Real Madrid Best Forward of All Time: Real Madrid has some amazing forwards over the years. In the list of the top 8, most are from the 1960s when Real Madrid was successful. A few players from the 2000s, known as the Galactic era, are also in the mix. Together, these players formed one of the best teams in the world.
Real Madrid is an old and respected club in Europe. Many football stars from different parts of the world have been proud to wear the famous white jersey of Real Madrid. They’ve played to defend the Real Madrid crest, which is a symbol of the club’s history and values.
Real Madrid Best Forward of All Time
Now, let’s take a look at the 8 best forwards Real Madrid has ever had.
8. Eden Hazard
- Date of Birth: 7 January 1991
- Height: 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
- Position(s): Winger, attacking midfielder
At the 8th spot on the list is Eden Hazard. Before joining Real Madrid, he had a successful career. He won the French championship and Coupe de France with OSC Lille in 2010/11. Moving to the Premier League with Chelsea in 2012, he scored over 100 goals in seven years and won the English title twice (2015, 2017), FA Cup (2018), and League Cup (2015).
Hazard also secured two Europa League titles (2013, and 2019) before joining Real Madrid in the 2019/20 season.
Making his debut for Belgium in November 2008, Hazard played in three World Cups. In 2018, he captained Belgium to a third-place finish, earning the Silver Ball as the second-best player of the tournament.
7. Gareth Bale
- Date of Birth: 16 July 1989
- Height: 6 ft 1 in (1.86 m)
- Position(s): Winger
At the 7th spot on the list is Gareth Bale. He’s a key player for the Welsh national team and holds the record for the most caps since the 2022 World Cup.
Bale has earned praise in Great Britain for his exceptional qualities, including speed, precise crosses, a strong left foot, and physical strength. He joined Real Madrid for a reported transfer fee of over 100 million euros, although initially stated as 91 million by Florentino Pérez.
Bale’s time with Real Madrid saw significant success, winning the Primera División three times and the Champions League five times.
6. Vinícius Júnior
- Date of Birth: 12 July 2000
- Height: 1.76 m (5 ft 9 in)
- Position(s): Winger
Ranked 6th Among the “Best Real Madrid Forward” is Vinícius Júnior. He officially joined Real Madrid in 2018. In his debut season, he made 18 appearances and scored two goals.
The 2019/20 season saw him contribute to Real Madrid’s Spanish championship. The following season, under Carlo Ancelotti, was his most successful, with 17 goals in 35 appearances.
Vinícius Júnior played a vital role in Real Madrid’s victories as Spanish champions and Champions League winners, scoring the decisive goal in the final against Liverpool FC.
5. Hugo Sánchez
- Date of Birth: 11 July 1958
- Height: 1.74 m (5 ft 9 in)
- Position(s): Forward
At the 5th position in the “Real Madrid Best Forward of All Time” list is Hugo Sánchez. Acquired from Atlético Madrid, Sanchez played a crucial role in La Quinta del Buitre alongside stars like Emilio Butragueno and Miguel Pardez.
With an impressive record of 208 goals in 283 appearances, the legendary Mexican quickly became a beloved figure among fans, thanks to his exceptional goal-scoring abilities.
4. Alfredo Di Stéfano
- Date of Birth: 4 July 1926
- Height: 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
- Position(s): Forward, attacking midfielder
At number 4th among the “Best Real Madrid Forward of All Time,” is Alfredo Di Stéfano. Initially destined for Barcelona, a dispute over his signing led to Real Madrid securing the legendary player. Despite the controversy, Di Stéfano became an absolute icon for Real Madrid.
He scored a remarkable 307 goals in 396 appearances, winning many trophies, including 8 La Liga titles and 5 consecutive European Cups. Di Stéfano is the only player to score in 5 Champions League finals, showcasing his incredible impact. Known for his explosive style, he was a constant threat to opponents and a strong leader on and off the field. Di Stéfano also won two Ballon d’Or during his career.
After retiring as a player, Di Stéfano ventured into coaching, although he didn’t achieve the same level of success off the field as he did on it.
3. Ferenc Puskás
- Date of Birth: 1 April 1927
- Height: 1.72 m (5 ft 8 in)
- Position(s): forward, attacking midfielder
Ranked 3rd among the “Best Real Madrid Forward” is Ferenc Puskás. Known for his thunderous left foot and impeccable positioning, Puskás is consider as one of the greatest finishers in football history.
The legendary Hungarian striker achieved the remarkable feat of being La Liga’s top scorer for four consecutive seasons.
Puskás showcased his phenomenal goal-scoring ability by netting an astounding 242 goals in 262 games during his time with Real Madrid. His prolific scoring record solidifies his place among the top goal-scorers in the history of the sport.
2. Raúl
- Date of Birth: 27 June 1977
- Height: 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
- Position(s): Forward
Taking the 2nd position is Raúl. Recognized as one of the greatest and most consistent strikers of his generation, Raúl was a prolific goal-scorer and highly creative striker.
Known for his quickness and accurate left foot, he could score both inside and outside the penalty area with powerful shots.
Raúl’s incredible longevity and loyalty to Los Blancos are evident in his impressive record. He remains the most capped player in Real Madrid’s history, having played 741 times for his boyhood club and scoring 343 goals. His contributions make him a true and faithful servant to the club.
1. Cristiano Ronaldo
- Date of Birth: 5 February 1985
- Height: 1.87 m (6 ft 2 in)
- Position(s): Forward
Cristiano Ronaldo claims the top spot as the undisputed number 1 on the “Real Madrid Best Forward of All Time” list. Widely regarded as Real Madrid’s biggest legend, Ronaldo’s career soared during his time with the club. While he had a sensational run at Manchester United, it was with Real Madrid that he ascended to become the world’s best player, sparking the iconic Messi vs. Ronaldo rivalry.
Ronaldo’s impact at Real Madrid was immense, with 451 goals, making him the club’s greatest striker. Winning every major competition with the white jersey, he showcased masterful finishing skills. His ambitious personality and unparalleled competitiveness propelled him to the pinnacle of the sport. Notably, Ronaldo played a pivotal role in Real Madrid’s three consecutive Champions League victories under Zinedine Zidane. He holds the record as the top forward in La Liga and was the first player to surpass 300 goals in the competition.
After leaving Real Madrid, Ronaldo briefly played for Juventus before returning to Manchester United. While his trophy hauls have seen a decline since leaving Real Madrid, his goal-scoring prowess and determination remain as strong as ever.
