Ranking the 5 foreign players who deserved to retire at Real Madrid

#3 Hugo Sanchez

CONCACAF Gold Cup First Round: Hugo Sanchez

Hugo Sanchez was the forward for Real Madrid's famous 'Quinta del Buitre' squad. The team comprised Emilio Butragueno, Manuel Sanchis, Martin Vasquez, Michel and Miguel Pardeza. The Mexican helped Los Blancos win five consecutive league titles, a Copa Del Rey and a UEFA Cup during his tenure at the club.

Sanchez was a prolific goalscorer who won four consecutive Pichichi awards between 1985 and 1990. He helped Real Madrid dominate the Spanish top flight. The legendary forward scored 208 goals in 283 appearances for the Spanish giants, etching his name into the history books.

Sanchez also equalled Telmo Zarra’s record for most goals in a league campaign with 38 goals in the 1989-90 season. His transfer at the end of his spell to Mexico was hard to digest for the fans as he left an incredible mark at the club.

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#2 Cristiano Ronaldo

Real Madrid v Liverpool - UEFA Champions League Final

Cristiano Ronaldo is the greatest goalscorer in Real Madrid’s rich history. Averaged just over one goal per game, Ronaldo racked up 450 goals in 438 games for Los Blancos. He surpassed the likes of Alfredo Di Stefano, Ferenc Puskas and Raul.

Ronaldo's extraterrestrial statistics are a testament to his legacy at the Santiago Bernabeu. During his nine-year stint at the club, the Portuguese icon broke a plethora of records. He also guided Real Madrid to immense success on the European circuit.

With Ronaldo as their talisman, Real Madrid won four Champions League titles and two La Liga titles, among other notable accolades. The 36-year old's departure to Juventus in 2018 was a bitter pill to swallow. It was especially hard after he had just won three consecutive Champions League titles with the Spanish giants.

Ronaldo previously expressed his desire to retire at Real Madrid but a lucrative offer from Juventus sealed his departure.

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#1 Raymond Kopa

Raymond Kopa was the first ever Frenchman to win the Ballon d'Or in 1958. Image credits : Getty images

Raymond Kopa was one of the first superstars of Real Madrid. The French legend was an integral part of the Los Blancos team which went on to create history by winning five consecutive European Cups in 1950s.

During his three-season tenure at the club, Kopa won three European titles along with two Spanish Championships. The legendary forward was renowned for his dribbling and efficiency in the final third. He helped his teammates outscore opponents with effortless ease.

Kopa's exploits helped him win the coveted Ballon d'Or award in 1958. He also enjoyed several podium finishes in his esteemed career. His departure to his former club Reims signaled the end of life at Real Madrid.