'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
One of the biggest clubs in world football, Real Madrid have been graced by some of the biggest names in the game.
Los Blancos have had an incredible assortment of world-class strikers play for them, and their performances have been crucial to Real Madrid's success over the years.
Five greatest strikers in Real Madrid's history
In this list, Cristiano Ronaldo has not been considered. That is because even though he is Real Madrid's all-time top goalscorer and one of the greatest players to have played the game, Ronaldo was not an out-and-out striker and often played on the wings during his time at the club.
Trending
So, without further ado, let's have a look at the five greatest strikers in Real Madrid's illustrious history.
#5 Ronaldo Nazario
Ronaldo 'O Fenomeno' Nazario arguably defined the way a modern striker needs to play the game.
A highly influential player, Ronaldo made his name with Eredivisie club PSV Eindhoven, which earned him a move to Barcelona. The Brazil international lasted only one season at the Blaugrana but managed to score 47 goals in all competitions before joining Inter Milan in 1997.
After five injury-riddled seasons at the Italian club, Real Madrid decided to pay £40.5 million to Inter to acquire the 2002 FIFA World Cup winner.
A prolific goalscorer with excellent dribbling and technical ability, Ronaldo made 177 appearances in all competitions for Real Madrid, scoring 104 goals. He won the La Liga once with Los Blancos and is regarded as one of the greatest players never to have won the Champions League.
Ronaldo won two Ballon d'Or awards during his career. He retired in 2011 after subsequent stints with AC Milan and Corinthians; Ronaldo is currently the president of La Liga side Real Valladolid.
#4 Karim Benzema
One of the greatest strikers of his generation, Karim Benzema has been an underrated player throughout his career.
Benzema is a complete striker, but the presence of Cristiano Ronaldo at Real Madrid saw the Frenchman operating in the shadows of the Portuguese legend. However, following Ronaldo's departure in 2018, Benzema has stepped up and led the line for Real Madrid with aplomb.
Benzema joined Real Madrid from Ligue 1 side Lyon in 2009 for a fee of £31.5 million. Since then, he has blossomed into a key player for Los Blancos, thanks to his goalscoring ability, creativity and passing prowess.
The 33-year old has made 554 appearances in all competitions for Real Madrid, scoring 277 goals. After the exit of Ronaldo, Karim Benzema has become the club's leading attacker. This season, the Frenchman has made 30 La Liga appearances, scoring 21 goals and providing eight assists.
Also Read: 5 best midfielders in the Premier League this season (2020-21)
#3 Raul
A product of the Real Madrid academy, Raul is a bonafide Los Blancos legend and one of the greatest Spanish players of all time.
The striker made his debut for Real Madrid in 1994 and immediately established himself as a key player in their attack. A creative forward with a prolific goalscoring record, Raul was a technically gifted player whose longevity at the highest level was well renowned.
The Spain international made 741 appearances in all competitions for Real Madrid, scoring 323 goals. He won six La Liga titles and three Champions League trophies with the club before leaving Real Madrid in 2010 to join Schalke.
After subsequent stints with Schalke, Al Sadd and New York Cosmos, the 43-year old retired in 2015. He is currently the manager of Real Madrid Castilla.
#2 Ferenc Puskas
One of the greatest players of all time, Ferenc Puskas spent his entire career representing two clubs.
The Hungarian striker spent much of his time in Hungary, playing for Budapest Honved, where his prolific goalscoring for club and country saw Real Madrid acquire him in 1958.
Puskas dazzled at Real Madrid, scoring goals consistently for Los Blancos in the biggest of competitions. He scored 156 goals in 180 games for Real Madrid and won four Pichichis (top scorer in a La Liga season). Puskas also played a key role in Real Madrid's European Cup success in the late 50s.
Ferenc Puskas retired in 1966 and embarked on a managerial career. Puskas managed the likes of Vancouver Royals, Alaves, Panathinaikos, Colo-Colo and AEK Athens. He also managed international teams - Saudi Arabia and Hungary.
#1 Alfredo Di Stefano
Ferenc Puskas' attacking partner, Alfredo Di Stefano was an equally prolific goalscorer and enjoyed legendary status at Real Madrid.
Di Stefano began his career with River Plate before making his name with Colombian club Millionarios. His exploits for the club saw Real Madrid sign him in 1953 in a controversial deal. Barcelona appeared to be the frontrunners for his signature before Los Blancos seemingly 'hijacked' the deal.
The striker proved to be a shrewd acquisition. Di Stefano made 396 appearances in all competitions for Real Madrid, scoring 308 goals. He won the Ballon d'Or award in 1957 and 1959.
Like Puskas, he played a key role in European Cup success for Real Madrid. In international football, Di Stefano represented Argentina, Colombia and later Spain.
The legendary forward retired in 1966 after a stint with Espanyol. He managed Valencia thrice, Real Madrid twice and Boca Juniors twice, apart from stints with Sporting CP, River Plate and Rayo Vallecano.
Also Read: 5 England players who could win the Ballon d'Or in the future.
