Ranking Real Madrid’s top 5 defensive midfielders of all-time

3. Claude Makelele (2000-2004)

It would be a travesty not to consider Makelele among the best defensive midfielders in club history. In fact, if there was a list of the most underappreciated players in Real Madrid history, Makelele would be on it.

The Frenchman was an essential backbone of the team and was possibly one of the most successful galactico acquisitions, leaving an influence unlike any other in the limited time he provided Real Madrid in his career.

If you were to characterize Makelele in one word, it would be ‘machine.’ He pursued opponents all over the field, pushed for the full 90 minutes as if he had three lungs, and was absolutely unstoppable.

Even today, many people are unaware of the revolution Makelele brought to the defensive midfield position. The role is actually titled “Makelele Role” in his honor, and it is aptly befitting his stature. Making his debut in the year 2000, with Florentino Perez’s attempt to make Real the home of superstars, Makelele quickly carved a spot in the starting XI, which is an accomplishment in itself.

Football “aficionados” nowadays would dismiss Makelele as dull due to the simplicity of his playing, yet that is precisely where his elegance sat. The player made the most difficult defence jobs appear surprisingly easy and was a master of his craft.

Makelele won seven titles in three years with Real Madrid, including two LaLiga crowns and a Champions League trophy, which would not have been possible without the discipline and steadiness he brought to the field.