5 most expensive Real Madrid signings before 2002

#3 Nicolas Anelka - €35 Million (1999)

Nicolas Anelka, Mauricio Pellegrino

Nicolas Anelka's move to Real Madrid was a disaster despite the world class caliber of the player. Following his sensational tenure at Arsenal under Arsene Wenger's tutelage, Real Madrid paid €35 million to secure his services.

However, Anelka's transfer did not pan out as planned due to his temparment issues. The Frenchman's attitude problems ruptured his relationship with Vicente Del Bosque, the Real Madrid boss back then. Eventually, he was suspended for 45 days because of his refusal to train.

It came as no surprise that Anelka was sold to PSG, having scored only seven goals while featuring just 33 times for Real Madrid. Despite being a big money signing, the centre-forward was one of the worst transfers in the club's history.

#2 Luís Figo - €60 Million (2000)

Allstars Real Madrid v Allstars Bayern Muenchen - Corazon Classic Match

Luis Figo’s transfer to Real Madrid in 2000 was arguably the most controversial switch in football history. The Portuguese was Barcelona's captain at the time, which is why his €60 million signing took the football world by storm.

The transfer acted as a catalyst to their bitter rivalry which resulted in high voltage encounters on the pitch. The former Ballon d'Or winner was one of the best of his era, a force to be reckoned with due to his pace and skillset on the flanks.

Figo spent five years at Barcelona but his tenure in the Spanish capital was a successful one. The Portuguese legend helped Madrid win two La Liga titles with Real Madrid, while also winning the Champions League title in 2002. He bagged 56 goals and 93 assists for Los Blancos in 245 appearances.

#1 Zinedine Zidane - €77.5 Million (2001)

RCD Espanyol v Real Madrid CF - La Liga

Real Madrid broke the bank and set a new transfer record by forking out €77.5 million to bring Zinedine Zidane to the Santiago Bernabeu. The Frenchman was the best player in the world at the time for his exploits with France and Juventus. He was the perfect 'Galactico', who would leave an incredible mark at Real Madrid.

Following his majestic displays which saw him win the World Cup and the European Championship, 'Zizou' went on to win everything in club football as well. His transfer value was hard to believe at the time but the midfielder repaid the price during his tenure in the Spanish capital.

Zidane bagged 49 goals and 67 assists in over 200 appearances for the club. However, a player like him was not meant to be judged by mere statistics. His iconic volley against Bayer Leverkusen in the 2002 Champions League final is a testament to that fact.

Zidane has also enjoyed a fruitful tenure as Real Madrid's manager in recent times, guiding the team to an unprecedented three-peat of the Champions League.