5 players that you may not know played in the Real Madrid Academy

Real Madrid Academy has produced many sensational talents like Raul, Guti and Juan Mata. But as in every field, not every young footballer in the Academy succeeds. At least with Real Madrid.

There have been many instances that a player leaves the Madrid side at a young age only to become a star in a different club, even for a rival.

Let's look at five players that you may not know appeared or even graduated from the Real Madrid Academy.

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Marcos Alonso (1999-2008 in Real Madrid Academy)

Marcos Alonso

It seemed like Marcos Alonso came from nowhere just two years ago when Chelsea bought him. But the Spanish left-back has proven his worth and now is one of the leading Premier League players in his position.

While Alonso became a surprise for many in England, his talent wasn't that shocking for many in Spain. The attacking full-back actually spent 11 years in Madrid's most famous club. Alonso was only nine when he joined the Real Madrid Academy in 1999. He went on to represent each youth side in the following years.

In 2008, Alonso was promoted to the B team, in which he played almost 40 games in the next two years. Few times he appeared on the bench for Real Madrid's first team but only once did he get on the pitch. Just for a single minute.

The Spanish giants sold Alonso for cheap to Bolton in 2010 but three years later he left for Fiorentina. The Spaniard had a great spell in Italy, attracting Chelsea who spent more than £20 million for him.

Kiko Casilla (2000-2004 in Real Madrid Academy)

Kiko Casilla

In 2015, after impressing for Espanyol, Kiko Casilla moved to Real Madrid for €6 million. That, however, wasn't his first time in the Royal club, as Casilla had graduated their Academy 11 years ago.

Kiko joined the Real Madrid system in 2000. Four years later he was promoted to C team but after two more seasons, Casilla joined the B side. The Spanish goalkeeper was rarely playing in both teams so it wasn't surprising when he left Real for free in 2007, joining the Catalan club Espanyol.

Casilla didn't experience a meteoric rise to stardom as in the first four seasons he had to play with the B team and on loan to the third and second division in Spain. But when Casilla got his chance with the first team, he didn't disappoint.

From 2013 to 2015 the Spaniard missed only four league games for Espanyol and even earned a call-up to the Spain national team. Casilla made his first and until now his only international appearance against Germany.

After losing Iker Casillas, Real Madrid bought Casilla back to be their second choice goalkeeper. This season his role has become even smaller as the World Cup's best goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois joined and the previous first choice Keylor Navas is still at the club.

Juanfran (N/A-2003 in Real Madrid Academy)

Juanfran

Since joining in 2011, Juanfran has become one of the best full-backs in Atletico Madrid's history. He has helped his team reach two surprising Champions League finals and win La Liga in 2014.

So it is interesting to think that Juanfran actually started his career with Atletico arch-rivals Real Madrid. After graduating from the Academy in 2003, the Spanish right-back spent two years with the B team, also playing six times with the main side.

After a loan in 2006, 21-year-old Juanfran officially left Real Madrid and joined Osasuna. After four and a half great seasons he left for one of the country's biggest teams Atletico, in a way betraying his boyhood club.

Since then he has appeared in 27 rivalries against Real, including in two Champions League finals. Interesting that Juanfran's only goal against his former Madrid side came in 2009 when he was still with Osasuna. Juanfran scored a crucial game-winner, saving his club from relegation.

Kamil Glik (2007-2008 in Real Madrid Academy)

Kamil Glik

While Kamil Glik was fairly unknown outside of Poland and Turin just five years ago, he has been one of the best defenders in Europe in the last three seasons. The Polish defender's improvement isn't that shocking as he had a brief spell at the Real Madrid Academy.

In 2006 Glik left Poland and moved to Spain's Alicante Province to play for Horadada. There he was noticed by Real Madrid. One of the biggest clubs in the world registered Glik for their C team. Even though he had a good time in Spain's capital, there wasn't a serious hope that Real Madrid would give the Polish defender a chance with the main team.

Glik returned to Poland but after two great seasons left again and joined Italian club, Palermo. Just a season later he was sold to Torino. There Glik became a fan favourite, captaining the side from Serie B to various top 10 positions in Serie A.

In 2016 Glik joined a Champions League side AS Monaco.

Saul Niguez (2006-2008 in Real Madrid Academy)

Saul Niguez

Saul Niguez is one of the most exciting upcoming football stars in the world right now and a player Real Madrid regret losing. The 23-year-old has been one of the best Atletico Madrid players for the last few years and has the potential to become a legend.

In 2006, being 11 years old, Saul joined his dream club Real Madrid's youth team. It was a great time for him from a football point of view, otherwise, it was a nightmare. Saul's teammates hated him for an unknown reason. They stole his shoes and food.

At one time, Saul was even forbidden to go to training because of a letter other boys sent to the coach. All Saul wanted to do was to play football, so he left for the other Madrid giant Atletico in 2008. There he has spent the rest of his amazing career, having a long-term contract until 2026.

Needless to say that few of the best games Saul has had have been against Real Madrid. In 2015 he put himself on the map with an amazing bicycle kick in a 4-0 battering but this season Saul scored the winner against Real in the UEFA Super Cup.