The most important transfer in Madrid's history is shrouded in mystery as it is still unclear just how much of a role the Spanish government played in the signing of Alfredo di Stefano in 1953. What we do know is that Barcelona had spent months trying to agree a deal with the player, Millonarios - whom he was playing for at the time against FIFA regulations - and the owners of his playing rights, River Plate. Ultimately, after the Spanish football federation ruled that Di Stefano should be shared between Real and Barca, the Catalans gave up completely.
