The 5 Greatest Footballers to Play for Real Madrid

There seems to be some kind of fascinating trail heading towards the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu that will inevitably attract and fascinate the world's greatest footballers.

Real Madrid has never been short of possessing the leading lights of the sport.

Such is the richness of Real Madrid's history that only one of the team's recent players can take a place alongside the greats of the club, and fairly so. And it's certainly Cristiano Ronaldo.

Ronaldo has shattered countless records and penned infinite magnificent tales of glory like many other legendary players did- including that as one of the most expensive players in the game and winning 5 FIFA Ballon d'Or awards.

He’s still charting out his course among the stars. The legendary presence of this Portuguese wizard in world football can be seen throughout his illustrious career, and there's no doubt that he will mark his glory as he reaches the twilight of his career.

There’s a wonderful selection of Real Madrid players to choose from, and some of them are sure to be contested by fans and spectators.

These are the five greatest footballers in Los Blanco's history

Alfredo Di Stéfano (1953-1964)

Appearances: 344

Goals: 266

Assists: 1

For many football fanatics, the greatest player in Madrid’s history is Alfredo Di Stéfano.

Alfredo Di Stefano unquestionably falls into the category of "Sparkling Stars''. With Di Stefano, his name is synonymous with Real Madrid, and scoring goals.

Much the same way that Eusebio is with Benfica, you can't imagine the makeup of Real Madrid without some mention of the Argentine who caused much controversy with his move. Di Stéfano, also known as "Blond Arrow", is the player most responsible for establishing Los Blancos’s connection with the Champions League.

Although too young to understand the player's ability, there is enough written in the history books of the game that tells you why Alfredo Di Stefano is considered one of the best.

Aside from his obvious goal-scoring ability and his tendency to score in big games (he scored 1 or more goals in every single European Cup Final), what goes mostly unnoticed is his versatility.

Capable of playing in attack, midfield, and defence, Di Stéfano adjusted to whatever his team needed him to be and was the man that made his side tick.

He ended his illustrious career with 2 Ballon d'Or, 5 European Cups, and 8 La Liga titles. There will never again be a player like this Brown Arrow and his legacy will remain untouched as one of the greatest to ever play for Real Madrid.

Ferenc Puskás (1958-1966)

Appearances: 225

Goals: 196

Assists: ---

Ferenc Puskas is another name that will always be associated with Real Madrid.

A teammate of Alfredo Di Stefano, and one who would add many trophies to a glittering Real Madrid past.

Arriving as a 31-year-old overweight man from Honved Budapest, many people were against this signing and did not expect great things from the Hungarian. But he came, he played, and he conquered. Everyone was amazed by his surprising performances at Bernabeu.

Not only did he register one of the greatest goal-to-game ratios in footballing history, but he also led Real Madrid to 5 La Liga titles and 3 European Cups. His extraordinary eye for goal and ability on the ball has made him a legend for anyone who knows anything about Madrid’s history.

Puskas' legendary status far surpasses the names of modern greats who are still writing their names on the walls of this magnificent club.

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Zinédine Zidane (2001-2006)

Appearances: 225

Goals: 50

Assists: 68

Genius, Magician, Master. These are just some of the words one thinks of when hearing the name Zinédine Zidane.

Such brilliance is not an exaggeration, and he is easily one of football’s most technically gifted players ever.

Zidane's ability on the pitch was nothing short of art, and he highlighted everything that was wonderful about the game.

He was an absolute delight to watch, as he possessed the world’s best first touch and an uncanny ability to execute "roulettes" (which he popularized).

Zidane ended his marvellous career with 3 FIFA Men's Best player awards, 1 Ballon d'Or, 1 Champions League title, and 1 European Championship title. He has also got many other international awards under his belt.

His volley against Bayer Leverkusen (leading Real Madrid to La Novena) will forever be immortalised as one of the greatest moments of the modern game.

Cristiano Ronaldo (2009-2018)

Appearances: 438

Goals: 452

Assists: 132

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the most decorated players in Real Madrid's history.

He has shattered countless records and penned infinite magnificent tales of glory. It is his sheer desire to win, incredible individual ability, and unparalleled goal scoring record that sets him apart.

This Portuguese Magician is noted for his work ethic, head work, elite body conditioning, and dedication to improvement on the training pitch- as well as being regarded as a natural leader.

On his longevity and "extraordinary commitment to physical preparation" Adam Bate of Sky Sports said: "Dedication is a huge part of staying at the top and Ronaldo's focus is perhaps unparalleled within the game."

Ronaldo’s best goals for Real Madrid

Cristiano Ronaldo's rivalry with Argentina’s Lionel Messi is unmatched. Sports journalists, pundits, and fans regularly weigh the individual merits of both players in an attempt to argue who they believe is the best player in the history of the game.

But we all know, these two are the most elite, special, and remarkable athletes of the 21st Century.

In his glorious and gratifying career, he won 5 Ballon d'Or awards, 2 FIFA Men's Best player awards, 5 Champions League titles, 2 La Liga titles, and many more! Currently, he is the top scorer in international football. Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the most decorated and eminent stars in Real Madrid's history.

Iker Casillas (1999-2015)

Appearances: 725

Clean Sheets: 266

Real Madrid’s official website calls him "the best goalkeeper in our history", and it’s hard to disagree with them.

Not only did Casillas possess lightning reflexes and a one-on-one ability second to none, but he also had the humility, composure, and leadership qualities that have made him Madrid’s best-ever captain.

Taking over the captaincy following the departure of Raul, Casillas has followed on the same path as his predecessor and become an outstanding representative for the club.

Casillas was given the nickname "San Iker" ("Saint Iker") throughout his career, for his precocious performances as a youngster, and due to his ability to produce acrobatic and decisive saves.

In his prime, he was a spectacular, well-rounded, and athletic keeper, who was known in particular for his outstanding agility, reflexes, consistency and shot-stopping, as well as his footwork, positioning between the posts, concentration, and speed when rushing off his line in one-on-one situations.

He has also stood out for his penalty-saving abilities. Despite his reserved character, he has been highly regarded for his strong personality, calm composure under pressure, ability to organise his defence, and leadership throughout his career, as well as how he reads the game.

A humble and modest leader, Casillas' achievements and his many La Liga and Champions League titles have cemented him as one of the great players of modern football.