In brief
Since Real Madrid’s founding in 1902, a number of notable football players have played for the team.
The team’s remarkable success in the twenty-first century can be attributed to players like Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, Sergio Ramos, and Karim Benzema.
One of the all-time greats, Cristiano Ronaldo, scored 450 goals in 438 games during his wildly successful nine-year tenure at Los Blancos.
Real Madrid has been among the top teams in the world for the vast portion of their existence. Since they have continuously kept up with the times and maintained their position as one of the largest clubs in the world, their success over the years is quite unbelievable. But when you consider the sheer quality of players that have represented Los Blancos over the years, it’s easy to understand how they’ve done it.
The Bernabeu has hosted some of the greatest football players in history at one time or another. It must be extremely challenging to compile a list of the top 20 Real Madrid players ever, given the sheer number of greats who have played for the team over the years. In any case, we’re going to try it.
The 20 Best Real Madrid Players of All Time
Rank
The player
Place
Real Madrid years
1.
Ronaldo Cristiano
Moving forward
2009–2018
2.
Di Stefano Alfredo
Moving forward
1953–1964
3.
Zidane Zinedine
A midfielder
From 2001 to 2006
4.
Ramos, Sergio
Protector
2005–2021
5.
Casillas Iker
Goalie
From 1999 to 2015
6.
Raul Gonzalez
Moving forward
1994–2010
7.
Bernabeu Santiago
Moving forward
1921–1926
8.
Gento Paco
Winger
1953–1971
9.
Puskas Ferenc
Moving forward
From 1958 to 1966
10.
Figo Luis
A midfielder
From 2000 to 2005
11.
Benzema Karim
Moving forward
2009–2023
12.
Modric Luka
A midfielder
from 2012 to the present
13.
Sanchez, Hugo
Moving forward
From 1985 to 1992
14.
Pirri
A midfielder
1964–1980
15.
Ricardo Zamora
Goalie
1930–1936
16.
Roberto Carlos
Protector
1996–2007
17.
Emilio Butragueno
Moving forward
1984-1995
18.
Kroos, Toni
A midfielder
2014-2024
19.
Ivan Zamorano
Moving forward
1992-1996
20.
Vicente Del Bosque
A midfielder
1968-1984
10Luis Figo
2000-2005
A real football genius and another Real Madrid Ballon d’Or winner. Although Figo’s transfer from Barcelona to Real Madrid is still regarded as one of the most contentious in history, it was well worth the money. He had five outstanding years at Real Madrid, scoring 57 goals, providing 93 assists, and winning three trophies.
Additionally, he made 245 appearances for the team overall, and there weren’t many midfielders in the world who could match his skill during his time at Madrid. Amazing player.
Real Madrid Statistics for Luis Figo
Looks
245
Objectives
57
Helps
93
Trophies
3.
9Ferenc Puskas
1958-1966
One of the best strikers in the history of the game. In 262 appearances while wearing a Real Madrid shirt, Puskas scored 242 goals, averaging 0.92 goals per game. In 1960, he scored four goals in the 7-3 final triumph over Eintracht Frankfurt, the only time that feat has ever been accomplished. He also won three European Cups.
The FIFA Puskas Award, which is granted to the player who is judged to have scored the most aesthetically stunning goal over a 12-month period, is even named after the forward. If that doesn’t tell you how unique he was, then not much does.
The Real Madrid statistics for Ferenc Puskas
Looks
234
Objectives
204
Helps
N/A
Trophies
10.
8Paco Gento
1953-1971
Someone who could be considered the greatest left winger in history. Not only did Gento win six (yes, SIX) European Cups, the most of any football player, but he also enjoyed torturing opposing defenders while wearing a Real Madrid shirt. He played more than 500 games for the La Liga team over the course of 18 years.
Another record was set by Gento, who won 12 La Liga titles. There is no doubting his incredible talent, and he was instrumental in elevating the Real Madrid team he played for to one of the greatest in the club’s storied history.
Real Madrid Statistics for Paco Gento
Looks
566
Objectives
165
Helps
3.
Trophies
21
7Santiago Bernabeu
1911-1920 & 1921-1926
Happy 122 years, @realmadrid 🤍 pic.twitter.com/LYuvk7hiwl
— Madrid Zone (@theMadridZone) March 6, 2024
The club wouldn’t be what it is now without Bernabeu, who is honoured by the stadium’s name. In addition to being a fantastic player in the 1920s, he oversaw an absurd amount of on-field success throughout his 35 years as president, from 1943 to 1978. arguably the most significant person in Real Madrid’s remarkable past.
Without Bernabeu’s influence, it is reasonable to assume that the club would not have developed into the titan that it became. Even though he played for Atletico Madrid, the club’s local rivals, for a year, he is still considered an icon at Los Blancos, and his reputation will go on forever.
Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu Stats
Looks
51
Objectives
27
Helps
N/A
Trophies
One
6Raul Gonzalez
1994-2010
Raul was an incredible striker. He leads Real Madrid in appearances with an incredible 741 and is the team’s second-highest scorer with 323 goals. In 2010, Raul ended his remarkable 16-year career at Los Blancos, which included three Champions Leagues and six La Liga crowns.
He scored in double figures just twice in his time at the Bernabeu, although he routinely produced ridiculous scoring totals for the duration of his career in Spain. He would still hold the league and Champions League scoring records for Real Madrid if it weren’t for a particular Portuguese superstar.
The Real Madrid statistics for Raul Gonzalez
The way things look
741.
Goals
323.
Aids
123.
Awards
16.
Iker Casillas, 5 (1999-2015)
5Iker Casillas
1999-2015
San Iker rarely gave a poor performance and was able to do it all between the sticks. He still maintains the record for the most clean sheets in the history of the Champions League and is the youngest goalie to play in a final. Even though it’s unfortunate that his Real Madrid career ended somewhat badly, he is still regarded as one of the greatest of all time.
During his heyday at the Bernabeu, he was one of the world’s top goalkeepers and played for the club for 16 years. Casillas played more than 700 games and won nearly everything that could be won with Madrid. Simply a top-tier goalie.
The Real Madrid statistics of Iker Casillas
Looks
725
Goals given up
751
Sheets of cleanliness
264
Trophies
18
4 Sergio Ramos Between 2005 and 2021
The best Real Madrid captain ever, most likely. Sergio Ramos not only won 22 trophies total and led the club admirably for many years, but he also scored an absurdly high number of goals for a centre defender. He earned a respectable striker’s return when he departed the Bernabeu with a collection of 101 in all competitions.
At 38 years old, the Spaniard is still playing at a very high level, which is evidence of how amazing he has been and still is. Simply put, it’s unfortunate that his time in Madrid didn’t end well.
Real Madrid statistics for Sergio Ramos
Looks
671
Objectives
101
Helps
40
Trophies
22
3 Zidane Zinedine (2001–2006)
A top-tier player for Real Madrid who is also a skilled manager. ‘Zizou’ led the team to a historic ‘three-peat’ in the competition from the dugout after scoring an amazing volley to win the 2001 Champions League final during his playing days. The term ‘legend’ does not adequately describe him.
For the team, Zidane was a fierce force in the middle of the pitch who frequently outmanaged the opposing midfielders. There was no possibility for them. Even though he only played at the Bernabeu for five years, his amazing legacy was further enhanced during his tenure as manager of Real Madrid.
The Real Madrid statistics for Zinedine Zidane
Looks
227
Objectives
49
Helps
68
Trophies
6.
Second, Alfredo Di Stefano (1953–1964)
During his 11-year tenure with Real Madrid, Di Stefano won eight La Liga crowns, five Pichichis, five European Cups, two Ballon d’Ors, and 308 goals in 396 games. Additionally, he participated in five European Cup finals and scored in each of them. No longer do they make them exactly like the ‘Blond Arrow’.
It is impossible to overestimate the influence he had throughout his more than ten years with Madrid. Only a unique individual could surpass his legacy at the club. Regretfully, they once had one of the greatest footballers in history play for them.
Real Madrid Statistics for Alfredo Di Stefano
Looks
363
Objectives
278
Helps
2.
Trophies
18
1 Ronaldo Cristiano, 2009–2018
Cristiano Ronaldo, who scored 450 goals in just 438 games, holds the record for most goals scored by Real Madrid. No other player will ever match that ridiculous return. In addition, Ronaldo scored 30 goals or more in each of his four seasons with Real Madrid and helped the team win four Champions Leagues. In the Spanish city, the 40-year-old was truly a footballing cyborg.
He joined Madrid in 2009 for a world-record transfer fee, and after nine amazing years in which he broke numerous records and solidified his place among the greatest players of all time, it’s safe to argue that he was still a steal.
Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo’s statistics
Looks
438
Objectives
450
Helps
131
Trophies
15.
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