Vinicius 10th, Ramos 3rd, Ronaldo, the 20 greatest players in Real Madrid’s Champions League history

With 15 Champions Leagues to their name, Real Madrid have seen some exceptional players make their mark on European football. From Di Stéfano to Vinicius Jr, a number of stars have taken the Casa Blanca club to the top of UEFA’s biggest competition. Our editors have compiled the Top 20 of Real Madrid’s greatest Champions League players.

Real Madrid’s dominance of the Champions League is unrivalled, and their legacy in the competition is forged by legends whose names are forever etched in footballing history. Since its first five wins in Europe’s most prestigious competition (1956-1960), the club has consistently nurtured its success with outstanding players. Real Madrid’s history in the Champions League is not simply a record of victories, but also an epic tale of legendary performances and memorable moments.

In this long line of heroes, Cristiano Ronaldo stands out as the greatest. The Portuguese striker, now with Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia, scored 105 Champions League goals for Real Madrid. But he was also a key figure in the club’s conquest of four European titles. His exploits, such as his hat-trick against Wolfsburg in 2016 or his hat-trick against Juventus in 2017, are examples of the magnificence of his talent. His ability to shine in the big moments has made him the top scorer in the history of the Champions League, and he is, without doubt, the undisputed king of the competition.

Logically, Cristiano Ronaldo tops this list of Real Madrid’s greatest ever Champions League performers. The author of dazzling performances in decisive moments, Cr7 symbolises Madrid’s excellence in the competition. After the Lusitanian, Alfredo Di Stéfano comes in second place in this ranking. The Argentine legend was the architect of Real Madrid’s glorious Champions League debut. Between 1956 and 1960, the club won five consecutive titles thanks to his genius. His brace in the 1956 final against Reims laid the foundations for Madrid’s supremacy in Europe. Di Stéfano, nicknamed ‘La Saeta Rubia’ (the blonde arrow), was the epitome of tactical intelligence and creative genius. Without him, Real Madrid might never have dominated Europe so early on.

Zidane’s golden generation: Three consecutive league titles

Over the decades, Real Madrid have continued to produce champions. Sergio Ramos, the team’s captain at the time, was the man of the great finals, his goal in 2014 against Atlético Madrid giving the club its long-awaited 10th title. Ramos, with his charisma and presence on the pitch, was one of the pillars of Real Madrid’s success in 2014, 2016 and 2017. The legendary Spanish defender is third on Real Madrid’s list of the 20 greatest Champions League players of all time.
But before the golden generation, Raúl González embodied consistency and leadership. With three titles to his name (1998, 2000, 2002), he guided the club to victory with impressive consistency.

This emblematic Madrid striker is fourth. Then, in the 2010s, Real Madrid reached an unprecedented peak thanks to a golden generation led by Zinedine Zidane. The French coach brought out the best in players like Karim Benzema, Luka Modric, Gareth Bale, Casemiro, Toni Kroos and Marcelo, to string together three consecutive Champions Leagues from 2016 to 2018, a feat few teams can claim.

After the departures of Ronaldo, Bale, Macelo and other stars, Karim Benzema took over the leadership and played a central role. The Frenchman was the architect of Madrid’s attack during the 2021-2022 campaign, where he scored 15 goals, including a historic hat-trick against Chelsea. They all feature in the top 20 of Real Madrid’s all-time greatest Champions League players.

Vinicius Jr and Courtois, the new superstars who are breaking new ground in the Champions League

At just 24 years of age, Vinícius Jr is already included in this prestigious ranking. In 10th place, the Auriverde striker has made a name for himself with his ability to shine at major tournaments. The scorer of the winning goal in the final against Liverpool in 2022, he repeated the feat in 2024, scoring again in the final to give Real Madrid a 15th title. His statistics are impressive: in 59 Champions League matches, he has scored 24 goals and provided 19 assists. With two Champions League titles to his name, Vinícius is already a pillar of the Madrid attack.

Ranked eighth in the list of Real Madrid’s greatest ever Champions League players, Thibaut Courtois has been universally praised for his outstanding performances. In the 2022 final against Liverpool, he made a record nine saves. Since his arrival, he is the goalkeeper with the most saves in the Champions League. This is proof of the key role he has played in Real Madrid’s recent successes.

As the legends of the 2010s give way to a new generation, Real Madrid can count on players like Vinícius Jr, Thibaut Courtois and now Kylian Mbappé to maintain their hegemony in Europe. With other young talents such as Jude Bellingham, Arda Guler, Brahim Diaz, Rodrygo, Endrick and Eduardo Camavinga, the Madrid club seems well equipped to write glorious new pages.