Real Madrid’s midfield has always been the heart of their success. Some of the best midfielders in Real Madrid history have shaped the club’s legacy, making it one of the most successful teams in football. From the early days to the present, these players have dazzled fans with their skills and helped the team win countless trophies.
When you think of Real Madrid, you probably picture some of the world’s greatest midfielders. These players control the game, create chances, and score goals. They’re like the brain of the team, making smart decisions and keeping everything running smoothly.
In this article, we’ll count down the top 10 midfielders who have made Real Madrid so special. Get ready to meet some true football legends who have worn the famous white shirt!
What were the Criteria for Selecting these midfielders?
How did we pick the best midfielders for our list? We looked at a few important things:
- How long they played for Real Madrid
- How many trophies they won with the team
- Any special awards they got for being great players
- How much they helped the team win
We also tried to include players from different times. Football has changed a lot over the years, so we wanted to show that great midfielders come in all styles.
Some midfielders are really good at attacking and scoring goals. Others are better at defending and stopping the other team. We included both types because they’re all important for a team to win.
Remember, football is a team sport. Even if a player didn’t score lots of goals, they might have helped their teammates score instead. That’s why we looked at how each player made the whole team better.
We also thought about what fans and experts say about these players. Sometimes, a player is so good that everyone agrees they’re one of the best!
Top 10 Best Midfielders in Real Madrid History
10. Casemiro (2013-2022)
When you think of a strong, tough midfielder, Casemiro is the perfect example. He joined Real Madrid in 2013 and quickly became a key player for the team. Casemiro was like a superhero on the field, always ready to protect his teammates and stop the other team from scoring.
During his time at Real Madrid, Casemiro won many trophies, including five Champions League titles and three La Liga championships. He played in 336 matches for the club and scored 31 goals. That’s a lot of games and goals for a midfielder!
What made Casemiro special was his unique playing style. He was really good at tackling and winning the ball back from the other team. He worked hard in every game, running all over the field to help his team. Casemiro was like a shield, always there to keep the other team from getting too close to the goal.
Casemiro’s goal against Reading is getting more hype than his goal against JUVENTUS in UCL FINAL. Says a lot about the expectations from the fans. I'm happy tho he's getting pr, he has always deserved.pic.twitter.com/oHdMshZ0pS
— Dr Yash (@YashRMFC) January 29, 2023One of Casemiro’s most memorable moments was when he scored a long-range goal in the Champions League final against Juventus in 2017. It was a super important goal that helped Real Madrid win the match and the trophy.
Casemiro formed a fantastic partnership in midfield with his teammates Toni Kroos and Luka Modric. The three of them worked together like a well-oiled machine, passing the ball and creating chances for the team to score. They were so good that many people called them the best midfield in the world!
Even though Casemiro left Real Madrid in 2022 to join Manchester United, his impact on the club will never be forgotten. He will always be remembered as one of the best midfielders in Real Madrid’s history, a true legend who gave everything for the team.
9. Xabi Alonso (2009-2014)
Xabi Alonso joined Real Madrid in 2009 and quickly became a fan favorite. He played for the club until 2014, helping them win many trophies.
During his time at Real Madrid, Alonso played 236 games and scored 6 goals. He was really good at passing the ball and controlling the game from midfield. Imagine him as the brain of the team, always thinking two steps ahead!
Alonso won some big prizes with Real Madrid. He helped the team win La Liga in 2012, which was super exciting. He also won the Champions League in 2014, but sadly couldn’t play in the final because he got a yellow card in the semi-final.
10 years ago Xabi Alonso did this famous celebration in the UCL final, today he won Leverkusen their first ever league title
What a story it has been for him 🤍 pic.twitter.com/kd6FqYWSEo
— MS 🇸🇪 (Fan) (@madridistaswe1) April 14, 2024One of Alonso’s best moments came in a match against Barcelona in 2012. Real Madrid won 2-1, and Alonso was the star of the show. He played so well that day, it was like watching a magician with a football!
Even though Alonso left Real Madrid in 2014, fans still remember him fondly. He was a clever player who made the team better just by being on the pitch. Kids who watched him play wanted to be just like him when they grew up.
Today, Alonso is a coach and might even come back to manage Real Madrid one day. Wouldn’t that be cool?
8. Claude Makelele (2000-2003)
Claude Makelele joined Real Madrid in 2000 and quickly became a key player. He played 145 games for the club and scored 2 goals. That might not sound like many goals, but Makelele’s job wasn’t to score. He was there to help the team in other ways.
Makelele won lots of trophies with Real Madrid. He helped the team win two Spanish leagues, the Champions League, and other important cups. His biggest moment came in 2002 when Real Madrid won the Champions League final against Bayer Leverkusen.
You might wonder what made Makelele so special. Well, he was like a superhero in midfield! He could win the ball back from the other team and pass it to his teammates. He always knew where to be on the pitch, which helped Real Madrid a lot.
🗣️ “Everyone knew – ask any player – that while Claude was at Real Madrid he was our best player,” said Fernando Hierro of an era that included Roberto Carlos, Zidane, Figo, Raul and Ronaldo
🎁 Happy birthday to one of the best holding midfielders in history Makele pic.twitter.com/aGumX0QF4R
— S A M E D (@samed4u2nv) February 21, 2021Makelele played in a way that made his job look easy, but it was really hard. He worked very hard to help his team. People started calling his position on the pitch “The Makelele Role” because he did it so well.
Even though Makelele left Real Madrid in 2003, people still remember how great he was. He showed that you don’t need to score lots of goals to be a football star. Sometimes, the players who work hard behind the scenes are just as important!
7. Clarence Seedorf (1996-2000)
Clarence Seedorf joined Real Madrid in 1996 and quickly became a key player for the team. He spent four successful seasons with the club, making 159 appearances and scoring 20 goals. Seedorf’s unique playing style combined strength, skill, and intelligence, making him one of the most complete midfielders in the game.
In his first season, Seedorf helped Real Madrid win the La Liga title. The following year, he played a major role in the team’s Champions League success, as they beat Juventus 1-0 in the final to lift the trophy. Seedorf’s powerful performances in midfield were crucial to the team’s victories.
Clarence Seedorf was brilliant at Real Madrid!
(via @MyGreatest11)pic.twitter.com/ZY9ZOWA4Q3
— 90s Football (@90sfootball) March 18, 2024One of Seedorf’s most memorable moments at Real Madrid came in 1997 when he scored a stunning long-range goal against Atlético Madrid. His ability to create magic on the pitch made him a fan favorite at the Santiago Bernabéu.
Seedorf’s time at Real Madrid left a lasting impact on the club. His skill, leadership, and winning mentality helped the team achieve great success and cemented his status as one of the best midfielders in Real Madrid history.
6. Míchel (1982-1996)
Míchel played for Real Madrid from 1982 to 1996, and he was one of the best midfielders in the club’s history. He scored an impressive 178 goals in 559 games, which shows just how good he was at attacking.
What made Míchel special was his amazing ability to pass the ball and create chances for his teammates. He could use both feet well, but his right foot was extra special. His crosses were so accurate that strikers like Hugo Sánchez and Iván Zamorano loved playing with him because they knew Michel would help them score lots of goals.
Míchel and Emilio Butragueño formed one of the coolest partnerships in football. They played so well together and made Real Madrid really hard to beat. With Míchel in the team, Real Madrid won the league title five times in a row, which is a super impressive achievement.
Some of Míchel’s most unforgettable moments include scoring a hat-trick (that means three goals in one game!) for Spain against South Korea at the 1990 World Cup. He also helped Real Madrid win the UEFA Cup twice, proving that he could shine on the biggest stages in football.
Míchel’s legacy at Real Madrid is huge. He dedicated over a decade of his career to the club, and his performances and achievements will always be remembered by the fans. He showed that midfielders don’t just pass the ball – they can score goals and be the stars of the team too.
5. Fernando Redondo (1994-2000)
Fernando Redondo joined Real Madrid in 1994 and quickly became a key player for the team. He played as a defensive midfielder, which means his job was to protect the defense and help start attacks.
Redondo had a unique style of playing that made him stand out. He moved with grace and always seemed in control of the ball. His passes were accurate and he could break up the other team’s attacks easily.
During his time at Real Madrid, Redondo helped the club win many trophies. He played 268 games in the Spanish league and scored 12 goals. His best moments came in the Champions League, especially in the 1999-2000 season.
Here's Fernando Redondo in action during Real Madrid's 1998 Champions League semi-final in Dortmund. Sublime. pic.twitter.com/mUAjiwAaQN
— 90s Football (@90sfootball) November 4, 2023In a famous game against Manchester United, Redondo did an amazing trick where he passed the ball around a defender using his heel. This led to a goal and showed just how skilled he was.
Redondo’s performances for Real Madrid made him a legend at the club. The fans loved him and gave him the nickname “The Prince”.
He was voted into Real Madrid’s best-ever foreign players XI and the club’s all-time best XI by fans. Even though he left in 2000, Redondo will always be remembered as one of the greatest midfielders to wear the famous white shirt.
4. Jose Pirri (1964-1980)
Jose Pirri was a true legend at Real Madrid. He played for the club from 1964 to 1980 and gave his heart and soul on the pitch. Pirri could play in different positions, like a midfielder, defender, or even a forward when needed. He scored a lot of goals too – 172 in total during his time at Madrid.
Pirri’s numbers show how amazing he was. He played 561 games for Real Madrid, which is a huge amount. He also won many trophies, including 10 La Liga titles. Pirri was a leader on the field and even captained the team to many victories.
What made Pirri special was his fighting spirit. He never gave up, even when he was hurt. In the 1971 European Cup Winners’ Cup final, he played with his arm in a cast! And in the 1975 Copa del Rey final, he played with a fever and a broken jaw. That’s how much he loved the club.
Pirri will always be remembered as one of the greatest midfielders in Real Madrid’s history. He was a warrior who gave everything for the famous white shirt. His legacy continues to inspire young players who dream of playing for this incredible club.
3. Toni Kroos (2014-2024)
Toni Kroos joined Real Madrid in 2014 and quickly became a star player. He helped the team win many trophies, including five Champions League titles and four La Liga championships.
Kroos played 430 games for Real Madrid, scoring 28 goals and making 99 assists. He was known for his amazing passing skills and ability to control the game from midfield.
When you watched Kroos play, you saw a player who always seemed calm. He could pass the ball perfectly, even when other players were trying to stop him. This made him very special.
Toni Kroos orchestrating play 🎻#UCL pic.twitter.com/Vh53n2biSH
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) March 25, 2024One of Kroos’ best moments was in the 2018 Champions League final. He helped Real Madrid beat Liverpool 3-1. Fans will always remember how he played in big games like this.
Kroos left Real Madrid in 2024 after 10 great years. He will go down in history as one of the best midfielders the club has ever had. Kids who love football will talk about Kroos for many years to come.
2. Luka Modrić (2012-present)
Luka Modric joined Real Madrid in 2012, and he’s still playing for them today! That’s a long time, isn’t it? He’s like a superhero on the football field.
Modric has won lots of trophies with Real Madrid. He’s helped the team win the Champions League six times! Can you imagine winning such a big competition that many times? He’s also won the Spanish league four times.
When Modric plays, he’s like a magician with the ball. He can pass it to his teammates so well, it’s like he has eyes in the back of his head! He’s also really good at keeping the ball away from other players.
One of Modric’s best moments was in 2018. He won a special award called the Ballon d’Or. This means people thought he was the best football player in the whole world that year!
Modric is now 38 years old, but he’s still playing great football. He signed a new contract with Real Madrid in July 2024, so he’ll keep playing for them until 2025. He’s now the captain of the team, which means he’s like the leader on the field.
Everyone at Real Madrid loves Modric. He’s played more than 400 games for the team. That’s a lot of football! He’s won more trophies than any other player in Real Madrid’s history – 27 in total. Wow!
Modric will always be remembered as one of Real Madrid’s best players ever. He’s shown that you don’t have to be the biggest or strongest to be a great footballer. You just need to be smart and work hard!
1. Zinedine Zidane (2001-2006)
Zinedine Zidane, or ‘Zizou’ as fans call him, joined Real Madrid in 2001. He quickly became a star player for the team. Zidane played 227 games for Real Madrid and scored 49 goals. That’s a lot of goals for a midfielder!
Zidane had a special way of playing football. He moved gracefully on the field and could control the ball like magic. His passes were so good, it seemed like he could see things other players couldn’t. Zidane made hard moves look easy.
One of Zidane’s best moments came in the 2002 Champions League final. He scored an amazing goal with his left foot, helping Real Madrid win the trophy. Everyone still talks about this goal today!
Zidane won many awards while playing for Real Madrid. He got the FIFA World Player of the Year award in 2003. This shows how great he was at football.
Even after he stopped playing, Zidane kept helping Real Madrid. He became the team’s coach and won many more trophies. Under his leadership, Real Madrid won the Champions League three times in a row from 2016 to 2018. This had never happened before!
Zidane’s time at Real Madrid made him a legend. He showed that you can be skillful and kind on the football field. Many young players now want to play like Zidane. His style and success will always be remembered at Real Madrid.
Wrapping it Up
Real Madrid’s history boasts some of the best midfielders the world has ever seen. These players have dazzled fans with their amazing skills and helped the team win many trophies. They have left a lasting mark on the club, making Real Madrid a powerhouse in football.
These midfield legends have inspired young players around the world. Their legacy lives on at the Bernabeu, where fans eagerly watch for the next great talent to shine. As you look to the future, you can expect more exciting midfield stars to emerge and continue this incredible tradition.
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