Zinedine Zidane pays £48m Real Madrid transfer fee back in prize money in just 18 months as boss

Real Madrid’s £48million outlay on Zinedine Zidane back in 2001 may have raised eyebrows – but it has turned out to be the deal of the century.

The La Liga side smashed the world transfer record to bring the World Cup winner to the Bernabeu from Juventus.

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12 months prior they had shocked the planet by splashing out £37m to sign Luis Figo from bitter rivals Barcelona.

But they upped the ante by £11m to secure the French talisman – and it has proved to be one of their best business deals in history.

And that is not just down to his antics on the pitch for the club during his playing days.

Zidane called time on his career in 2006 after helping Madrid to win the title and Champions League, plus the Super Cup twice, Uefa Super Cup and the Intercontinental Cup.

However, just over 18 months ago he was appointed manager of the Spanish giants for his first senior role as boss when replacing now-Newcastle chief Rafa Benitez.

And since then he has earned more cash in prize money for Madrid than the fee they paid to Juve 16 years ago.

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Under his guidance, they have gone on to enjoy successive Champions League triumphs – banking his side a fortune from Uefa.

Although he was not in charge for the full 2015/16 European campaign, he netted the club a cool £27m for the games he was at the helm from January all the way to the victorious final against neighbours Atletico in Milan.

Last season his men retained their crown as the kings of the continent.

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And taking into account their 2-1 Uefa Super Cup win over Manchester United and the dosh received from the upcoming Club World Cup, that will have banked another £50m.

Despite doubts about his lack of managerial experience, Zidane has already proven that in his coaching career that he was well worth the money Madrid paid for him.]

And if his side continue their dominance of Europe once again this season, he will push the earnings up to nearly double the fee that he cost.

£48m… What a bargain!]