Real Madrid is known for having one of the best youth academies in Europe, but you may not know that some of these players come from them. Over the years they have produced some important talents, from Raúl to Iker Casillas. We looked through the archives and picked out nine players you wouldn't believe came through the Real Madrid Academy.
Amy Buendia
Back in 2009, Aston Villa star Buendia spent a year in the Real Madrid Academy. The Argentinian did not perform satisfactorily at Real Madrid, but he was soon signed by Getafe and made his professional debut there. The winger left Argentina as a teenager to pursue a career in Europe, and despite his early rejection by Real Madrid, he eventually succeeded.
Juan Mata
Juan Mata was in the limelight at Valencia, but back in 2003, Real Madrid discovered his talent. The Spanish midfielder played for Real Madrid Castilla in the 2006-07 season, scoring nine goals in 39 appearances.
Saul
Although he has spent his entire career with local rivals Atletico Madrid, Saul actually began his football journey at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. Loaned to Chelsea last season, the Spanish midfielder returns to Atletico this year. Since being promoted to the first team in 2011-12, he has made 356 appearances for Spain.
Dani Parejo
Real Madrid legend Alfredo Di Stéfano described teenage Parejo as the best talent in Real Madrid's academy, an amazing player. It's always hard to do. The Spanish midfielder played just five first-team games before being transferred to Getafe in 2009. The 33-year-old has had an illustrious career in Spain, making more than 600 career appearances.
Pablo Sarabia
Sarabia played for Real Madrid for seven years but made only one first-team appearance. He did make 49 appearances for Real Madrid Castilla, but he couldn't fully make it into their starting line-up.
Alex Vidal
Former Barcelona defender Vidal spent three years as a youth at Real Madrid from 2003 to 2006. The 33-year-old has played for 10 different clubs so far throughout his career.
Juan Fran
The Spanish defender has made more than 350 appearances for Atletico, but he actually started with fellow rivals Real Madrid. Forlan progressed in their youth team and made his first-team debut in January 2004. He went on to make 11 other first-team appearances before leaving the club in 2005.
Marcos Alonso
Born in Madrid, Alonso joined Real Madrid's youth squad at an early age and made one appearance for the club before joining Bolton Wanderers in the 2010-11 season. He now plays for Barcelona.
Philip Ringhart
Austrian defender Linhart is not your typical Real Madrid Academy graduate, but he was snapped up by Real Madrid after impressing for the Vienna Rapid team as a young man. Ringhart played many games for Real Madrid's reserve team, but only played for the first team in the 2015-16 season. After leaving Real Madrid, he spent his career with Freiburg im Breiburg in the Bundesliga.