Top 5 foreign players to play for Real Madrid

One of the greatest if not the greatest club side of all time, Real Madrid have had some true legends of the game pull on the all white shirt. The Spanish giants are the most successful team in Europe and while they have had the very best Spanish players play for them, they have also had some incredibly talented foreigners who have contributed to Madrid’s success.

Never afraid of spending big in the transfer market, Madrid have always gone out and bought the players they most desired. To pick the top 5 among so much talent is no easy task and some incredibly skilful and talented players like Luis Figo, Ronaldo Nazario and Gareth Bale miss out.

Here are the top 5 foreign players to play for Real Madrid:

#5 Zinedine Zidane

One of the greatest players to ever play the game, Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane lit up the Spanish League with his magical performances. Part of the famous galacticos project Zizou, as he was fondly known, was signed by Real Madrid for a then world record transfer from Juventus.

The Frenchman proved to be worth every penny as he showcased his class and incredible technical ability on a regular basis to help Real Madrid win a La Liga and a Champions League title during his 5-year spell.

Zidane’s finest moment in a Real Madrid shirt came in the 2002 UEFA Champions League final against Bayer Leverkusen where he scored a wonderful hooked volley to win Los Blancos their favourite trophy.

A man who had a huge impact on and off the pitch, Zidane’s contribution to the Madrid cause will always be remembered fondly by the Madridistas. Currently Real Madrid’s manager, the legendary Frenchman will be looking to guide Real Madrid to yet more success at the end of this season.

#4 Ferenc Puskas

Blessed with a thunderous left foot and superb positioning skills, Ferenc Puskas is easily one of the greatest finishers to ever play the game. Although the legendary Hungarian did leave Budapest after the 1958 revolution and played for Spain on 4 occasions, Puskas is known more for his time with the Hungarian national team and has been considered in this list.

Joining Real Madrid in the second half of his career (aged 31), Puskas formed a deadly combination with the great Alfredo Di Stefano as the duo tore up defences and guided the Los Blancos to five straight league titles and three European Cups.

The legendary Hungarian striker was La Liga’s top scorer for 4 seasons in a row. His phenomenal goals scoring prowess can be seen from the fact that he scored an astonishing 242 goals from 262 games for Los Blancos.

A true legend of the game, Puskas broke a number of goalscoring records during his time at Real Madrid.

#3 Roberto Carlos

The greatest attacking full-back of all time, Roberto Carlos spent 11 extremely successful seasons at the Santiago Bernabeu where he won 4 La Liga titles and 3 Champions Leagues.

Real Madrid’s most capped foreign player with 584 appearances, Roberto Carlos made the left flank his own, bombing up and down and putting several inspirational performances. Former Real Madrid and Spain national team manager, Vicente del Bosque complimented the Brazilian’s immense work rate when he said:

"Roberto Carlos can cover the entire [left] wing all on his own."

The legendary Brazilian also contributed with crucial goals several times during his long career, scoring some spectacular and scarcely believable free-kicks in his career. Carlos won every trophy possible with Real Madrid and he was one of the biggest stars in the galactico era for Los Blancos.

#2 Cristiano Ronaldo

Undoubtedly one of the greatest players of all time, Cristiano Ronaldo is the talisman of the dominating Real Madrid side of the present generation. Ronaldo joined Real Madrid from Manchester United for a then world record fee of £80 million and he has been worth every single penny so far.

Ever since his move to Real Madrid, his goalscoring exploits have been simply mind boggling. In 378 appearances, Ronaldo has scored an astonishing 387 goals and has been at the forefront of Real Madrid’s two Champions League triumphs in the last 3 years.

He is already the club’s record all-time goalscorer and he has broken a host of goalscoring records during his time at Madrid such as having the most hat-tricks and he is also the all-time Champions League top scorer.

The Portuguese superstar has won 1 La Liga, 2 Champions Leagues, 2 Copa del Reys, 2 FIFA Club World Cups and 2 UEFA Super Cups. The only reason why the legendary Portuguese Superstar is not number 1 is because of the lack of trophies.

With Real Madrid favourites to win the La Liga this year and Ronaldo having signed a new 5 year contract, we might well see Ronaldo as the best Real Madrid player of all time when he finally decides to hang up his boots.

#1 Alfredo di Stefano

Undoubtedly the player who redefined Real Madrid’s legacy as one of the greatest club teams in the world, Di Stefano along with Cristiano Ronaldo is undoubtedly among the best Real Madrid players of all time.

Not many people know that Real Madrid legend Alfredo Di Stefano had initially signed for Barcelona in the year 1953 after a dispute over his signature with Madrid. The Spanish federation came up with a ludicrous solution where Di Stefano would play alternate seasons at both clubs, however, Barcelona withdrew from the agreement in protest leaving Di Stefano free to sign for their great rivals Real Madrid.

Although his move might be controversial, there is no denying the huge impact he had during his time at Los Blancos. Di Stefano scored an incredible 308 goals in 396 appearances for Real Madrid and won an amazing amount of trophies. Di Stefano is also the only player to score in 5 European Cup finals.

8 La Liga titles, 5 European Cups, 1 Copa Del Rey and 1 Intercontinental cup won during Di Stefano’s time show what a huge impact the Argentine had. A true Real Madrid icon, Di Stefano is not only the best foreign payer to ever play for Madrid, he is also the greatest Real Madrid player of all time.