Ranking players in Real Madrid is particularly challenging because their teams have always been star-studded. The goalkeeper position has seen a lot of transition through over a century of glorious history. It is no surprise that several promising names may be missed, even the current man between the sticks, Thibaut Courtois. He is a fine talent and has been decisive for Los Blancos and would surely make it into this list in the future. On that note, here is a compiled list of the five best goalkeepers in Real Madrid’s history.
5. Keylor Navas
One of the more recent names to have piloted the responsibility between the sticks for Real Madrid is Keylor Navas. A Costa Rican international, Navas was brought into the club on a six-year deal in 2014 after his incredible World Cup while Iker Casillas still had the gloves on for Los Blancos. He took a little time to shine at Madrid and could only reach his best after the big Spaniard departed for Porto.
Navas inherited the No. 1 jersey after a swap deal with Manchester United’s David de Gea fell apart due to untimely paperwork. Once, he had reserved his permanent spot between the sticks, there was no going back. The Costa Rican was all among the records while his time in Madrid and became one of the best keepers in the league for the seasons that he played.
He surpassed several records like being the only non-Spanish keeper to go past 100 appearances in LaLiga for Real Madrid and the first and only Costa Rican player to win the Champions League. He won three Champions League titles, one Copa del Rey, four FIFA Club World Cups, and three UEFA Super Cups with Real Madrid before joining PSG in 2019.
He makes it into this list riding on his terrific performances that led to three Champions League titles for Real Madrid. There are uncountable instances when the team depended upon Navas’s brilliance between the sticks, the Champions League final against Liverpool in 2018 is one such example and the current PSG-man produced many more similar shows in the Royal White kit.
4. Miguel Angel
A twelve-time national and two-time European Champion, Miguel Angel continues to be one of the club legends for Los Blancos. He defended the White’s goal for nearly two decades. Being the first-choice keeper even after being joined by Garcia Remon and Augustin speaks volumes about what his presence meant to his side.
He started his goal-keeping journey as a handball player and later transitioned to football. He was playing for Ourense when his talent was spotted and brought to a Los Blancos side that featured goal-keepers like Junquera which restricted him to remain as a back-up.
From 1973-74 season, he became the first-choice keeper after proving his worth as a rotational keeper during injuries. His agility and positioning in the goal coupled with his full-length saves on the stretch earned him the nickname of ‘El Gato’ or ‘the cat’.
He was succeeded by Garcia Remon who was signed as a reserve for the aging Angel but throughout their time together, they formed a partnership and were feared by many in the Spanish football community as the most effective keeping-duo.
His 12 national titles included six Ligas, one league cup, and six Copa del Rey. He won the Ricardo Zamora Trophy presented to the best keeper of LaLiga in the 1975-76 season as well as the Don Balon award for the best Spanish player in the same year.
3. Juan Alonso
It is often said that Real Madrid made European Club football happen, winning the first five European Cups. And, in most of it, Juan Alonso’s contributions remain pristine. He earned 2 caps for the Spain national football team. Alonso, often called Juanito, won the Ricardo Zamora Trophy for the best keeper in the league during the 1954–55 season.
Bagging as many as four league titles and five European Cups, it wouldn’t be wrong to say that Alonso was one of those who started the passage of glory for the Royal Whites. Defending the White goal for as long as 14 seasons, he had 225 professional appearances for the club.
Like so many other Basque goalkeepers, he learned how to play the game on the beach. At the age of 18, he signed for Logrones and from there he moved to Ferrol where his fine performances did not go unnoticed by Real Madrid who signed him in 1949. Although every season new goalkeepers arrived to provide him with competition, Juanito Alonso never lost his place in the Madrid goal.
He played alongside a great company that included the likes of Alfredo Di Stefano and Puskas. A permanent between the sticks, his career ended after a mysterious collar-bone problem after 14 seasons and 18 major titles with the club.
2. Ricardo Zamora
Ricardo Zamora, nicknamed El Divino played for Real Madrid between 1930 and 1936. A Catalan by birth, he had featured for Espanyol and FC Barcelona before he made his move to the capital. He was noted for wearing a cloth cap and a white jumper with a Polo neck whenever on the field. His testimonies later revealed that it was supposed to protect him from the sun and his opponents.
Known for his athleticism, sharp reflexes, and accurate handling between the sticks, he was elected the best Spanish Goal-keeper, fourth-best in Europe, and fifth-best in the world in 1999. He also made it into the list of the greatest players of the twentieth century, curated by World Soccer Magazine. The trophy for the best goalkeeper in LaLiga, is named after him – the Ricardo Zamora Trophy.
Zamora tasted quick success. His first league title came in the 1931-32 season, which they retained through 33-34 season. In 1934, Francisco Bru took over and led Zamora and co. to two back-to-back Copa de Espana titles. The final in 1936 was particularly memorable when a 10-man Los Blancos side beat Barca 2-1.
Zamora was also a country-legend. He remained the most capped player of his time until being surpassed by Jose Angel Iribar. He makes it into the list based on his decorations. To have a trophy in LaLiga named after you isn’t an ordinary feat. He is well and truly a legend between the sticks.
1. Iker Casillas
Iker Casillas or San Iker as he is called is undoubtedly a modern-day Saint of the game. When talking about Real Madrid’s goalkeepers, Casillas the first name that would pop in anyone’s mind. Known for his amazing shot-spotting abilities, he is someone who played at all levels of Real Madrid, starting from the junior team.
He achieved over a thousand professional appearances for Los Blancos, was a first-team captain, and has the record for most clean-sheets in Champions League as well as for the Spanish National team. He won the Champions League for Real Madrid Castilla at 19 years and four days old to become the youngest goalkeeper to win the competition.
This was followed by an obvious promotion to the senior team and the rest as they say is history. Iker Casillas is Spain’s most decorated keeper. The 2008 World Cup winner went on to win every single competition at the club level with Los Blancos. This included five league titles and three UEFA Champions League among the 18 major titles by his name.
An absolute club legend, he left his decorated legacy at Real Madrid when he decided to make a move to Porto on a free transfer in 2015. He was succeeded by the very capable Keylor Navas and that started the post-Casillas spell of success for Real Madrid.
He makes into this list at the top because there is no bigger name when it comes to goalkeepers in the Royal White kit. Some honorable mentions who couldn’t make it to the list are Thibaut Courtois, Santiago Canizares, Augustin, and Francisco Buyo.