Alfredo Di Stéfano

Alfredo Di Stéfano was the central figure in Real Madrid's five consecutive European Cups (1956–60) and won La Liga eight times. He scored 307 goals in 396 La Liga appearances for Madrid and was the first player to score in five consecutive European Cup Finals. He won the Ballon d'Or in 1957 and 1959. His role in building Real Madrid's global identity in the 1950s and 1960s is equivalent to Messi's role at Barcelona — without Di Stéfano, the modern concept of Madrid as the world's greatest club may never have developed.