Real Madrid: Ranking the 10 greatest forwards in club history

Real Madrid's Raul celebrates after scoring a second half goal against Manchester United during the UEFA Champions League quarter final second leg match at Old Trafford in Manchester 19 April 2000. Real Madrid won 3-2 to advance to the semi-finals. electronic image uk out (Photo by Adrian DENNIS / AFP) (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Real Madrid's Raul celebrates after scoring a second half goal against Manchester United during the UEFA Champions League quarter final second leg match at Old Trafford in Manchester 19 April 2000. Real Madrid won 3-2 to advance to the semi-finals. electronic image uk out (Photo by Adrian DENNIS / AFP) (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images)
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Brazillian Ronaldo at Real Madrid
Real Madrid, Ronaldo (Photo credit should read CHRISTOPHE SIMON/AFP via Getty Images)

Real Madrid has undoubtedly seen many great forwards brace their football pitch over the years.

Some of Real Madrid‘s forwards were great talents before they came to the club and became legends at the Santiago Bernabéu; others groomed as promising talents going on to become stars. Here is the list of Los Blancos’ 10 greatest forwards.

10. Ronaldo

The Brazillian World Cup winner was a phenomenal player. ‘Il Fenomeno,’ they called him. He was probably the greatest pure striker the football world has witnessed. He joined Real Madrid in 2002 and won the Balon D’or that season. He also went on to win the Pichichi (highest goal scorer award in a La Liga season) in his second season, scoring 25 goals in 32 games.

Real Madrid fans saw some amazing performances during his stay at Madrid. In particular, scoring a hat-trick in a Champions League quarterfinal away fixture against Manchester United that earned him a standing ovation from the Old Trafford faithful. In his five years at Real Madrid, he featured in 177 games and scored 104 goals that led to one La Liga title, an Intercontinental Cup and a Spanish Supercopa.

Real Madrid  (Photo credit should read CURTO DE LA TORRE/AFP via Getty Images)
Real Madrid  (Photo credit should read CURTO DE LA TORRE/AFP via Getty Images)

9. Juanito

Juan Gomez, better known as Juanito, is seen as the symbol of Madridismo. He was not the most prolific goal scorer or the most skilled ball-player, but his commitment to winning made him an unbelievable force on the pitch.

During the Spaniards time in Madrid, the club went on to win many big games with massive comebacks, and Juanito was at the heart of all those ‘remontadas.’ His never say die attitude and fight till the end frame of mind is known as “the spirit of Juanito” by the Real Madrid fans.

Karim Benzema celebrating with Vinicius
Karim Benzema of Real Madrid (Photo by Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)

8. Karim Benzema

Karim Benzema joined Real Madrid from Lyon in 2009. Early on, he had a tough competition with Higuain for the no.9 spot, but soon he made the position his own.

The French forward went on to be part of the famous BBC trio along with Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale; they went on to win the coveted La Decima for the team from Madrid.

While Benzema might be a divisive figure among the Real Madrid supporters, it is undeniable the contribution he has made to the team that won four Champions League trophies in five years. He has scored 241 goals in 501 appearances for Real Madrid making the Frenchman the fifth highest goalscorer in the club’s history.