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#3 Luka Modric (since August 27, 2012)
Eyebrows were raised when Real Madrid signed a short, docile-looking central midfielder from English side Tottenham Hotspur in 2012-13. After his struggles with the first team in the initial weeks, he was quickly dubbed one of the worst transfers of the season. He went trophyless in his debut season but has done more than enough in the seasons to come.
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Luka Modric, who turns 36 next month, has been one of the best midfielders in the world over the last decade, and deservedly won the Ballon d’Or following his exploits in the 2018 FIFA World Cup. The player has embarked upon his tenth season at Real Madrid and somehow looks sharper than ever.
Modric, who registered an assist in the opening game of the 2021-22 La Liga campaign, has featured in 392 games for the club, pitching in with 28 goals and 62 masterful assists.
#2 Karim Benzema (since July 9, 2009)
Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema has been nothing short of a revelation during his spell with the capital club. Signed from Lyon in 2009, Benzema looked at home while playing second fiddle to Cristiano Ronaldo. Now that the Portuguese is gone, Benzema has emerged as the club’s star man — Real Madrid’s undisputed talisman.
Benzema is one of the very few strikers who can play in a number 10 role, as a winger and as an out-and-out striker. He can strike the ball with unmatched finesse, control the ball better than some of the best in the business, and can set up his team-mates without breaking a sweat.
The Frenchman, who captained Real Madrid’s first La Liga game of the current season, has played over 550 games for Los Blancos, scoring 286 goals and providing 140 assists.
#1 Marcelo (since January 1, 2007)
Real Madrid — the most successful club in Europe — has been blessed with some exceptional talents over the years. Very few have managed to be as influential as the crazy-haired Brazilian: Marcelo.
Marcelo, who is the club's current captain, was signed from Fluminense in 2007, primarily to sub in for Roberto Carlos. Being able to learn the ropes from his idol was incentive enough for the young Brazilian, meaning he did not take time to sign the contract.
He put his head down, adjusted his style of play as well as he could have and started creating a legacy of his own. So far, the Brazilian has won five La Liga titles, two Copa del Reys trophies and four UEFA Champions Leagues — creating a repertoire very few can match.
Marcelo has featured in over 500 games for Los Blancos, pitching in with 28 goals and a whopping 101 assists. The left-back may have lost his pace and stamina due to the laws of time. However, he still has a venomous left foot capable of putting many attackers to shame.
