The player had made a shock switch to the club ten years earlier
Across the last couple of decades, Real Madrid have been famous for conjuring up some of the most riveting sides in world football. The club’s zealousness to break the bank for wordclass names and its stature as a football powerhouse has seen the bigwigs line up to partake in the club’s consummate success.
However, amongst these gargantuan names, the club has had its fair share of failed transfers as well. The La Liga giants have been equally guilty of indulging in the services of some listless footballers with Hamit Altintop being a testament of that narrative.
Hamit’s One Year Stay At Real Madrid
The Turkish player had ended up making a shock switch to Real Madrid ten years back as the Spanish side decided to bring him into their side. Joining from Bayern Munich on a free transfer, Hamit who played for Real Madrid on a total of five occasions was branded a failure only within his first year at the club.
His lacklustre showings saw him fail to even get a look into the club’s Champions League setup with him leaving the side only after a year. Real Madrid did manage to recuperate his cost though as they sold him off to Galatasaray for 3.5 million euros. He subsequently moved to German side Darmstadt on a free transfer, a club he’s still involved with.
Hamit’s best ever period in the Champions League came in the 2009 season when he finished second in the competition with Bayern Munich.
Hamit had spoken about his previous employers when quizzed about Real Madrid’s Champions League challenge during the 2019-20 season.
“I don’t think they are a championship contender,” Altintop told Omnisport. “I think you can compare the situation of Real Madrid to the situation of the German national team.,” Hamit had said.
“They are in a rebuilding phase and want to integrate new players. They invested in young players and they need time. But right now they are playing good, convincing football, because the requirements are there.
“But if it is enough for the Champions League final… I would like Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, my two former clubs, to play in the Champions League final in Istanbul, with me as an ambassador. But I think it will be difficult.”
