Not Mbappe or Tchouameni – Three players you may not remember played for Real Madrid and AS Monaco | OneFootball

Real Madrid and AS Monaco are set to face each other tonight in the Champions League, adding yet another storied chapter to a relationship that has grown over the years. 

While the focus will naturally be on the action on the pitch, this fixture also highlights a shared history between two clubs that have regularly crossed paths in the transfer market.

In recent seasons, that link has been reinforced by stars such as Aurelien Tchouameni, who made his name in Ligue 1 before becoming a key figure at the Santiago Bernabeu, and Kylian Mbappe, whose rise at Monaco paved the way for his long-anticipated move to Madrid. 

Their journeys underline Monaco’s reputation as a breeding ground for elite talent and Real Madrid’s habit of snapping up players ready for the very top.

However, long before Tchouameni’s authority in midfield and Mbappe’s global superstardom, several other players had already worn the colours of both clubs. 

Some arrived in Madrid as established names, others left Monaco to take the biggest step of their careers. 

Here are three players who represented both Real Madrid and AS Monaco.

James Rodriguez

James Rodriguez spent successful years at Real Madrid. (Photo by Harry Engels/Getty Images)

James Rodriguez’s connection with Monaco was brief but hugely important. He joined the Ligue 1 side in 2013 from Porto for around €45 million as part of Monaco’s ambitious rebuild. 

In his only season at the club, James made 38 appearances in all competitions, scoring 10 goals and quickly becoming the creative heartbeat of the team.

That campaign set the stage for a major move. After starring at the 2014 World Cup, Real Madrid signed James in the summer of 2014 for roughly €80 million. 

Over six seasons at the Bernabeu, including loan spells away, he made 125 appearances and scored 37 goals. 

He officially left Real Madrid in 2020, joining Everton on a free transfer after his contract ended.

Fabinho

Fabinho only made one senior appearance for Real Madrid. (Photo by Carlos Rodrigues/Getty Images)

Fabinho’s Real Madrid story is often forgotten. He arrived in 2012 on loan from Rio Ave and was mainly used by Castilla, making just one senior appearance for the first team. 

Madrid chose not to sign him permanently, and he returned to Portugal in 2013.

Monaco then secured Fabinho for around €6 million, a move that proved inspired. 

He spent five seasons at the club, making over 230 appearances and evolving into one of Europe’s most reliable midfielders. 

Fabinho left Monaco in 2018 after their title-winning 2016–17 season, joining Liverpool for approximately €45 million.

Fabio Coentrao

Fabio Coentrao’s Real Madrid journey was filled with injuries. (Photo by Jasper Juinen/Getty Images)

Fabio Coentrao joined Real Madrid from Benfica in 2011 for around €30 million. 

Across six seasons, he made 106 appearances, winning major honours despite frequent injury setbacks. His time in Madrid ended in 2017 when his contract expired.

Monaco brought him in on loan for the 2015–16 season. There, Coentrao made 19 appearances, offering experience during a transitional year. 

He left Monaco in 2016 and, a few years later, stepped away from top-level football.