When you think of the Spanish football club Real Madrid, probably the first thing that comes into your mind is its signing(签约) of some of the world’s best footballers. 

 
    This trend(趋势) began shortly after Euro 2000 with the world record—60 million euros(欧元) acquisition(获得) of Portuguese player Luis Figo from FC Barcelona. 
    After Figo in 2001, the two-time FIFA World Player of the Year Zinedine Zidane joined the club from the Italian side Juventus. Again, it was for a world record fee, about 71 million euros. The following season, the team bought Ronaldo, top soccer in the 2002 World Cup, for around 39 million euros, from Inter Milan of Italy. 

 
    In the summer of 2003, they got David Beckham, captain of the English national side, from Manchester United, for about 36 million euros.
    And in 2004 Real turned to Liverpool’s Michael Owen for 12 million euros.
    Even after spending so much money, Real Madrid is still a good mone-maker. It earns a lot more than it spends.
    Of course, the club is looking for not only profits(利润), but also success on the pitch(足球场). It was founded in 1902. Since the middle of the 20th century, Real Madrid has been one of the top football clubs in Europe. It has won the European Cup more times than any other club.
    In 2001, it ranked as the world’s most successful club of the 20th century by the FIFA.