Ranking the 75 best players in Real Madrid history
45. José María Zárraga
Legendary midfielder José María Zárraga spent over a decade at Real Madrid, mostly in the 50’s. He won five straight European Cups with Real Madrid, making him one of the most successful players to ever suit up for the club. Zárraga was the beating heart for Real in midfield with his lion heart. Never afraid to put everything on the line to defend for the team, Zárraga captained the team at one point and helped the superstar forwards shine.
44. Rafael Gordillo
Rafael Gordillo made 182 appearances for Real Madrid from 1985 to 1992, absolutely owning the flank as a four-team LaLiga winner and one-time UEFA Cup winner. Gordillo was the definition of a fan favorite during his time in the Spanish capital, and you cannot tell the story of the 80’s without Gordillo, who was worth every bit of the hype after joining from Real Betis, where he won the Copa del Rey – a competition he would also win in Madrid.
43. Vicente del Bosque
A future legendary, Champions League-winning coach, Vicente del Bosque was an impressive player for Real Madrid, too. Del Bosque’s intelligence as a manager was visible in the midfield as a player, commanding a great deal of respect with five league titles and four Copas del Rey. He was a coach on the field and someone the coaches loved – all of them who worked with del Bosque. So it’s no wonder he won two UCLs and two league titles with the Merengues as a manager later!
42. Rafael Martín Vázquez
Martín Vázquez started his Real Madrid career at Castilla in 1980, and a few years later, he was on the first team. The Madrid-born attacking midfielder was part of La Quina del Buitre, playing his part in supporting one of the greatest attacks of the era. Martín Vázquez won LaLiga six times and the Copa del Rey twice, establishing himself as one of the most skilled playmakers of his time.
41. Predrag Mijatović
A director of football for Real Madrid, Predrag Mijatović is one of many elite strikers to have plied his trade at the Santiago Bernabéu. Mijatović spent just three seasons with the Merengues but played like a legend, coming second in the Ballon d’Or voting in 1997. That is no short feat, given he made it in second over Zinedine Zidane and only lost to another future Galactic Madridista, Ronaldo Nazário.
Mijatović will forever live in history for scoring the goal in the Champions League Final that broke Los Merengues’ 32-year drought of true European championships – the UEFA Cup is really just the Europa League.