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Real Madrid have emerged as one of the most successful European clubs in this century. The Spanish giants have won a host of trophies in the last few decades, with no club currently boasting more Champions League titles than them in that period.
From the strictly Galactico era to the current generation, a host of exceptional players have donned the white jersey of Los Blancos. The Madrid giants have had some of the most entertaining forwards in recent years, and they haven't lacked in defensive charisma either. Meanwhile, some of the best midfield and goalkeeping talents have also made their marks at the Santiago Bernabeu since the start of the 21st century.
Having said that, we take a look at the 10 greatest Real Madrid players of this century:
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#10 Toni Kroos
Many talented midfielders have passed through Real Madrid in this century, but very few can claim to have made an impact like Toni Kroos.
The quiet German joined Los Blancos from Bayern Munich in the summer of 2014 and he hasn’t looked back since. He has helped the club win four Champions League titles, three of which came consecutively in 2016, 2017 and 2018. Not only is he good with both feet, but he also has a great eye for the final pass.
The 30-year-old may not have received the deserved credit for his impeccable performances at the Bernabeu but he is definitely one of Real Madrid’s greatest players in this century.
#9 Ronaldo Nazario Lima
Ronaldo Nazario Lima spent five years at Real Madrid in what could best be described as a mixed spell. The Brazilian was often beset by issues of injury, but he still managed to leave his mark at the Santiago Bernabeu.
When he joined Real Madrid from Inter Milan in 2002, he was the biggest personality in world football. Although he never managed to win the Champion League with Los Blancos, he scored many goals and won a series of other trophies with the club.
Ronaldo departed Real Madrid in 2007, having scored an astonishing 83 goals in 127 games in all competitions.
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#8 Karim Benzema
Perhaps one of the most underrated players in football currently, Karim Benzema has been a top athlete since joining Real Madrid. The Frenchman moved from Olympique Lyon to the Santiago Bernabeu in 2009 and has since become the club’s first-choice striker.
Other forwards have come and gone but Benzema has managed to prove his worth in the last decade, helping the club win numerous laurels, including four Champions League titles.
While many regard the Frenchman as wasteful in front of goal, he is currently fourth on Real Madrid’s all-time top scorers' list.
#7 Marcelo
Marcelo moved to Real Madrid in 2007 after coming through the ranks at Fluminense and for many years, the defender made the left-back position his own.
The Brazil international may have currently lost his position to Ferland Mendy but he has certainly paid his dues to the club. He was a vital cog of the Madrid set-up during his prime and was one of the main providers for Cristiano Ronaldo during the Portuguese's free-scoring stint with Los Blancos.
Not since the days of Roberto Carlos has the Madrid giants seen such an explosive left-back. Marcelo surely made the club’s fans dream and has perhaps even surpassed the legacy of his compatriot at Madrid.
#6 Luka Modric
When you judge a player like Luka Modric by goals, you are very likely to underrate his overall game. The Croatia international is a complete midfielder and you don’t need numbers to realise how good he is.
When he joined Real Madrid from Tottenham in 2012, very few believed he would shine in Spain. After an underwhelming first season, many even concluded that the midfielder would be a flop.
However, Modric turned things around and became one of the key players as Los Blancos won four Champions League titles in five years, even winning the Ballon d'Or for his exploits in 2018. He is definitely a Bernabeu great and very few midfielders who have played for the Madrid giants in this century can match his impact at the club.
#5 Iker Casillas
Iker Casillas recently announced his retirement from football after playing the beautiful game for over two decades. A chunk of that period was spent at Real Madrid, where he rose through the ranks to become the club’s first-choice goalkeeper and captain.
The 38-year-old won numerous trophies at the Santiago Bernabeu and played with different generations of players. The Spaniard plied his trade in the era of Zinedine Zidane and Fernando Hierro and also played with the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modric.
Not many clubs are lucky to have a goalkeeper as committed as Casillas because he was not only talented but was also a leader in every sense. He played a pivotal role in Real Madrid’s return to the top after the club's period of struggle in the mid-2000s.
#4 Zinedine Zidane
When Zinedine Zidane joined Real Madrid from Juventus in 2001, many knew the club had signed a special player.
The Frenchman’s goal in the 2002 UEFA Champions League final against Bayer Leverkusen still stands out as one of the competition’s best goals ever. That the former midfielder retired while still playing top-level football– and without losing form– typifies the kind of player he was for Los Blancos.
Zidane grew into a legendary player at the Santiago Bernabeu and has since made his return to the club in a managerial capacity.
#3 Raul Gonzalez
For many years, Raul Gonzalez was the undisputed poster boy for Real Madrid. The former Spain international was a predator in front of goal and scored many goals in the club’s white jersey.
The former striker joined Real Madrid's youth academy in 1992 and rose through the ranks to become a regular in the first team. He continued to develop and helped the club to numerous titles, both domestically and in Europe, before departing the Bernabeu in 2010 as the club’s all-time top scorer. His 323 goals stood as a club record until the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo, who later surpassed the Spanish legend.
Raul gave Madrid fans several memorable moments on the pitch and he will always hold a legendary status at the club.
#2 Sergio Ramos
No player symbolises Real Madrid’s recent successes more than Sergio Ramos. The defender joined the club from Sevilla in 2005 and quickly settled in the Santiago Bernabeu, becoming one of the club’s most trusted lieutenants.
Ramos is currently the captain of the club and he is showing no signs of slowing down at the age of 33. He has won four UEFA Champions League titles and numerous other trophies since moving to Los Blancos.
The Spaniard may be known for his incredulous red card record but his goal contribution as a defender is simply phenomenal. He’s netted many important goals in his career and his equaliser in the 2014 Champions League final stands out as one of his major contributions to Real Madrid.
#1 Cristiano Ronaldo
No player has been more impactful at Real Madrid in this century than Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese ace arrived at the Bernabeu at a time when things were not going well for the club. However, his goalscoring prowess soon pushed them from being an underperforming side back to the top of European football.
The 35-year-old was incredibly influential in the club’s three consecutive UEFA Champions League wins, emerging as the top-scorer in the European competition in each of those seasons. He netted a record-breaking 450 goals for the Madrid giants before leaving them for Juventus in 2018.
Ronaldo remains the club’s all-time top scorer and his goal tally is unlikely to be surpassed anytime soon. He has etched his name as arguably the greatest player in the Real Madrid history and his status at the club will forever remain legendary.
