As has always been the case in the Ronaldo vs Messi debate, when Ronaldo does something good he’s the greatest ever, and when Messi does something good he’s the greatest. So since Cristiano’s brace in the Champions League Final the football world have been hailing him as this generation and Real Madrid’s GOAT, and no one ever has or will compare with him.
Of course Madrid have been winning titles and European cups for decades, so for anyone with a memory spanning longer than the last ten years big game players are nothing new. In fact, for the older Real Madrid fans thee European cups in four years isn’t that impressive. So where does Ronaldo rank in Madrid’s greatest ever players?
10. Sergio Ramos
His antics alone in the Champions League Final should have been enough to drop him off the list altogether. It's hard to ignore his big game goals though, without which there would be no decima or undecima. Image Source: Twitter
9. Hugo Sanchez
A man who bicycle kicked before bicycle kicks were cool. The only thing more acrobatic and impressive than his goals were his celebrations. Image Source: Twitter
8. Iker Casillas
Of all the players Mourinho has exiled throughout his career none are more heartbreaking than Casillas. Should have been one of the great one-club men, but will still go down as Madrid's greatest 'keeper. Image Source: Twitter
7. Francisco Gento
No one has more European cups and no one has more La Liga titles than Gento, how can you argue with that. The final part of the Di Stefano/Puskas/Gento triumvirate which made Real Madrid's greatest ever team. Image Source: Twitter
6. Roberto Carlos
What can be said about this man's left foot that hasn't been said already. In Carlos you had a left-back, left midfield and left winger whenever he played.
Image Source: Twitter
5. Raul
One of those great players who like Sol Campbell abandoned club loyalty and moved from a lesser club to their better rivals, and aren't Real glad he did. Albeit down to a bit of luck and Atletico discontinuing their academy. Image Source: Twitter
4. Ferenc Puskas
When Puskas arrived at Real he was 31, three stone overweight and hadn't played competitively for two years. He then went and scored 242 goals in 262 games. Maybe there's hope for Wayne Rooney yet. Image Source: Twitter
3. Alfredo Di Stefano
Yer da will tell you that no one comes close to Di Stefano; and with two Ballon d'Ors, five European cups and eight La Liga titles, maybe he's right.
Image Source: Twitter
2. Cristiano Ronaldo
A once in a generation player. Unfortunately for him, last generation's one is just a little better and edges it as Madrid's greatest. Image Source: Twitter
1. Zinedine Zidane
Not just the greatest manager in football right now, but the greatest player for Real ever.
Image Source: Twitter
That really is some list of players, and shows just how far behind English players have been in comparison to these greats. Gavin Harris was closer to making the list than Owen Hargreaves and Michael Owen, and Becks would have been lucky to make the top 50.
Ronaldo will go down in history as second best to Messi, and unfortunately here he’s playing the same role with Zidane. Forever the bridesmaid.
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