Real Madrid's most memorable cult heroes in the Champions League

In this article we focus on two of the biggest Champions League cult heroes across Real Madrid’s long and illustrious footballing history. Whether it be crucial goals or standout moments, we shine a spotlight on those players responsible for some of the biggest moments across Real Madrid's Champions League history.

Predrag Mijatović 

The player many say was responsible for beginning a new era of success for Real Madrid in Europe was Predrag Mijatović, making him a natural fit when it comes to most memorable cult heroes. Mijatović scored the winning goal in the 1997-98 Champions League final against Juventus.

This goal was notable for a number of reasons. Not only did it secure Real Madrid their seventh European Cup title and first under the Champions League moniker, but it also ended a 32-year-drought for Los Blancos. Since then, Real Madrid have gone on to win eight further Champions League trophies and counting, with many supporters crediting Mijatović for triggering that success.

Joselu

When you look at the sheer plethora of world class talent across the Real Madrid squad back in 2023-24, you wouldn't necessarily have former Stoke City, Newcastle and Alaves striker Joselu down as a cult hero. But his contribution in one of the biggest European games of that season instantly wrote him into the history books at the Santiago Bernabéu.

With Real Madrid behind by one goal on aggregate against German giants Bayern Munich in the Champions League second-leg encounter, Carlo Ancelotti brought on Joselu in a desperate attempt to turn things around. The big forward did just that, capitalising on a rare Manuel Neuer error to level the score before popping up to nod home the winning goal as the clock ticked over 90 minutes.