GK: Iker Casillas
The definitive Real Madrid goalkeeper of the modern age. Casillas had lightning fast reflexes and was a reliable presence at the Bernabeu for close to two decades, in which time he won five La Liga titles and four Champions League trophies during one of the most successful periods in the club’s history.
RB: Dani Carvajal
So often the unsung hero of the team, overshadowed by bigger names but always dependable. Having returned from a knee injury, Carvajal continues to be a reliable presence in the Madrid backline, although his influence is starting to wane as he approaches his mid 30s. With six Champions League trophies and four La Liga titles, Carvajal will rightly enter the history books as a bona fide Real Madrid legend.
CB: Fernando Hierro
The Sergio Ramos of the 90s – Hierro was an aerially dominant centre-back with excellent technique with an excellent goal return. In 601 games for Real Madrid, the Spaniard scored 127 times, a truly remarkable return for a defensive player. In his time in white, Hierro won five La Liga trophies and three Champions League trophies.
CB: Sergio Ramos
Real Madrid’s most iconic defender and captain. Ramos was the ultimate centre-back; aggressive, dominant and with a handy knack of scoring when it mattered most, including the 2014 Champions League final, often referred to as the single greatest moment in club history.
LB: Marcelo
A very close call to include Marcelo over Roberto Carlos, but his involvement in Madrid’s sustained European success gets the younger Brazilian star the nod. Marcelo redefined what it meant to be a full-back, often operating as one of Real Madrid’s main creative outlets, operating almost as a midfield in possession.
CM: Luka Modrić
Real Madrid’s midfield metronome, but it wasn’t always rosy for the Croatian. Luka Modrić got off to a slow start in Spain and was subsequently voted the worst signing of 2012 by the local press, but things soon picked up. He was almost impossible to press and had an eye for the killer pass. Still bossing the midfield over in Serie A, despite celebrating his 40th birthday earlier in the season.
CM: Toni Kroos
Quite possibly the best long passer the game has ever seen, Kroos’ passing arsenal was unparalleled. Rarely wasteful in possession, his efficiency with the ball was a key part of the reason Real Madrid dominated Europe for nearly a decade.
CM: Zinedine Zidane
It was always going to take a special sort of player to complete this iconic Madrid midfield, and few come close to Zidane. The Frenchman was a unique blend of creativity, physicality and charisma, remembered fondly for scoring one of the greatest goals of all time in the 2002 Champions League final against Bayer Leverkusen.
FW: Alfredo Di Stéfano
One of the great architects of Real Madrid’s dominance. Di Stéfano is recognised as one of the greatest players of all time, forming a ferocious partnership with Ferenc Puskás during the late 1950s. Di Stéfano’s goal return of 306 in 392 appearances was unheard of until a certain Portuguese forward arrived…
FW: Raúl
It’s easy to forget just how good Raúl was for over a decade. During his 16 seasons with Real Madrid, he won it all, scoring goals for fun and always delivering in the big moments. Raúl broke into the first team as a teenager, replacing the iconic Emilio Butragueño and not looking back. By the time he moved to Schalke 04 in 2010, Raúl had scored 323 goals for Los Blancos.
FW: Cristiano Ronaldo
Real Madrid’s ultimate match-winner, Cristiano Ronaldo is undoubtedly in the conversation about the footballing GOAT. It didn’t matter the occasion, opposition or tactics, Ronaldo found the back of the net. His rivalry with Lionel Messi put La Liga alone at the top of the footballing world during the 2010s, with both pushing each other to dizzying heights. Real Madrid’s greatest player of all time.
