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Real Madrid is widely regarded as one of the most prestigious football clubs in the world, consistently attracting the best players globally.
While the club has been home to countless legendary talents, a few African players have also made their mark at the iconic Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.
Here are 8 African stars who have represented Los Blancos:
1. Emmanuel Adebayor
The Togolese striker joined Real Madrid on loan during the second half of the 2010-2011 season, playing 22 games and scoring eight goals, five of which came in La Liga. Adebayor played a crucial role in helping Madrid win the Copa del Rey that season, including a memorable hat-trick against Almeria.
2. Geremi Njitap
A key figure in Real Madrid’s success in the late 1990s and early 2000s, Cameroon’s Geremi played for the club from 1999 to 2002. During his time at Madrid, he won two UEFA Champions League titles (1999-2000 and 2001-2002) and a La Liga title in 2001.
3. Mahamadou Diarra
The Malian midfielder was known for his physicality and defensive solidity, making 128 appearances for Real Madrid between 2006 and 2011. Diarra helped the club secure two La Liga titles and a Copa del Rey trophy, becoming an integral part of Madrid’s midfield.
4. Michael Essien
Ghanaian midfielder Michael Essien reunited with former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho at Real Madrid. Essien made 21 appearances, contributing two goals during his short stint.
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5. Achraf Hakimi
Moroccan right-back Achraf Hakimi had a short but significant spell at Real Madrid, making 17 appearances in the 2017-2018 season. Hakimi was part of the squad that won the 2018 UEFA Champions League before moving to Inter Milan.
6. Javier Balboa
Equatorial Guinea’s Javier Balboa made a brief but memorable impact at Real Madrid, scoring a key goal in the UEFA Champions League against Olympiacos in 2007. He was primarily with Madrid’s Castilla team before being loaned out to Racing Santander.
7. Valdo Lopes
Cape Verde international Valdo Lopes had a short stint at Real Madrid, playing for both the main team and Castilla during the 2001-2002 season. Despite limited appearances, he earned valuable experience in La Liga, Copa del Rey, and the UEFA Champions League.
8. Brahim Diaz
Morocco international Brahim Diaz joined Real Madrid in 2019 from Manchester City and spent three years on loan at AC Milan before returning to Madrid in 2023.
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Diaz, who switched nationalities to play for Morocco in 2024, is now an important part of Carlo Ancelotti’s squad and scored in Madrid's 2-1 loss to Real Betis on March 1, 2025.