Wow this is a hard one. I'm gonna break it down in era's to make it easier:
1950's: Francisco Gento, Di Stefando and Puskas.
1960's: Amancio
1970's: Juanito and Santillana
1980's: Butragueno and Vazquez
1990's: Redondo and Hierro
2000's: Raul, Morientes and Zidane
If I had to choose my favourite Real Madrid legend, he would come from this 'shortlist'. Everyone loves Di Stefano for what he has done, the best and most influencial player in this club's history and possibly the most complete player in the history of football. His passion and desire to win are legendary. Puskas was equally as good, although far from being as complete as Alfredo. He coulc not head the ball and couldn't hit a ball with his right foot. On top of this he was overweight and looked more like a pub footballer than a professional. But he was still magnificent, capable of conjuring up something out of nothing leaving his opponent in tears. From the two forwards I next go on to the left winger of the 1950's and 60's, none other than Franciso Gento Lopez. He is possibly my favourite Real Madrid player from this era, I do nt know why but I just love Gento with a passion. The most succesful player in the European Cup (six winners medals and 30 goals in 95 games) and one of the most succesful in La Liga (12 Ligas) and one of the fastest in the history of the game, he was one of the main, if not the main attacking catalysts for Madrid in the 1950's.
Gento's equivalent on the right wing was Amancio Amaro, the more skillful of the two, he played simply for fun, for the joy, not unlike Garrincha. He would regularly go out just to embarress his opponents, although not as fast as Gento he was just as good a dribbler of the ball. Goth Gento and Amancio played in the 'Ye - ye' side of the 60's and youthful Amancio along with the more experienced Gento were the two major protagonists of the side. Together they helped Madrid on it's way to it's sixth European Cup.
Next we have Juanito and Santillana, possibly the most passionate partnership in Madrid's history, two players who truly understood the spirit of Madridismo in all it's entierty. The first 'true' number 7 in Madrid's illustrious history, I remember Carlos once said 'Before Butragueño, before Raul, or any other seven.. there was Juanito'. Juanito and his partner in crime, Carlos Santillana were Madrid's first comeback kings, Juanito said once: 'Ninety minutes in the Bernabeu is a long time' and in those times it was, the Bernabeu was the most intimidating, nerve racking stadium in the world, partly in thanks to the passion shown by these two.
After the era of Santillana, Juanito, Del Bosque and Camacho we come to the world famous 'Quinta del Buitre', one of the most succesful teams Madrid has ever assembled. It boasted players such as Manolo Sanchís, Martín Vázquez, Míchel, Miguel Pardeza and of course the ever illustrious Emilio Butragueno. They were surronuded by other all tikme greats such as goal scorer exrtodinaire Hugo Sanchez. But it is Butragueno and Vazquez who really stand out for me. Vazquez was one of the greatest passers and most elegant players I have ever seen, had he been more athletic there is no doubt in my mind he would be remembered as a true great. Butragueno was similar in that he was also extraoqrinarily elegant and graceful, always about to do what you least expect, another one of Madrid's most famous comeback kings, he wolud often lead the Quinta in one of their famous comebacks at our beloved Bernabeu.
The 1990's started off particularly barren, the Quinta was losing much of it's power quickly and after winning 5 Ligas in a row, Barca and their 'dream team' won 4 consecutive Ligas under Johan Cruyff. That all changed with the inclusion of the one and only Fernando Redondo. Passionate, Professional and utterly magnificent, there may never be a Madridsta who has been, or will be loved as much as Fernando was. Acting as a defensive midfielder, he held the midfield togethe like I have seen no other man do, not only would he defend, he would attack imperviously, Real Madrid has a habit of producing/buying graceful and elegant players, and Fernando Redondo was another one of them, much like Zinedine Zidane who arrived only a year after Redondo's departure. He was called el príncipe (the prince) for a reason. If Redondo was the man mountain that held the midfield together, then Fernando Hierro was the rock at the back. Accompanied by fellow legend Manolo Sanchis, he played in a defence that was both solid at the back, and dangerous going forward. He accumalated well over 100 goals, many of which came from dead ball situations or from his great ability in the air. Along with Baresi and Maldini, Fernando Hierro was the greatest defender of his generation, just ahead of Sanchis. Another legendary player that deserves a mention Ivan 'Bam Bam' Zamorano, an incarnation of Hugo Sanchez, great though he was, he was never able to match the success of the great Mexcan.
The player that links the 1990's and 2000's has to be Raul Gonzalez. Deadly in the mid to late 90's and equally great in the early 2000's. Although his form has dropped considerably over the last few seasons, he will always be a Madrid legend in my eyes, his desire, his will to win and his love of the cluub are all factors that prehaps place him above any other Spaniard in the history of Real Madrid, and possibly even in the history of the Spanish National Team. He formed a deadly partnership with Fernando Morientes (too many damn Fernandos
) who is possibly possesor of the greatest heading ability in recent years. These two were nigh on unstoppable, together they formed a partnership that would strike fear into any defence in the world.
The last legendary player I shall discuss is one that sadly, shall soon be leaving us, his name is Zinedine Yazid Zidane: Zizou. Like Butragueno, Vazquez and Redondo he ooze graces, even his name has a certain elegace to it. He is the epitome of beautiful football, capable of practically anything, a true master of the football. His touch, his skill, his technique and his ability are all of the highest standard, the are not many players in the history of football who can boast that they have a first touch equal to or better than Zizou's. He is a true legend of the game, and one that shall live extremely long in the memory. His time at Madrid shall never be forgotten by the Madridstas, the highlight of his Madrid career possibly coming ih his first season, when he scored
that volley. It was a goal of giant proportions, not only was the goal one of the most beautiful scored, but the sheer importance of it will make sure that it will be remembered for years to come.
Lastly, I will address the current Madrid squad and the potential there. Madrid has just come off of three terrible seasons, not winning a trophy for three years may not be bad for some clubs, but this is the worst period Real Madrid has had to go through since the 1950's. However, even in the face of adversity there is hope. There is some hope that a legendary player will rise up and take to the challenge at hand. For me there three players that spring to mind. Iker Cassilas, in many eyes the best keeper in the world already. Sergio Ramos, already one of Europe's elite at the tender age of 19. And finally Robinho, the boy from Brasil who at times looks unstoppable. There are of course others who are massively talented, such as Castilla players, Jose Manuel Jurado and Roberto Soldado, but these three look most likely to lead the club into a new era of glory, for now that is. If we were to compare these players to some of the legends of Madrid, who would we compare them to? Well Casillas is easy, he is a goalkeeper so naturally we would compare him to the greatest keeper's to have played for Madrid, those being Paco Buyo and Zamora imo. Can he match these two? Maybe. Sergio Ramos reminds me of Jose Antonio Camacho, passionate, determined and completely respected. There are some who will say that he is more like Hierro and I can see this, but I think he more like Camacho. Can he match and exceed Camacho? IMO defiantely. I rate Camacho highly, one of the true greats, but Sergio is immensly talented and looks better every game he plays. Lastly there is Robishow. I can honestly think of no player in Madrid's history that he is similar to. There was of course Gento and Amancio, but these two were pure wingers, Robinho while playing out wide is more of a left attacking midfielder imo. Similar to Zidane, except he is weaker and faster. Who knows, maybe one day Robinho will match Zidane, and I hope he does, but what is most important is that he, along with Casillas, Ramos and the rest of the squad (these three in particular though, and maybe Jurado and Soldado) make their own name. What is most important is that in say 30 or 40 years, we can reminisce of the glory years of Madrid and rightfully call them legends of Real Madrid CF.
How's that for a one word post Carlos?.
Viva er Guasch!
, thank god he's not here anymore!!...I dont know why Carlos mentioned him...very surprising...haha intelligent posts from him...haaa 
