Former Ghana international Daniel Tawiah Opare has reflected on his time at Real Madrid, describing the experience as an essential chapter in his football career despite the hurdles he faced along the way.
“I have no regrets about joining Madrid because it’s a massive club. I had the opportunity to train with some of the best players in the world, and that exposure was very important for me,” Opare revealed in a recent interview.
The 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup winner joined Real Madrid in 2008 from Ashanti Gold SC, after a short stint with CS Sfaxien in a move reportedly worth around €1.5 million. At the time, he was regarded as one of Ghana’s brightest young defenders, following his outstanding performances at the 2007 FIFA U-17 World Cup, where he caught global attention with his speed, technical ability, and defensive intelligence.
Upon his arrival in Spain, Opare was placed with Real Madrid Castilla, the club’s reserve team, where he trained in a world-class environment and developed alongside future stars destined for the first team.
Although he did not make a senior appearance for Los Blancos, Opare insists that his spell in Madrid played a crucial role in his development.
“Being part of that setup helped me grow a lot as a player. The professionalism, facilities, and overall standards were on another level,” he reflected.
Following his departure from Madrid, Opare went on to enjoy an extensive career across Europe, turning out for clubs in Belgium, Germany, Turkey, and France, including Standard Liège, FC Augsburg, and Royal Antwerp. He also represented the Ghana Black Stars, featuring at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
Now 35, Opare says he remains grateful for the opportunity to have worn the famous white shirt, even if only at youth level.
“Madrid was a dream and a valuable learning experience. It shaped me into the player and person I became,” he concluded.