Ranking Real Madrid's Top 5 Strikers of the Last 20 Years

The most idolised players at Real Madrid's Santiago Bernabeu stadium have always been the men who get the goals—the strikers.

Here is a ranked list of the top five frontmen from the last 20 years. From Cristiano Ronaldo to Raul Gonzalez Blanco, all the hotshots from those two glorious decades have been analysed.

There is no exact science to ordering these superstars—statistics can only explain so much in football. The factors considered are their number of goals, their goals-to-game ratio, the medals they won and, most importantly, a brief appraisal of each man to give some context to their ranking.

Hold tight for a whistle-stop look at some of the most lethal finishers ever to have played the beautiful game...

Notable Mentions

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Croatian legend Davor Suker

Picking only five strikers is a tough ask and means leaving out some superb goal-getters who deserve a notable mention. Below are the best five who didn't make the final cut:

Karim Benzema—Goals 122*, Games 253*, Ratio of a Goal every 2.07 Games*

Gonzalo Higuain—Goals 122, Games 264, Ratio of a Goal every 2.16 Games

Davor Suker—Goals 49, Games 106, Ratio of a Goal every 2.16 Games

Fernando Morientes —Goals 99, Games 261, Ratio of a Goal every 2.63 Games

Predrag Mijatovic—Goals 29, Games 90, Ratio of a Goal every 3.10 Games

Here are the top five...

*Statistics correct as of November 24, 2014

5. Ruud Van Nistelrooy

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Ruud Van Nistelrooy

Goals: 64

Games: 96

Goal Ratio: Every 1.50 games

Medals: La Liga x 2; Spanish Supercopa x 1

Van Nistelrooy may have played fewer games than men such as Higuain or Benzema, but his ratio of a goal every 1.5 games sees him clinch fifth place.

Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon, who purchased the striker from Manchester United, perfectly summed up Van Nistelrooy's ability, as quoted on the BBC Sport website: "We have a perfect striker who combines efficiency and power with great footballing technique."

The Dutchman topped La Liga's scoring list in the 2006-07 season. The club won the league in that year and the following one, with Van Nistelrooy the sharp point of the attacking spearhead.

One down, four to go...

4. Ivan Zamorano

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Ivan Zamorano had an assassin's calmness

Goals: 101

Games: 173

Goal Ratio: Every 1.71 games

Medals: La Liga x 1; Copa del Rey x 1; Spanish Supercopa x 1

The man christened Bam-Bam after the Flintstones character quickly became a fans' favourite in the Spanish capital. Zamorano was quick, sharp and possessed an assassin's calmness in front of goal.

For a man who stood at just under 6' tall, the Chilean's ability to perfectly time his leap meant he scored many headers against defenders who were both stronger and taller than him.

Zamorano's explosive finishing flourished alongside Michael Laudrup in the 1994-95 season when their performances saw Real capture La Liga title. Zamorano topped the competition's scoring charts with 27 goals.

Whilst Zamorano has a slightly poorer goals-to-games ratio than Van Nistelrooy, the fans' adoration for him in the time he spent at the club means he is rated just ahead of the Dutch striker.

Nothing wins the hearts of the supporters like slaying your bitter rivals. In 1995 Bam-Bam did just that, bagging a heroic hat-trick against perennial nemesis Barcelona.

Now to the top three...

3. Ronaldo

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Ronaldo celebrates with David Beckham

Goals: 104

Games: 177

Goal Ratio: Every 1.70 games

Medals: La Liga x 1; Spanish Supercopa x 1

The first Ronaldo to play for Los Blancos might have made his name with Barcelona, but he was greeted with adulation when he arrived in Madrid from Inter Milan. The portly Brazilian top scored in each of the four full seasons he spent at the Bernabeu.

His ox-like strength and rapid acceleration meant that, on his day, Ronaldo was unstoppable. His sharpness in front of goal was second to none.

Nicknamed The Phenomenon, his breathtaking hat-trick at Old Trafford in the Champions League was at a point where many had written his career off—it's hard to find a finer example of him or Real in such devastating form.

And then there were two...

2. Cristiano Ronaldo

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Ronaldo scores at a rate of over a goal per game

Goals: 277*

Games: 264*

Goal Ratio: Every 0.95 Games*

Medals: La Liga x 1; Copa del Rey x 2; Spanish Supercopa x 1; Champions League x 1

Cristiano Ronaldo is the only man in this list who does not technically play as a striker, instead floating in from a wide position to wreak havoc on opposition defences. The superstar's almost inconceivable goal ratio means that he cannot be excluded from a ranking such as this.

If Lionel Messi is arguably the third best player to have ever lived (behind Pele and Maradona), then it's no exaggeration to say that Cristiano is the fourth.

His ability to score consistently from every angle and distance, with both feet and head, is nothing short of a sensation. Whilst the first Ronaldo was good for Real, this Ronaldo has reached a new level altogether.

The man positively oozes goals.

It's hard to fault him, but Ronaldo's comments about wishing to return to the Premier League (as reported on the Sky Sports website) in the future will not have endeared him to the Real support. Some see the attacker's perceived arrogance as another negative attribute, but it is this determination that has propelled him to his current status.

The Portuguese star will also hope to add to the solitary La Liga title before he moves on.

Cristiano Ronaldo, Real Madrid legend? Yes. Numero uno in this list? Not quite...

*Statistics correct as of November 25, 2014

1. Raul

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Raul encapsulates the ethos of Los Blancos

Goals: 323

Games: 741

Goal Ratio: Every 2.29 Games

Medals: La Liga x 6; Spanish Supercopa x 4; Champions League x 3

In a team whose history contains so many true legends, Raul Gonzalez Blanco sits at the summit alongside the likes of Alfredo di Stefano and Zinedine Zidane.

A true son of Madrid, he made his debut as a potential-filled prodigy in 1994 at the age of 17. He was a mainstay of Los Merengues' front line for 16 years and remained a key figure through a period of amazing success for the club—as his medal haul demonstrates.

Raul's longevity and ability to remain at the club despite the quality of competition for his position speaks volumes. The left-footed Spaniard was a player who always stepped up when required.

Scoring big goals in big games (including scoring in two Champions League finals), the No. 7 put everything on the line for the good of the team.

Whilst Cristiano Ronaldo's goal stats are spectacular, Raul epitomises Real Madrid and is the true icon of the last two decades. Softly spoken, humble and loyal, Raul was a master of improvisation, especially with his chipped finishes as this Youtube compilation illustrates.

In 2000, German legend Franz Beckenbauer said of the Spaniard (h/t Wikiquote): "He is Real Madrid’s essence." This is a perfect description of the man.

Some readers may not agree with the ranking, so give your opinion to start the discussion.