Ranked! The 50 greatest Real Madrid players of all time
From Real Madrid academy stars to Galacticos and European champions, we rank the Blancos' best-ever
20. Vicente Del Bosque
As a coach, he had an innate sense of balance in a team: as a player, he was a moustachioed midfielder who learned the importance of organisation. A true team player, Vicente Del Bosque was Real's gel for 11 seasons, knitting together the midfield and forward line in perfect harmony. Coaches loved him for his selflessness and intelligence: fans loved him for his loyalty and will to win.
19. Ivan Zamorano
Ivan Zamorano is remembered for having a "+" between his 18 squad number digits at Inter Milan by some – but for anyone in Spain, he's nothing but a tormentor of defenders.
Best typified by a 5-0 thrashing in the Clasico – in which the Chilean got a hat-trick and set up the other two – Zamorano was a pocket rocket: capable of beating defenders for pace, for headers and simply through his will to get a toe to anything. He managed over 100 goals in four seasons.
18. Emilio Butragueno
Barcelona may well be more associated with culture: but Emilio Butragueno was a true artist. The ball simply stuck to his feet when 'the Vulture' took flight and for 13 years, he was the Galactico to watch. Butragueno played over 450 matches in Real white, winning six titles and two UEFA Cups: but it's the moments of genius and extraordinary goals that fans hold so dear today.
17. Roberto Carlos
Roberto Carlos pushed the boundaries of what anyone thought possible with a full-back. The World Cup winner was a tornado in attack, capable of whipping crosses like missiles or, famously, long-range free-kicks that would swerve, float and smash. But perhaps his most underrated trait was just how reliable he was: Carlos was far more than just a flashy Galactico and he was European champion three times.
16. Ricardo Zamora
'The Divine One', Ricardo Zamora gave his name to the goalkeeping trophy that's still awarded to the custodian with the most clean sheets in a LaLiga season. The Spaniard is still regarded as one of his nation's most important footballers of all time and was between the sticks when Los Blancos won the 1931/32 title without losing once. Had the Zamora Trophy existed during his playing career, he'd have won it three times.
15. Pirri
In 16 years, Pirri played in defence, midfield, up front and even in the 1971 Cup Winner's Cup final with his arm in a sling. There was simply no keeping him down: in the 10 league titles he won with Los Blancos, Pirri netted double digits in five, with his tenacity and aggression a must-need component for the Merengues for over a decade. He's one of only two players to have the Laureada award bestowed upon him by president Santiago Bernabeu.
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14. Hugo Sanchez
Hugo Sanchez's record of 208 goals in 282 matches – all in just seven years – is frankly astounding. But they only tell half the story of quite how brilliant he was. The Mexican was perfect converter for the ‘Quinta del Buitre’: ruthless, cold and always in the right place when he needed to be. He was LaLiga top scorer four times and won nine trophies with Real.
13. Karim Benzema
Karim Benzema has been all things to all teams: the deep-lying, selfless foil for Ronaldo and Bale, before becoming the prolific leader dragging Real Madrid without CR7. As an all-round forward, there's perhaps been no one better over the last decade, with the Frenchman having unbelievable touch and control for a player quite so powerful. The frontman for four European titles, he's a club legend.
12. Raymond Kopa
A Ballon d'Or recipient, three-time European champion and the first football player to receive the Legion d'honneur in his native France, Raymond Kopa was a superstar of his era. His speed, balance and playmaking would have made him a success in any era of the game, however – and though he only played 101 times in Real white, he left an indelible mark on the club forever. He was one of the first true Galacticos: in every sense of the title.
11. Luka Modric
Forever doubted throughout his career, Luka Modric has helped not only change perceptions about himself but players like him. A dimunitive midfielder who uses ball-carrying as much as passing to evade pressure, he's not just been a creative spark in four Champions League titles but a vital figure when the chips have been down. His Ballon d'Or was testament to the sheer beauty of what he do with a ball.
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Prev Page The 50 greatest Real Madrid players of all time: 30-21 Next Page The 50 greatest Real Madrid players of all time: 10-1Mark White has been at on FourFourTwo since joining in January 2020, first as a staff writer before becoming content editor in 2023. An encyclopedia of football shirts and boots knowledge – both past and present – Mark has also represented FFT at both FA Cup and League Cup finals (though didn't receive a winners' medal on either occasion) and has written pieces for the mag ranging on subjects from Bobby Robson's season at Barcelona to Robinho's career. He has written cover features for the mag on Mikel Arteta and Martin Odegaard, and is assisted by his cat, Rosie, who has interned for the brand since lockdown.