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15 Greatest Real Madrid Players of All Time

By: Author Connor Smith

The rich history of Real Madrid has allowed the team to have a bunch of success over the years. Players from all around the world have suited up for the squad, helping them achieve one of the greatest followings in the game.

Out of all those players to get a chance to play for the club, who are the 15 best of all time? These types of lists are impossible to get exactly right compared to someone else’s opinion, but some players will make any list. All 15 are great in their own right, and they will live long in Los Blanco history.

15. Santillana

  • Games: 461
  • Goals: 186

For 17 La Liga seasons, Santillana proved to be one of the steadiest players in club history. He was a little overmatched physically at times, but his athleticism allowed him to be very creative in his goal-scoring ways.

He finished his career with 186 goals for Real Madrid and helped lead them to nine La Liga titles along the way. Some of the more recent goal scorers for Real Madrid have maybe overshadowed him, but it is hard to forget about just how solid he was for almost two decades.

14. Gareth Bale

  • Games: 174
  • Goals: 81

The entire stint for Gareth Bale at Real Madrid might not have gone well, but he still deserves mention as one of the greatest to ever suit up for the club.

He joined them in 2013, signing a six-year deal that was at the time the largest in the history of the sport. He helped them win two La Liga titles, three Champions League titles, and three FIFA Club World Cups.

Bale never earned any major individual awards while playing for Real Madrid, but his 81 goals in 174 appearances can’t be glossed over. As time goes on, a lot of people will realize how much of a contributor he was for the club.

13. Sergio Ramos

  • Games: 508
  • Goals: 74

A 16-year career with any club is pretty remarkable. With his 508 appearances with Real Madrid, he was one of the most dependable defenders the club has ever had.

He played a crucial part in several big victories for the team, showing that he could provide a steady side at all times. One of the more recent standouts, he also had a remarkable run with the Spanish National Team. Sergio Ramos will go down in history as one of the greatest defenders of all time.

12. Hugo Sanchez

  • Games: 258
  • Goals: 193

The Mexico native made his way to Real Madrid in 1985, playing all the way to 1982. He was a very consistent scorer at the forward position, finishing his career with the club with 193 goals in 258 appearances.

A legend in Mexico, he showed the world that he could compete at the highest level by being a star for Real Madrid as well. His athleticism is hard for any team to match when squaring up against his side.

11. Ronaldo (R9)

  • Games: 177
  • Goals: 103

Just based on actual talent, Ronaldo deserves to be higher on this list. However, he spent a relatively short time with Real Madrid compared to most of this list, appearing in just 177 matches.

He still had a very formidable run with the club, winning the Ballon D’Or individually before his body started to break down a bit. His final two seasons were not anything special, but Real Madrid still competed at a very high level each year with the club.

10. Emilio Butragueno

  • Games: 443
  • Goals: 164

Known affectionately as El Buitre, the striker is one of those long-term Real Madrid standouts who produced at a high level.

He made 443 appearances with a team, scoring 164 goals in his Real Madrid career. He was a big reason why Real Madrid started to turn things around in the 1980s by winning consistently.

That drove up interest in the club, as well as attendance. Ultimately, players like him allowed Real Madrid to start spending more freely later on for the biggest names in the game.

9. Pirri

  • Games: 411
  • Goals: 124

The Real Madrid in the 1960s and 1970s is not the same as today. Although he did win 10 national championships for the club, the battles in the country with other clubs were not as tough.

He was a midfielder and sweeper for Real Madrid during his entire tenure, and was one of the most important players for the Yé-yé team.

8. Amancio Amaro

  • Games: 403
  • Goals: 139

The outside right standout played from 1962 to 1976 with Real Madrid. His 403 appearances is one of the top totals in club history.

He scored 139 goals during his career, and it almost never happened from the beginning. The story goes that Real Madrid did not really want to spend the high signing fee to land him from Deportivo La Coruña.

After being part of several great clubs for Real Madrid, he stayed with the team in some capacity to coach in the 1970s and 1980s. Couple his coaching tenure with nine La Liga titles as a player, and it is hard for him to be forgotten even to this day.

7. Raul

  • Games: 741
  • Goals: 324

For over 15 years, Real Madrid counted on Raul as a consistent striker for their club. He made a total of 741 appearances for the squad and finished with 324 goals in those matches. That puts him as the fifth highest goal scorer in the history of La Liga, and in the team record book several different times.

Sometimes forgotten because of all the individual talent that has played for the club in the last few decades, it is hard to find a player this loyal to the club. His longevity with the team throughout his entire prime is something that will always stick out to longtime fans.

6. Zinedine Zidane

  • Games: 227
  • Goals: 49

Out of the four professional teams Zinedine Zidane played for, he made the most appearances with Real Madrid. Even though it came mostly after he was over 30 years old, he still produced at a high level for the club.

The attacking midfielder found the back of the net 49 times, and created offense while being one of the most consistent players on those squads.

To add to his Real Madrid legacy, he was the manager for the team from 2016 to 2018, and once again from 2019-2021. The 2003 FIFA World Player of the Year will always have legendary status for the club.

5. Iker Casillas

  • Games: 725
  • Goals Conceded: 751

For a goalie to get recognition at this level, they have to be truly outstanding. Real Madrid counted on Iker Casillas for 16 years at the senior level. That came after being in the system for 26 years, playing on various teams at different levels.

Known for making spectacular saves, he was also consistent. He has the most clean sheets in UEFA Champions League history, and was a star for the Spain National Team as well. Casillas is not only a club legend in Real Madrid, but is regarded as one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time.

4. Ferenc Puskas

  • Games: 223
  • Goals: 195

Ferenc Puskas is as talented of a soccer player as anyone who ever put on a Real Madrid jersey. His striking ability made him a constant threat every time he was on the pitch.

He scored 195 goals for the team in 223 matches for Real Madrid, which shows just how dominant he could be in stretches. He also found ways to have success with several other clubs throughout his strongest playing days.

3. Paco Gento

  • Games: 519
  • Goals: 159

Not only was Paco Gento very talented, but he has longevity with Real Madrid to make him stand out. He played 18 years total, and all they did was win during his tenure.

The 23 trophies he contributed certainly stand out to anyone who is a strong supporter of the club. If winning counts for individuals, that is why Gento is so high on the list

2. Alfredo Di Stefano

  • Games: 344
  • Goals: 266

Real Madrid has had a lot of success recently, but they were a dominant force in the 1950s and 1960s as well. Although it is hard to directly compare Di Stefano with the legend next on this list, they were both stars leading very talented teams.

Di Stefano does not have the statistics individually, but he does have five consecutive European Cup Finals with Real Madrid.

This was when they were at their peak, and nothing has stopped them since. His individual play is good enough for number two on this list, only topped by the man most fans agree on as the best of the best.

1. Cristiano Ronaldo

  • Games: 438
  • Goals: 450

Not everyone is going to put Ronaldo as number one all-time for Real Madrid, but his numbers show that he is well-deserving.

He set a ton of records during his nine seasons with the team, scoring 450 times and turning into a force on offense. His individual exploits have him well ahead of several players on this list in scoring categories.

On top of his scoring, the team actually won as well. He has a total of four Champions League titles to his name during his nine seasons with Real Madrid, which shows that he is a true team player while also being individually gifted.

Ronaldo will not only be remembered as one of the greatest Real Madrid players, but as one of the greatest players of all time.