Real Madrid players past and present have dominated in a poll to see who is considered the greatest player to grace the Champions League.
The poll, conducted by Mastercard, asked football fans around Europe who they thought was the best player to feature in the competition since it took on its current guise in 1994. And unsurprisingly, it was Barcelona’s Leo Messi who topped the poll overall, taking 27% of the votes.
The next four players in the list all wore the famous white jersey during their playing careers. Real Madrid Castilla boss Zinedine ZIndane was second, gathering 12% of the votes. The Frenchman’s most famous contribution in the competition was the stunning volley he scored in the final in 2002 against Beyer Leverkusen to secure Real’s 9th main European title.
Current Los Blancos striker Cristiano Ronaldo was third in the list on 11%. The 30-year-old set a new competition record in the 2013-14 season when he netted 18 goals in a single campaign, including the fourth goal in last season’s final against Atletico de Madrid.
Former Real and Brazil striker Ronaldo polled 7% of the vote to secure fourth spot. The 38-year-old once scored a memorable hat trick against Manchester United at Old Trafford and left the field to a standing ovation. Ex-United and Real midfielder David Beckham was fifth with 4%.
