The top Germans to play in El Clasico

Toni Kroos experiences El Clasico for the first time this weekend since moving to Real Madrid in the summer from Bayern Munich. The World Cup winner has settled comfortably into Real's team under Carlo Ancelotti. Even though nothing quite prepares you for the raw mix of emotions of one of the world's most intense football rivalries, countless Germans had done it before him.

The 1970s were the place to be. Günther Netzer, with his long and lustrous hair left Gladbach for Real Madrid in 1973. He won championships and cups in Madrid - even helping Los Blancos to a final victory over Barcelona in 1974 to add to the bulging trophy cabinets in Madrid.

Bayern Munich's Paul Breitner was one of the first to jet into Spain to sign for Real Madrid. He racked up 100 appearances for the Madridistas sandwiched between long-term stints at Bayern Munich where he had gained the reputation for being aggressive and outspoken. The 63-year-old now works as a scout for Bayern Munich.

Wherever Heynckes goes - success follows: at Bayern, Gladbach and Real Madrid. The veteran spent less than a decade in Spain at several other sides before Real came calling. While he didn't manage to bring domestic dominance in his year-and-a-bit spell there, he inspired the team to win the European Cup in 1998.

German goalkeeper Bodo Illgner won the hearts of the Real Madrid faithful in a five year spell at the club. The keeper is, arguably, the German to have left the biggest stamp at the Bernabeu. His first Clasico was in 1997 when Real Madrid won 2-0 at home but he played in a number of others too, describing the atmosphere as "special." He eventually lost his position in the side to Iker Casillas.

Sami Khedira moved to Real Madrid back in 2010 but his time in Spain has been hampered by injuries. The former Stuttgart ace underwent surgery in September, so he'll miss the first Clasico of the season this time round. The 27-year-old midfielder is now a World Cup winner, but when he's fit again he'll have his work cut out to displace Kroos and Luka Modric in Real's starting XI.

Real Madrid were unwilling to budge; they simply didn't want to sell. But Mesut Özil eventually completed his move to London in 2013 after three seasons in Madrid. He featured in many El Clasico games, the most memorable being perhaps the Supercup ties of August 2011. There, Özil scored the opening goal in the first match, but was sent off for his involvement in a massive brawl in the second game.

Christoph Metzelder signed for Los Blancos at the end of the 2007 season following seven years at Borussia Dortmund. The defender did play in a couple of El Clasico encounters but never really got going at Real Madrid, picking up consistent injuries. The 33-year-old is now involved in other projects, like coaching at the club where he played as a junior and working as a football expert on TV.