The Blancos have had some wonderful players since the European Cup was revamped in 1992 but who makes our all-star selection?

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Keylor Navas arrived without much fanfare from Levante but delivered high above expectations, so is well worth inclusion as our reserve goalkeeper. Michel Salgado, meanwhile, spent the best part of a decade as Madrid’s right-back and has plenty of trophies to show for it.

Central defender Raphael Varane has been Sergio Ramos’s partner during Madrid’s rich era of European success and by the time his career at the Santiago Bernabeu is over, he may well end up in this side.

Marcelo may have made the team ahead of his predecessor but Roberto Carlos paved the way, not just for his Brazil compatriot but also for the modern-day attacking full-back.

Two of the smoothest midfielders in football history come next, in Fernando Redondo and Xabi Alonso, and you could count the number of times they misused the ball between them on one hand.

And, finally, Ronaldo, would make any team, real or imaginary, at his peak but those selected in his stead did more for Madrid over the years than the legendary Brazilian, who was hindered by fitness injuries in the twilight of his Bernabeu career.

AdvertisementGetty2FW: Cristiano Ronaldo

Real Madrid fans will insist that Cristiano Ronaldo is the best to have played the game and even if you don’t agree, you can see their point.

The Portuguese smashed umpteen records during his eight-year stay at the Santiago Bernabeu and helped the Blancos win four Champions Leagues, including three in a row. 

He also claimed four Ballons d'Or in the era of Lionel Messi and left Madrid as the club's all-time leading scorer, with a ridiculous 450 goals in just 438 games.

Getty3FW: Karim Benzema

Karim Benzema is the fifth-highest goalscorer of all time in the Champions League – a fact that seems to have gone unnoticed by many football fans.

Of course, that's probably because the Frenchman, for years, worked tirelessly to provide for Cristiano Ronaldo, before flourishing as Madrid’s main striker following the Portuguese forward's departure for Juventus in 2018.

Jose Mourinho once moaned that he wanted at hunting dog at Madrid and was instead stuck with a cat but, as AS pointed out last year, Benzema has since become Madrid's lion.

Getty Images4FW: Raul

Raul's Atletico Madrid origins were long forgotten by the time he left the Santiago Bernabeu, having scored 323 goals in 740 games for Real.

A legendary striker, he made his first-team debut at just 17 years of age and went on to win 16 trophies with the club. Raul lifted the Champions League three times and netted in two finals.

Franz Beckenbauer once said, "Raul is Real Madrid’s essence." Who are we to disagree?