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Players who played for both Real Madrid and Villarreal
7 famous players have played for both Real Madrid and Villarreal, including Raúl Albiol, Denis Cheryshev, Takefusa Kubo and Alphonse Areola. 6 of them played for Real Madrid first; 1 started at Villarreal.
Did you know?
- Diego LópezEarliest on this list to play for both: Real Madrid (2005–2007, 2013–2014), then Villarreal from 2007.
- Takefusa KuboLatest on this list: Real Madrid first, then Villarreal from 2020.
Denis CheryshevWent back for a second spell at Villarreal.
All 7 players, most famous first
Raúl Albiol
Spain · Defender · born 1985- Real Madrid
- 2009–2013
- Villarreal
- 2019–2025
- Denis CheryshevSpain · Midfielder · born 1990
- Real Madrid
- 2013–2016
- Villarreal
- 2014–2015, 2016–2019
- Real Madrid
- 2019–2022
- Villarreal
- 2020–2021
- Alphonse Areola
France · Goalkeeper · born 1993- Real Madrid
- 2019–2020
- Villarreal
- 2015–2016
- Roberto SoldadoSpain · Forward · born 1985
- Real Madrid
- 2005–2008
- Villarreal
- 2015–2017
- Diego LópezSpain · Goalkeeper · born 1981
- Real Madrid
- 2005–2007, 2013–2014
- Villarreal
- 2007–2012
- Dani ParejoSpain · Midfielder · born 1989
- Real Madrid
- 2009
- Villarreal
- 2020–2026
Years are club stints from Wikidata (snapshot 2026-09-28); a loan that runs straight into a transfer is shown as one stint. “from YEAR” means no end year is recorded — it is not a claim about a current club.
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Questions
How many famous players have played for both Real Madrid and Villarreal?
7 in our data, including Raúl Albiol, Denis Cheryshev, Takefusa Kubo and Alphonse Areola. The list covers famous footballers only — players covered by at least 45 language editions of Wikipedia — so it is not every player who ever wore both shirts.
Who was the first player on this list to play for both clubs?
In our data, Diego López: Real Madrid (2005–2007, 2013–2014), then Villarreal (2007–2012).
Where does this list come from?
Club careers from Wikidata, the open database behind Wikipedia (public domain, CC0), snapshot 2026-09-28. Senior spells count, loans included when Wikidata records them; youth and reserve teams do not. Found a mistake? Tell us via the About page.