an incredible 450 goals in just 438 appearances across all competitions—an unmatched feat in the club’s history. He played a pivotal role in helping Real Madrid secure numerous trophies, including multiple UEFA Champions League titles. His phenomenal performances were also recognized with four Ballon d’Or awards during his time in Madrid.

In 2018, Ronaldo made a high-profile move to Juventus for €100 million—the highest transfer fee ever paid for a player over 30 years old. He quickly became a vital part of the Serie A giants, adding domestic titles to his résumé and continuing to make a significant impact on the pitch with his goal-scoring prowess.

Cover Credits - Juventus.com