Real Madrid are possibly the most successful team ever. They have a record 11 European Cups, a record 32 La Liga titles and 19 Copa del Reys.
They have had some of the most successful players of all time, with them currently having the Ballon d'Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo within their ranks. Some of the players they have had include David Beckham, Ronaldo, Zinedine Zidane and Iker Casillas.
With the amount of talent and the amount of success Madrid have had, they have been involved in some of the greatest matches in history.
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Here are five times when they have proved they are the greatest team in the world.
#1 Barcelona 0-2 Real Madrid, 2002 Champions League semi-final
In 2002, Madrid and Barcelona met in the semi-final of the Champions League to practically determine who would go on to win the tournament with both the Spanish giants likely to topple whoever they would face in the final.
Against the run of play, a perfectly weighted Raul pass through the Barca defence found Zidane who finished off with a delightful chip midway through the second half.
This win was so impressive due to the fact that it was almost 19 years since they had last been victorious at the Nou Camp. Furthermore, they had soaked up all the pressure and withstood many dangerous attacks from a very good Barcelona side.
With their goal, Madrid became better and looked dangerous on the counter-attack. They then made their chances on the break count as McManaman made it 2-0 in stoppage time.
Real Madrid then went on to win the European Cup for the 9th time, against Bayer Leverkusen, with this win against Barcelona being extremely crucial, proving they were not only the greatest in Spain, but in the world.
#2 Real Madrid 4-1 Atletico Madrid (aet), 2004 Champions League final
Facing Madrid rivals Atletico in the Champions League final meant so much was at stake, with both pride and La Decima, their tenth European Cup, being on the line.
Real Madrid gave absolutely everything but could not break down the Atletico side and Simeone’s men took the lead through Diego Godin in the 37th minute. Bale, Ronaldo and Benzema had opportunities but the Atletico defence remained resilient. That was until a fantastic header from Sergio Ramos gave them 30 more minutes and possibly penalties to win their 10th European Cup.
Madrid then made their dominance in extra time count, a wonderful run by Di Maria ended with his shot being saved, only for Bale to head in the rebound. Additionally, a low Marcelo strike inside the box and a Ronaldo penalty capped off a perfect victory for the Galacticos in Lisbon.
This sealed their 10th European Cup and an emphatic victory over rivals Atletico proving their status as the greatest in the world.
#3 Juventus 0-1 Real Madrid, 1998 Champions League final
In 1998, Madrid faced a talent filled Juventus side who were in extremely good form heading into the final. With 4-1 wins over their opponents in both the quarter and semi-finals, they were going to be a very tough opponent for Real in the 1998 final.
Juventus’ side included Alessandro Del Piero, Zinedine Zidane, Edgar Davids and Filippo Inzaghi. Real Madrid had a great team of their own, but this was always going to be an incredibly hard game for them.
The game was extremely tight with both sides having their opportunities, but Madrid would make their chance count. Predrag Mijitovic was the man who took the chance in the 66th minute. When a deflected effort fell to him, he rounded the goalkeeper and tapped it in, breaking the deadlock.
Madrid were able to hold on and clinch the Champions League trophy with the Galacticos coming out on top in a very tight affair.
#4 Real Madrid 5-0 Barcelona, 1995 La Liga
In 1995, a Barcelona side managed by Cruyff who had won the European Cup just three years before, were taken aback by Madrid as the Los Blancos took apart a strong Barcelona defence and put five goals past them.
Within 39 minutes, a hat-trick from Ivan Zamorano meant Madrid had a 3-0 lead at half-time, as well as a man advantage due to Hristo Stoichkov being sent off in the 44th minute.
The Madrid side did not end their onslaught as two quick-fire goals in the 68th and 70th minute from Luis Enrique and Jose Amavisca left Barcelona and Cruyff devastated.
With the El Clasico being so important and involving two of the greatest sides in Europe, winning so emphatically is always considered hugely impressive. It was especially impressive in this scenario with Barca being managed by Cruyff and three of the goals being scored when it was 11v11.
This victory proved Madrid’s status as the greatest in the world as they were unable to show their quality in the Champions League that year.
#5 Real Madrid 3-0 Valencia, 2000 Champions League final
Winning their eighth European Cup and manager Vincent Del Bosque’s first trophy, Madrid comfortably took apart Valencia in the 2000 Champions League final.
Overcoming reigning champions Manchester United in the quarter-final and then Bayern Munich in the semi-final was already a commendable achievement.
To win the trophy, they faced Valencia who had finished two places above them in third in the La Liga just four days before the final. In addition to this, they had also defeated both their quarter and semi-final opponents 5-3 on aggregate, proving they were prolific in front of goal.
However, Madrid kept a clean sheet in the final, which was only their third of the tournament, with the other two coming against minnows Molde and Olympiakos.
A header from Fernando Morientes gave Madrid the lead and a terrific volley from Englishman Steve McManaman gave them a two-goal cushion. Finally, to seal the trophy, Raul rounded the keeper after a counter-attack from a corner and made it 3-0.
This was a perfect display from the Spanish giants as they once again proved they were the best team in the world.
