Since 1993,Real Madrid have won 10 La Liga titles alongside eight Champions League trophies, cementing their status as one of the leading clubs in the game.

Every great team needs great leaders and Real Madrid have been blessed in this regard as some of the leading players of their generation have worn the armband for Spain's most successful club.

Karim Benzema, who is the front-runner for the 2022 Ballon d'Or after his goalscoring exploits last season, is the latest legend to be appointed as Madrid captain – but how have his six immediate predecessors fared?

We've ranked every Madrid club captain since 1993 from worst to best.

6. Marcelo

Marcelo had been at Madrid for 14 seasons before being appointed the club's first non-Spanish captain in 2021.

And, while the Brazil international left the club after a single season of armband-wearing, he still guided the team to a La Liga and Champions League double in 2021-22.

While Marca claimed that Marcelo was Madrid's 'fifth-choice left-back', his experience was still crucial to the club's achievements last year.

5. Iker Casillas

After the departure of the two captains Raul and Guti in 2010, Casillas was their natural successor; the goalkeeper had just won the World Cup with Spain and was regarded as one of the best players around.

And Casillas did lead Madrid to La Decima in 2014, ending a club obsession for their 10th European crown that lasted over a decade.

But Saint Iker was on the decline during his five-year spell as club captain. While many sympathised when Jose Mourinho marginalised him in favour of Diego Lopez, Ancelotti only used him in the cup competitions too.

Casillas left for Porto in 2015 but he remains one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time.

4. Fernando Hierro

Hierro, when he wasn't acting as Yogi Bear's body double, was an excellent defender with the happy habit of scoring goals on a regular basis.

Seasoned Premier League viewers may remember him best for his spell with Sam Allardyce's Bolton but Hierro spent 14 happy years at Madrid, winning La Liga five times alongside three European Cups.

While the centre-back only wore the Madrid armband for his final two seasons at the Bernabeu, he did guide his team to five major trophies including a victory over Bayer Leverkusen in the 2002 Champions League final.

His time at Madrid ended abruptly; Hierro locked horns with Florentino Perez on a number of occasions and the Madrid president let Hierro leave without a fight in the summer of 2003.

A club legend, we were surprised to learn Hierro wasn't club captain for longer.

3. Raul

Often regarded as one of the best Spanish footballers of all time, it's hard to imagine a more quintessential Blanco than Raul.

With 741 appearances and 325 goals, the striker is easily one of the greatest ever to wear the Madrid shirt and served as captain for seven seasons between 2003 and 2010.

While his captaincy coincided with Madrid's European drought, Sir Alex Ferguson's favourite footballer still led his side to two league titles and two Spanish Super Cups.

"Raul is synonymous with Madrid: the face of the club for the last 25 years," Jorge Valdano once said.

"If you wrote a list of Raul's qualities, it would be a list of the values of Real Madrid. He is the Di Stefano of our time. Quantity above quality, absolute commitment and endeavour above all else.

"Utter professionalism. Every. Single. Day. Of. His. Life."

Pretty good captain material then.

2. Sergio Ramos

Ramos personified modern-day Real Madrid; ruthless, cunning, brilliant and successful.

Three consecutive Champions League trophies, an unprecedented achievement in the modern game, is enough to lift the Andalucian into the pantheon of great captains.

1. Manuel Sanchis

Younger readers may not recognise the name but Sanchis is widely considered to be the most successful captain in the history of Real Madrid.

Part of the famous 'Quinta del Buitre' core of homegrown talent, Sanchis was an accomplished defender and inspirational leader that spent his entire career at the Bernabeu.

Sanchis wore the armband between 1993 and 2001, coinciding with Madrid's rebirth as a modern-day juggernaut. The defender led his team to a whopping 19 titles under his captaincy (two UEFA Champions League titles, an Intercontinental Cup, five La Liga titles, two Spanish Cups, five Spanish Super Cups, and a UEFA Super Cup).

He retired in 2001 at the age of 36, his final act as captain being to lift his La Liga trophy. It was hard to conceive of a more fitting ending for a true Madrid hero.

Real Madrid is set to host Real Sociedad in the second leg of the Copa del Rey 2024-25 semifinal. Both sides have produced some low-scoring matches, looking at the last few matches.

Carlo Ancelotti's managed side came out on top in the first leg after Los Blancos' rising star Endrick scored the contest's only goal to make it 1-0 in favour of them, as the second is not going to be an easy fixture for both sides.

🎯 The challenge.
#CopaDelRey pic.twitter.com/8WazPnmc0O

— Real Sociedad 🇺🇸 🇬🇧 (@RealSociedadEN) March 30, 2025

Read the full match preview, head-to-head stats, predicted lineup and fantasy XI prediction of the Real Madrid vs Real Sociedad match in the Copa del Rey semifinal leg 2 at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid, Spain.

Team News

Real Madrid

Real Madrid will be at their home for the second leg. This will be a big add-on for them. They are coming in after securing a close win and an important three points over Leganes on Saturday in their last Laliga fixture. Los Blancos are currently in top form, but this fixture will not be an easy one for them, they are currently in a one-goal lead. 

Real Sociedad

On the other hand, Real Sociedad will be under pressure as they have been already knocked out of the UEFA Europa League, and they are left with only one chance to get close to a title for this season. Real Madrid at home will not be an easy task for Real Sociedad. Sociedad will have to give their everything to take down Los Blancos.

Kickoff

Match: Real Madrid vs Real Sociedad

Venue: Santiago Bernabeu Stadium

Date: Wednesday, April 2

Kick-off time: 1:30 am IST

Location: Madrid, Spain

Head-to-Head Stats:

Total Matches: 31

Real Madrid won: 22

Real Sociedad won: 5

Draw: 4

Recent Form

Real Madrid

• Real Madrid 3-2 Leganes (Laliga, Home)
• Villarreal 1-2 Real Madrid (Laliga, Away)
• Atletico Madrid 1(2)- (4)1 Real Madrid (UEFA Champions League round of 16, Away)
• Real Madrid 2-1 Rayo Vallecano (Laliga, Home)
• Real Madrid 2-1 Atletico Madrid (UEFA Champions League round of 16, Home)

Real Sociedad

• Real Sociedad 2-1 Real Valladolid (Laliga, Home) 
• Rayo Vallecano 2-2 Real Sociedad (Laliga, Away)
• Manchester United 4-1 Real Sociedad (UEFA Europa League, Away, Second leg)
• Real Sociedad 0-1 Sevilla (Laliga, Home)
• Real Sociedad 1-1 Manchester United (UEFA Europa League, Home, First leg)

Injury Updates

Real Madrid

Dani Carvajal, Thibaut Courtois, Eder Militao, Ferland Mendy, and Dani Ceballos are injured and will be out of action for Los Blancos

Real Sociedad

Jon Pacheco, Nayef Aguerd, Sheraldo Becker, Brais Mendez, and Arsan Zakharyan are injured and will be out of action for Real Sociedad.

Predicted Lineup

Real Madrid

Andrey Lunin (GK), Fede Valverde, Raul Asencio, Antonio Rudiger, Fran Garcia, Luka Modric, Aurelien Tcohuameni, Rodrygo, Endrick, Arda Guler, Jude Bellingham.

Real Sociedad

Alejandro Remiro (GK), Igor Zubeldia, Aihen Munoz, Alvaro Odriozola, Nayef Aguerd, Martin Zubimendi, Takefusa Kubo, Jon Ander Olasagasti, Luka Sucic, Sheraldo Becker, Mikel Oyarzabal.

Fantasy XI

Alejandro Remiro, Fede Valverde, Raul Asencio, Antonio Rudiger, Nayef Aguerd, Luka Modric, Takefusa Kubo, Aurelien Tcohuameni, Mikel Oyarzabal, Rodrygo, Endrick.

Broadcasting Details

India: Fancode

UK: TNT Sports

Spain: RTVE Play App

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If Carlo Ancelotti decides to accept the Brazilian position, Real Madrid will be working on hiring Jurgen Klopp, who might make a spectacular comeback to management. Among Jurgen Klopp's greatest achievements was leading Liverpool to the Premier League and a UEFA Champions League title. He stepped down as manager after the 2023-24 season. He also led Borussia Dortmund to two Bundesliga titles. 

Read Also: Brazil wants to sign current Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti after recent humiliation against Argentina.

Jurgen Klopp is currently working as a leader of global soccer for the Red Bull group, Klopp stated that he would not manage another English club and might be he will not be interested with management forever. However, he could choose to coach a national team or take a job.

Either of those options might be presented soon to him. According to TRBFootball, Klopp is reportedly one of the options for Brazil's national team head coach after Dorival Junior's dismissal. However, Carlo Ancelotti is also Brazil's top pick, according to different reports, Brazil's national football management has even begun negotiations with him. 

🚨NEW: Real Madrid among three clubs eyeing Jurgen Klopp for a sensational return to management, @GraemeBailey. pic.twitter.com/e5moUf65EX

— LFC Transfer Room (@LFCTransferRoom) March 29, 2025

According to the reports, Klopp is one of the candidates Real Madrid is working on to replace their manager if Carlo Ancelotti departs. Los Blancos are looking for a manager who has worked with a mix of young players and superstars and the former Liverpool manager most definitely possesses that.

Read Also: Every Real Madrid's Players wages in 2025

As Real Madrid is one of the biggest clubs in the world, there would undoubtedly be some appeal if Klopp were to return to club management. Xabi Alonso, a former Real Madrid and Liverpool player is reportedly Los Blancos' preferred candidate.

 There is no assurance that he would accept the position at Real Madrid if it were offered, though, as he declined to leave his position at Bayer Leverkusen when the Liverpool position became available last year. That appears to be the case with Jurgen Klopp as well. But there is still a chance to connect with his former star Trent Alexander Arnold, who is rumored to be very close to joining Real Madrid.

Real Madrid's president, Florentino Perez, is known for his brilliant business strategy during the transfer windows. In recent years, Los Blancos have built one of the most impressive and young squads in football. Players like Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Junior, Kylian Mbappe, Thibaut Courtois, Fede Valverde, and Rodrygo are all playing for the team, there are not many sides in world football who can compete with them. 

As a result, Los Blancos have to pay for their talent and their wages are pretty handsome. Toni Kroos was the club's highest-paid player but decided to retire at the end of the 2023-24 season. After Kroos' retirement, the club brought in Kylian Mbappe from Paris Saint-Germain, as of now Mbappe is the most earning player for the Los Blancos. 

So, let's take a look at how much money all Real Madrid players are making in 2025, featuring Los Blancos' stars like Jude Bellingham, Kylian Mbappe, and Vinicius Junior and rising stars like Arda Guler, Endrick, and Raul Asencio.

Every Real Madrid's Players wages in 2025:

Goalkeepers:

In goal, it should come as a surprise to no one that Thibaut Courtois is comfortably the highest earner in Real Madrid. The Belgian international joined Real Madrid in 2018 from Chelsea and has been a number-one choice since then. However, his injuries were never any doubt about his spot in the starting lineup, and his weekly wage reflects that. Courtois is currently earning at Real Madrid €248,249 per week.

Andrey Lunin is another goalkeeper currently in the first squad and he is currently earning at Real Madrid €46,505 per week. He is the only backup of Thibaut Courtois, so, first-team opportunities are not something he is expected to be presented with too often, but he stepped up brilliantly during Courtois' injury last season.

Defenders:

In terms of the highest-paid defenders at Real Madrid, David Alaba is currently earning at Real Madrid €372,373/week more than any other defenders in the squad. David Alaba's teammates Antonio Rudiger and Eder Militao both are currently earning at Real Madrid €234,139 per week.

Similarly, Dani Carvajal and Ferland Mendy both are currently earning at Real Madrid €172,450/week. Lucas Vasquez is currently earning at Real Madrid €155,238/week. Fran Garcia, Jesus Vallejo, and Raul Asencio, these three defenders are currently earning at Real Madrid €86,225/week, €28,914/week, and €13,493/week each. 

And, as the current reports, Liverpool's Trent Alexander Arnold has agreed on a deal to join Real Madrid on a free transfer in the summer and will be taking home €240,000 per week and this will make him the second-highest earning defender for Los Blancos and also, he will become highest-paid right back in the football world. 

Midfielders:

Jude Bellingham has been playing like the best midfielder in the world since his Real Madrid transfer in 2023 and he is currently earning at Real Madrid like the midfielder too. Jude is making €344,735 per week. Federico Valverde is currently earning at Real Madrid €275,887 per week. Aurelien Tchouameni is making over €200,000 per week as he is currently earning at Real Madrid €206,874 per week. 

The last two midfielders in the squad are tied, with Dani Ceballos and Luka Modric both are currently earning at Real Madrid €172,450 per week. The Croatian has accomplished some legendary things for Real Madrid, including winning the Ballon d'Or in 2018. 

Forwards:

Kylian Mbappe is far and away the highest earner for Los Blancos. Kylian Mbappe is currently earning at Real Madrid over half and million euros every single week. Some way behind him in second place among the forwards is Vinicius Junior. The Brazilian is currently earning at Real Madrid under €350,000 per week. 

Vinicius' fellow Brazilian Rodrygo is currently earning €206,874 per week at Real Madrid. And the remaining forwards, Brahim Diaz, Arda Guler, and Endrick, this three-forwards are currently making at Real Madrid €120,649, €83,566, and €66,845 per week each.

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Laliga clubs regularly own some of the biggest names in the world of football. Many of their top stars have come from abroad, often moving from the Premier League to La Liga. However, some superstars were not so successful in Laliga after the transfers. 
Trent Alexander Arnold is more likely to be the next biggest football transfer from the Premier League to Laliga. 
Discover the 10 biggest football transfers from the Premier League to Laliga, featuring players like Eden Hazard, and Phillipe Coutinho and legends like Luis Suarez and Cristiano Ronaldo.

10 biggest football transfers from Premier League to La Liga:  

10. Conor Gallagher | Chelsea to Atletico Madrid | €35 million:

Conor Gallagher was one of the key players for Chelsea in his final season. He is a Chelsea academy player, despite being an academy graduate of Chelsea, the Blues sold him to the Laliga side Atletico Madrid for €35 million and became one of the players with the biggest football transfers from the Premier League to La Liga.

He has seemed a perfect fit for Diego Simeone’s managed side, though he has rotated with other midfielders. Gallagher scored an important Champions League goal against Real Madrid, during a round of 16 match in which Atletico was heartbreakingly beaten on penalties.

9. Ferran Torres | Manchester City to FC Barcelona | €46 million:

FC Barcelona paid €46 million to Ferran Torres from Manchester City in 2022. But he was never able to prove his worth in FC Barcelona, he was one of the failed yet one the biggest transfers from the Premier League to Laliga.

The winger had never scored more than 10 goals in a single campaign for the La Liga giants. Torres played 145 games at Barcelona and has started almost exactly half (73), which shows the coaches he has played under have been aware that he cannot impact games.

8. Raphinha | Leeds United to FC Barcelona | €50 million:

Raphinha was not a major signing for FC Barcelona, yet among the biggest football transfers from the Premier League to La Liga. In the first season, Raphinha scored 14 goals and contributed in 15 goals. However, in the 2024/25 season, Raphinha found his lost form under Hansi Flick as he scored 27 goals and delivered 20 assists. Now the Brazilian winger is one of the players who is getting Ballon d'Or shouts in 2025.

7. Diego Costa | Chelsea to Atletico Madrid | €57 million:

Costa played for Atletico Madrid on a few different occasions. He had already left once before coming back in 2010 by the time he moved to Chelsea in 2014, and four years later, he was back, with Atletico Madrid paying €57 million for him.

Diego Costa was one of the players also among the biggest football transfers from the Premier League to La Liga. In his final season before leaving for the Premier League, Costa scored 36 goals, and in three seasons at Stamford Bridge, he scored 59 goals and 21 assists. The Spanish forward 81 games in four seasons after his return but scored just 19 goals in that time.

6. Luis Suarez | Liverpool to FC Barcelona | €75 million:

Barcelona had seen enough from Suarez in just two and a half seasons at Liverpool to sign him for an initially reported fee of £75million. That he’d move onto bigger things was unsurprising after notching 31 goals and 13 assists in his final season in the Premier League.

Luis Suarez was one of the key players also among the biggest football transfers from the Premier League to La Liga. The Uruguayan forward scored 195 goals and assisted 113 in 283 games, in his second season at Barca, scoring a remarkable 40 La Liga goals, along with 18 assists. Across all competitions that season, Suarez scored 54 goals and assisted 24.

5. Julian Alvarez | Manchester City to Atletico Madrid | €80 million:

One of the most recent players to the biggest football transfers from the Premier League to La Liga, Julian Alvarez moved to Manchester City for Atletico Madrid in the summer transfer window of the 2024 season. He already has 23 goals and five assists this season, including eight direct goal contributions in the Champions League. So far, the move looks a positive one for Alvarez.

4. Cristiano Ronaldo | Manchester United to Real Madrid | €80 million:

Cristiano Ronaldo was undoubtedly the best move from the Premier League to La Liga in history. He broke new ground with a transfer worth approximately £80million from Manchester United. The previous world-record transfer was Zinedine Zidane to Real Madrid, which had stood for eight years.

Ronaldo was one of the most devastating forwards in the world for his entire spell at Real Madrid, scoring 450 goals and assisting 131 in 438 games. Ronaldo is the most successful and among the biggest football transfers from the Premier League to La Liga. He won the Ballon d’Or in 2013, 2014, 2016, and 2017 while he was a Real Madrid player.

3. Gareth Bale | Tottenham Hotspurs to Real Madrid | €85 million:

At the time of his transfer to Real Madrid for approximately £85million, Bale’s was a world-record move. Gareth Bale was among the biggest football transfers from the Premier League to La Liga.  

Bale would win five Champions Leagues with Real, as well as three La Liga titles, among many other honors. Throughout seven seasons, he scored 106 goals and assisted 67 times.

2. Eden Hazard | Chelsea to Real Madrid | €130 million:

Eden Hazard was one of the failed transfers yet and second-placed in the list of the biggest football transfers from the Premier League to La Liga. That he never played 20 La Liga games in a single season, showed how much Hazard struggled, and he retired at just 32 years of age, having played just 10 games in his final season. The Belgian failed to match that single-season total in 76 games across his entire Real Madrid career.

1. Phillipe Coutinho | Liverpool to FC Barcelona | €142 million:

The biggest football transfer from the Premier League to La Liga, Barcelona spent an astonishing £142million to sign the midfielder from Liverpool. At Liverpool, he had become an iconic figure, having a direct hand in 97 goals in 201 games.

 After 13 direct goal contributions in his first 18 La Liga games, Coutinho slowed with only seven contributions in the 32 games he played in the season. The Brazilian left for Aston Villa, after only 39 goal contributions in 106 games at Barcelona.

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The European Golden Shoe is one of the most prestigious individual awards in football, given annually to the leading goal scorer from the top European leagues. Over the past decade, some of football’s biggest superstars have dominated this recognition, showcasing their incredible talent and consistency in front of goal.

In this article from Sportz Point, discover the last 10 European Golden Shoe winners list, featuring stars like Erling Haaland, and Harry Kane, and legendary players like Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, and Luis Suarez.

Last 10 European Golden Shoe winners List:

Harry Kane | 2024-25 season | Bayern Munich:

Harry Kane is among the greatest strikers to crave his name in the European Golden Shoe winners list. Despite the Bayern forward's failure to win any silverware, he won one of the most prestigious individual awards the Golden Shoe, this award shows his goal-scoring prowess. The Englishmen won the award for scoring 36 goals in the 2024-25 season.

 Erling Haaland | 2022-23 | Manchester City:

Earling Haaland scored 36 goals in the Premier League 2022-23 season to win the prestigious individual award and cemented his name among the top players to win the European Golden Shoe winners list. In that season Earling Haaland and company won their maiden UEFA Champions League title and completed a treble for Manchester City under Pep Guardiola.

 Robert Lewandowski | 2021-22 and 2020-21 | Bayern Munich:

Robert Lewandowski won the Golden Shoe Award in the 2021-22 season, as he cemented his name as one of the two players to win the European Golden Shoe multiple times in the list. His goals were more than enough to declare him a Ballon d'Or winner, but he was overshadowed by Karim Benzema in that season. 

In the 2020-21 season, Robert Lewandowski won his first Golden Shoe Award. In that season Robert Lewandowski and his company won a treble for Bayern Munich under Julian Nagelsmann, but he failed to win the Ballon d'Or award as Lionel Messi won the Copa America.

Ciro Immobile | 2019-20 | Lazio:

Immobile scored 36 league goals for Lazio in 2019-20 to win the prestigious individual award and cemented his name among the top players to win the European Golden Shoe winners list. Despite scoring 36 league goals for Lazio but did not get the chance to claim a Ballon d’Or rank as the award was cancelled that year due to Covid.

Lionel Messi | 2018-19, 2017-18, and 2016-17 | FC Barcelona:

Lionel Messi and Robert Lewandowski are the only players to crave their names multiple times in the European Golden Shoe winners list. In the 2018-19 season, Messi became the last player to win the Golden Shoe and Ballon d'Or in one season. Messi was the only player, who was dragging Ernesto Valverde's managed Barcelona side to the treble and scored 36 goals.

In the 2017-18 season, Messi scored 34 league goals and won his second European Golden Shoe, despite delivering a stinker performance in the 2018 FIFA World Cup. In the 2016-17 season, Messi scored more goals than Cristiano Ronaldo, who won the Ballon d'Or that season, but Messi won the European Golden Shoe and became the first player to win the Golden Shoe thrice in the list.

Luis Suarez | 2015-16 | FC Barcelona:

Luis Suarez was a goalscoring machine in 2015-16, as he even managed to outgun the likes of Messi and Ronaldo. The Uruguayan scored 40 goals in La Liga alone, and he became the one and only player to win an individual award in Messi and Ronaldo's era. His goalscoring prowess is the reason, he is on the European Golden Shoe winners list. 

Cristiano Ronaldo | 2014-15 | Real Madrid:

Surprisingly, 2014-15 was the last time that Ronaldo ever won the European Golden Shoe. He enjoyed an excellent individual season, scoring 48 league goals for Real Madrid, but was ultimately overshadowed by Barcelona and Messi who won the treble that year. His excellent goal-scoring skills are the reason he is on the European Golden Shoe winners list. 

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