Tag: Real Madrid

The 15 Most Underrated Summer Transfers In European Football History
All-Time Lists

The 15 Most Underrated Summer Transfers In European Football History

Some transfers are celebrated before a ball is even kicked. Others fly under the radar — only to become vital pieces of silverware-winning squads, cult heroes, or defining figures of an era. In this article, we rank the 15 most underrated summer transfers in European football history, from free-agent coups to forgotten title-winners. These aren't the players with the most medals or the flashiest fees. They're the ones who quietly changed clubs — and never got the recognition they deserved. 15. Diego Godín → Atlético Madrid (2010, €8m from Villarreal) Position: Centre-back Achievements: La Liga title (2014), 2x UCL finalist, 389 appearances Why underrated: Godín was crucial to Simeone’s Atleti revolution, forming one of the most feared back lines in Europe. ...
The 10 Greatest Real Madrid Teams Of All Time, Ranked
All-Time Lists

The 10 Greatest Real Madrid Teams Of All Time, Ranked

Few football clubs boast a legacy as rich and storied as Real Madrid. From their pioneering days in the 1950s to their recent dominance under Zinedine Zidane, the club has delivered some of the most unforgettable seasons in football history. This article ranks the 10 greatest single seasons in Real Madrid’s history, blending historical significance, trophy success, and fan sentiment. Whether it’s the birth of a dynasty, a historic double, or a legendary comeback, these teams have defined what it means to be “Los Blancos.” Ranking a top 10 of any club's history is difficult, but since Real Madrid have been dominating European football for the last 70 years - literally winning the first five European Cups in history - it's even more difficult to set an order when there have been so many g...
Ranking the 10 best penalty takers in world football in 2025
Rankings

Ranking the 10 best penalty takers in world football in 2025

Who are the best penalty kick takers in world football right now in 2025? 10.  Ante Budimir, Osasuna Ante Budimir probably isn't going to win the Pichichi trophy over Big Two LaLiga superstars Robert Lewandowski and Kylian Mbappe, but the fact that a striker from Osasuna is in the conversation is a huge feat, reminiscent of that one time Dani Guiza won the Pichichi more than a decade ago. A standout of LaLiga for years, dating back to his days at Mallorca, Budimir has morphed into one of the best pure finishers in world football and that deadly accuracy extends to the penalty spot where he has converted all seven of his attempts in the current league campaign. 9. Kylian Mbappe, Real Madrid Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappe has come a long way since his high-profile miss against Yann So...
Ranking the 10 best LaLiga goalkeepers right now in 2025
Rankings

Ranking the 10 best LaLiga goalkeepers right now in 2025

I don't think a lot of fans - including some pretty hardcore ones - understand just how brilliant LaLiga's goalkeepers have been over the past several years. And I'm not just talking about the divine trinity of Thibaut Courtois, Jan Oblak, and Marc Andre-ter Stegen at the "Big Three" either, because, let's face it, Oblak and MATS had a couple of rough seasons in between some monster ones. No, even when you look at the other goalkeepers they've fielded like Juan Musso, Wojciech Szczesny, and Andriy Lunin, all those guys would be top five-goalkeepers in many other top European leagues. But beyond the Big Three is where you really get to see talent. Remember Edgar Badia and Jeremias Ledesma? How about Alex Remiro at Real Sociedad? He's been on highlight reels in LaLiga for years. Now...
Liverpool pushing to sign underrated LB ahead of Real Madrid
Analysis

Liverpool pushing to sign underrated LB ahead of Real Madrid

Liverpool are 'strongly interested' in signing Benfica left-back Álvaro Carreras, according to a report from O Jogo. The Reds haven't made that many signings in recent months, but it feels like a move for Carreras could change that as they are pushing to sign him, especially after his performance in Benfica's stunning (and satisfying) 4-0 win over Atletico Madrid in early October. Carreras was one of their best players, and it has left an impression on many top clubs across Europe. The report says that Real Madrid, Barcelona and Manchester United are also among those interested in signing the highly-rated full-back who has taken Portuguese football by storm in the last couple of months - playing the most outfield minutes out of everyone in the current Benfica squad - and it seems lik...
5 bold predictions for Kylian Mbappé in his first Real Madrid season
Analysis

5 bold predictions for Kylian Mbappé in his first Real Madrid season

Real Madrid have begun the 2024-25 season on a positive note. Even though the performances during the first two months of the season have been a mixed bag, with a feeling that this team is yet to unlock its full potential, the results have been there. 10 games, seven wins, three draws, and no defeats. Add to that the UEFA Super Cup trophy to kick off the season, and the arrival of Kylian Mbappé to an already very strong outfit. Things don't look as bleak as they have been made to be. Speaking of Mbappé, the general consensus among the Madridistas and the media has been that the Frenchman is still finding his feet within Carlo Ancelotti's system. Ancelotti fired Real Madrid to the double last season, employing a 4-4-2 tactical scheme with Vini Jr. and Rodrygo as the strikers and Ju...
The 3 best Real Sociedad players who could get into the 2024/25 Real Madrid squad
Analysis

The 3 best Real Sociedad players who could get into the 2024/25 Real Madrid squad

After a statement-making 2-0 victory over Real Betis prior to the September international "break", Real Madrid will face another top side in LaLiga next weekend, Real Sociedad. La Real have begun the season with just one win in four games, ranking 12th in the league with four points. However, Real Sociedad are traditionally a tough opponent for Real Madrid and Champions League contenders. Plus, they will be at home this Saturday night. Real Sociedad have a number of great players in their starting lineup, but the benchmark for any player is being good enough to make the Real Madrid squad, as they are the clear defending champions of Spanish football. There may only be one player on Real Sociedad who has a legitimate chance of actually starting games for Real Madrid - even then tha...
An early look at the 10 best candidates to win the 2025 Ballon d’Or
Analysis

An early look at the 10 best candidates to win the 2025 Ballon d’Or

I always find it funny how the Ballon d'Or narrative changes over the course of a year - or season, now that the timeframe of the award has changed. Like, when the 2023/24 season first started, all anyone could do was praise Jude Bellingham for taking LaLiga by storm, putting Real Madrid back on top, and scoring bangers in El Clasico to help affirm Real's return to dominance. The guy was leading the league in goals as a midfielder, and while his performances did decline a bit in the second half of the season, we are talking about a decline from being by far the best player in Europe to "just" being great. And it's not like Bellingham was bad at the Euros either. England almost won it, and he was literally the best player in the Final which England came agonizingly close to winning...
Real Madrid’s Best XI Since 2000
Analysis

Real Madrid’s Best XI Since 2000

Real Madrid, regarded as the most successful football club in history, has had the privilege of seeing numerous legendary players wear its iconic white kit. Over the past two decades, the club has enjoyed a golden era, winning multiple La Liga and UEFA Champions League titles. With so many great players contributing to the club's success, it leads to an interesting question: Who are the best eleven players to have represented Real Madrid since the 2000/2001 season? Goalkeeper: Thibaut Courtois If no one has ever dared to say it, then I'll be the first to do so: Thibaut Courtois is not only better but he's also surpassed Iker Casillas as Real Madrid’s greatest-ever keeper. Along with being a more complete keeper than Casillas (excelling in aerial play, ball distribution, and reflexes),...
The uniquely elite career of Pepe, a Real Madrid and Porto icon
Analysis

The uniquely elite career of Pepe, a Real Madrid and Porto icon

Football fans had already bid farewell to two of the best midfielders of the 2010s and early 2020s, Thiago Alcantara and Toni Kroos, as the former Bayern Munich and LaLiga icons decided to retire. Thiago's exit came after injuries robbed him of a true farewell in the Premier League with Liverpool, where he showed flashes of the player who so expertly guided Die Roten to the 2019/20 treble. Meanwhile, Kroos left world football on top, having shined as Germany's best player at Euro 2024 after conquering LaLiga and the Champions League one last time for Real Madrid as a six-time career UCL champion between the Royal Whites of Spain and the Reds of Germany. Now, world football will say goodbye to a legend on equal footing of Thiago and Kroos, with a pedigree of longevity that will ena...