Real Madrid

2017–18 season
Captain Sergio Ramos hoisting the European Cup as Real Madrid celebrate winning the 2017-18 UEFA Champions League, on 26 May 2018
President	Florentino Pérez
Head coach	Zinedine Zidane
Stadium	Santiago Bernabéu
La Liga	3rd
Copa del Rey	Quarter-finals
Supercopa de España	Winners
UEFA Champions League	Winners
UEFA Super Cup	Winners
FIFA Club World Cup	Winners
Top goalscorer	League: Cristiano Ronaldo (26) All: Cristiano Ronaldo (44)
Highest home attendance	80,737 vs Barcelona (23 December 2017)
Lowest home attendance	37,553 vs Numancia (10 January 2018)
Average home league attendance	65,652
Biggest win	Real Madrid 7–1 Deportivo La Coruña APOEL 0–6 Real Madrid Real Madrid 6–0 Celta Vigo
Biggest defeat	Real Madrid 1-3 Barcelona
Home colours Away colours Third colours
← 2016–17 2018–19 →

The 2017–18 season was Real Madrid Club de Fútbol's 114th season in existence and the club's 87th consecutive season in the top flight of Spanish football. It covered a period from 1 July 2017 to 30 June 2018.

Despite finishing a distant third in the league that season, Real Madrid won four trophies out of six possible, including an unprecedented third consecutive Champions League title, which made them the first team to achieve the feat since Bayern Munich in 1976 and the first club across Europe's top 5 leagues to do it twice. This was also Madrid's fourth European Cup in five years, and their 13th overall. The three-peat winning manager Zinedine Zidane resigned shortly after the season concluded; he would return by the end of next season.^[1] Additionally, this was notably considered being Cristiano Ronaldo's final time staying with Los Merengues after 9 years spent winning 16 trophies altogether.^[2] Ronaldo had been the second Portuguese striker in the club's history since Luís Figo.

This season was the first since 2006–07 without Pepe, who departed to Turkish club Besiktas.

Théo Hernandez and Dani Ceballos joined Madrid on 5 and 14 July 2017.^[3][4]

Pepe went to Beşiktaş after his contract was up after the last season.^[5] James Rodríguez and Fábio Coentrão were loaned to Bayern Munich and Sporting CP respectively.^[6][7]

Mariano Díaz was transferred to Lyon.^[8] On 21 July, Álvaro Morata moved to Chelsea.^[9] Two days later, Danilo left Madrid and joined Manchester City.^[10]

On 8 August 2017, Madrid won the 2017 UEFA Super Cup, beating Manchester United 2–1 with goals from Casemiro and Isco.^[11]

On 13 August 2017, Madrid won the away leg of the 2017 Supercopa de España, defeating Barcelona 3–1 with goals from Cristiano Ronaldo, Marco Asensio and an own goal.^[12] The match was controversial, as several referring mistakes affected the teams. First, Barcelona was awarded a questionable penalty on Luis Suárez,^[13] which Messi converted to equalize in the 77th minute,^[14] and then, after Real scored their second via substitute Ronaldo,^[15] who shot into the top right corner from the edge of the box in the 80th minute, Cristiano was booked for removing his shirt as part of the celebration; two minutes later, he was booked again by the referee for allegedly diving when he collided with Samuel Umtiti in the box, which resulted in a second yellow card and Ronaldo being sent off,^[16] therefore getting suspended for the second leg. He was later given a five-match suspension after replays showed him push the referee in frustration for the red card. The latter penalty in hindsight derailed Madrid's season start and cost them points in La Liga. Real's last goal was scored in the 90th minute in similar fashion to the second, as Asensio shot into the top left corner following an assist from Lucas Vázquez.^[17][18]

Three days later, on 16 August 2017, Madrid clinched the title, after a 2–0 home win (5–1 on aggregate) with goals from Asensio and Karim Benzema.^[19] Goals from Gareth Bale, Casemiro and Toni Kroos gave Madrid a 3–0 winning start in the league campaign at Deportivo La Coruña on 20 August 2017.^[20] On 24 August 2017, the 2017–18 UEFA Champions League group stage draw was held, and Madrid was drawn in Group H, along with Borussia Dortmund, Tottenham Hotspur and APOEL.^[21] On 27 August 2017, two goals from Asensio were not enough as Madrid drew Valencia 2–2 at the Bernabéu.^[22]

Marcelo signed a new contract on 13 September, keeping him at the club until the summer of 2022.^[23] The same day, Madrid kicked off the new Champions League season with a 3–0 victory over APOEL, with a brace from Ronaldo and a goal from Sergio Ramos.^[24] A day later, Isco renewed his contract until 2022.^[25] The contract from Dani Carvajal was extended to 2022 on 17 September 2017.^[26] Later that day, Madrid got a 3–1 victory at Real Sociedad after goals from Borja Mayoral, Bale and an own goal.^[27] Because of the first goal, Madrid scored in their 73rd consecutive match, equalling the record set by Santos FC in 1963.^[28] The contract of Benzema was extended until 2021 on 20 September 2017.^[29] On the same day, Madrid lost to Real Betis 0–1, conceding a late goal. The defeat also ended their goalscoring streak.^[30] Marcos Llorente's contract was extended until 2021 on 23 September 2017.^[31] A brace from Ceballos secured Madrid a 2–1 win over Alavés on the same day.^[32] Madrid produced a comprehensive 3–1 away victory against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League just three days later, with a brace from Ronaldo and another goal from Bale.^[33] A day later, Raphaël Varane's contract was extended until 2022.^[34] On 28 September 2017, Asensio's contract was extended until 2023.^[35]

A brace from Isco helped Madrid to defeat Espanyol 2–0 on the first day of the month.^[36] On 14 October 2017, a late winner from Ronaldo secured a 2–1 victory at Getafe after Benzema initially gave Madrid the lead.^[37] Three days later, against Tottenham Hotspur, a goal from Ronaldo was not enough as the game ended in a 1–1 draw.^[38] Goals from Asensio, Marcelo and an own goal gave Madrid a 3–0 win over Eibar on 22 October 2017.^[39] On 26 October 2017, two converted penalties by Asensio and Vázquez saw Madrid kick off the Copa del Rey season with a 2–0 away win in the first leg against Fuenlabrada.^[40] A goal from Isco was not enough as Madrid lost to Girona, which ended their 13-game winning streak away from home.^[41]

On the first day of the new month, Madrid lost 1–3 against Tottenham in the Champions League, to concede their second consecutive loss. A late goal from Ronaldo was not enough.^[42] The next league match, on 5 November 2017, was won 3–0 against Las Palmas with goals from Casemiro, Asensio and Isco.^[43]

On 18 November 2017, the Madrid derby ended in a goalless draw.^[44] Madrid booked their place in the Champions League knockout stage after a 6–0 away victory over APOEL, with braces from Benzema and Ronaldo plus goals from Luka Modrić and Nacho on 21 November 2017.^[45] Four days later, Málaga CF was defeated after goals from Benzema, Casemiro and Ronaldo, 3–2.^[46] The return leg of the Copa del Rey tie against Fuenlabrada, on 28 November 2017, ended in a 2–2 draw with both goals coming from Mayoral. The aggregate score was 4–2 in favour of Madrid who advanced to the next round.^[47]

On the second day of the month, Madrid travelled to Bilbao and came up short with a 0–0 draw.^[48] Four days later, the last group stage match saw Madrid taking on Borussia Dortmund. Goals from Mayoral, Ronaldo and Vázquez gave Real a 3–2 victory. Ronaldo also set a competition record, having scored in every group stage match.^[49][50] Three days later, on 9 December, Madrid won 5–0 against Sevilla, with a brace from Ronaldo and goals from Nacho, Kroos and Achraf Hakimi, who all scored in the first half.^[51] On 13 December 2017, the semi-final in the 2017 FIFA Club World Cup against Al Jazira was won 2–1 by goals from Ronaldo and Bale.^[52] Three days later, Madrid won the tournament after a 1–0 final victory over Grêmio, with Ronaldo scoring the decisive goal from a spectacular free kick.^[53] Back in Spain, El Clásico ended in a 0–3 defeat on 23 December 2017.^[54]

The new year started just four days in, with a Copa del Rey round of 16 first leg against Numancia. The game ended in a 3–0 win after goals from Bale, Isco and Mayoral.^[55] On 7 January 2018, the match against Celta Vigo ended in a 2–2 draw, with a brace from Bale.^[56] Three days later, a brace from Vázquez in a 2–2 draw in the return leg of the Copa del Rey against Numnacia was enough for Madrid to advance to the quarter-finals, thanks to a 5–2 aggregate win.^[57] On 13 January 2018, Madrid lost 0–1 against Villarreal, conceding a late goal.^[58] A goal from Asensio gave Madrid a 1–0 advantage after the first leg of the Copa del Rey quarter-finals against Leganés on 18 January 2018.^[59] Three days later, braces from Nacho, Bale and Ronaldo, plus a goal from Modrić, secured Madrid a resounding 7–1 victory over Deportivo La Coruña.^[60] Madrid was eliminated from the Copa del Rey on 24 January 2018, after they lost the second leg against Leganés 1–2, despite a goal from Benzema. Leganés advanced on the away goals rule, with the aggregate score being tied 2–2.^[61] The next weekend, on 27 January 2018, Madrid went on to win 4–1 at Valencia after a brace from Ronaldo and goals from Marcelo and Kroos.^[62]

On 3 February 2018, Madrid travelled to Levante and came away with a 2–2 draw, despite having been in front twice after goals from Ramos and Isco.^[63] A hat-trick from Ronaldo and goals from Vázquez and Kroos gave Madrid a 5–2 victory against Real Sociedad, a week later.^[64] The first leg of the Champions League round of 16 against Paris Saint-Germain on 14 February 2018 was won 3–1 after a brace from Ronaldo and a goal from Marcelo.^[65] Four days later, two goals from Asensio and goals from Ramos, Ronaldo and Benzema secured Madrid a 5–3 win over Real Betis.^[66] Against Leganés, on 21 February 2018, Madrid won 3–1 after goals from Vázquez, Casemiro and Ramos.^[67] Just three days later, a brace from Ronaldo and goals from Bale and Benzema secured Real a 4–0 win over Alavés.^[68] The away game at Espanyol was lost 0–1 after an injury-time goal on 27 February 2018.^[69]

On 3 March 2018, a brace from Ronaldo and a goal from Bale helped Madrid to get a 3–1 win over Getafe.^[70] Three days later, the return leg of the UEFA Champions League round of 16 tie against Paris Saint-Germain was won 2–1 after goals from Ronaldo and Casemiro. That result gave Madrid a 5–2 advantage over the two legs.^[71] Another four days later, a brace from Ronaldo secured Real all three points in a 2–1 away win at Eibar.^[72] On 18 March 2018, Madrid defeated Girona 6–3 at home with four goals from Ronaldo and singles from Vázquez and Bale.^[73] On the last day of March, a brace from Bale and a goal from Benzema helped Real to record a fifth consecutive victory with a 3–0 win at Las Palmas.^[74]

On 3 April 2018, in the Champions League quarter-finals against Juventus, Ronaldo scored twice, including a spectacular overhead kick, and Marcelo added another goal to give Madrid a 3–0 first leg victory.^[75] Five days later, a volley goal from Ronaldo put Madrid in the lead against Atlético, but the match eventually ended 1–1.^[76] On 11 April 2018, down 0–3, Ronaldo converted an injury time penalty to secure Madrid a spot in the semi-finals of the Champions League; the 1–3 loss was enough as Real won 4–3 on aggregate against Juventus.^[77] Four days later, goals from Isco and Casemiro secured a 2–1 win over Málaga.^[78] A late Ronaldo equalizer got Madrid a 1–1 draw against Athletic Bilbao on 18 April 2018.^[79] A week later, against Bayern Munich in the semi-finals of the Champions League, Madrid got a 2–1 away leg win after goals from Marcelo and Asensio.^[80] On 28 April 2018, the game against Leganés was won 2–1 with goals from Bale and Mayoral.^[81]

A brace from Benzema against Bayern Munich helped Madrid to reach the final after the second leg ended in a 2–2 draw on 1 May 2018, which secured a 4–3 aggregate victory.^[82] The Clásico, five days later, ended in a 2–2 draw with goals from Ronaldo and Bale.^[83] Just three days later, on 9 May 2018, Madrid lost 2–3 at Sevilla with late goals from Mayoral and Ramos.^[84] Three days later, Madrid won 6–0 against Celta Vigo, with Bale scoring a brace and Isco, Hakimi, Kroos and an own goal chipping in the other goals.^[85] The last game of the league season, on 19 May 2018, ended in a 2–2 away draw against Villarreal, after goals from Bale and Ronaldo initially gave Madrid the lead.^[86] On 26 May 2018, two goals from Bale and another one from Benzema helped Madrid to win their third consecutive Champions League title, and fourth in five years, after defeating Liverpool 3–1.^[87]

N	Pos.	Nat.	Name	Age	EU	Since	App	Goals	Ends	Transfer fee	Notes
1	GK		Keylor Navas	31	EU	2014	141	0	2020	€10M	Second nationality: Spain
2	RB		Dani Carvajal	26	EU	2013	199	4	2022	€6.5M	Originally from youth system
3	CB		Jesús Vallejo	21	EU	2015	12	0	2021	€6M
4	CB		Sergio Ramos (captain)	32	EU	2005	564	73	2020	€28M
5	CB		Raphaël Varane	25	EU	2011	233	10	2022	€10M
6	CB		Nacho	28	EU	2012	160	9	2021	Youth system
7	LW		Cristiano Ronaldo (2nd vice-captain)	33	EU	2009	438	450	2021	€94M
8	CM		Toni Kroos	28	EU	2014	190	12	2022	€25M
9	ST		Karim Benzema (3rd vice-captain)	30	EU	2009	412	192	2021	€35M	Second nationality: Algeria
10	CM		Luka Modrić	32	EU	2012	257	13	2020	€30M
11	RW		Gareth Bale	28	EU	2013	185	88	2022	€100.8M
12	LB		Marcelo (vice-captain)	30	EU	2007 (Winter)	452	33	2022	€6.5M	Second nationality: Spain
13	GK		Kiko Casilla	31	EU	2015	43	0	2020	€6M	Originally from youth system
14	CM		Casemiro	26	Non-EU	2013	149	14	2021	€6M
15	LB		Théo Hernandez	20	EU	2017	23	0	2023	€30M
17	RW		Lucas Vázquez	27	EU	2015	135	16	2021	€1M	Originally from youth system
18	CM		Marcos Llorente	23	EU	2015	23	0	2021	Youth system
19	RB		Achraf Hakimi	19	EU	2017	17	2	2018	Youth system	Second nationality: Spain
20	RW		Marco Asensio	22	EU	2014	90	21	2023	€3.9M	Second nationality: Netherlands
21	ST		Borja Mayoral	21	EU	2015	29	7	2021	Youth system
22	CM		Isco	26	EU	2013	240	42	2022	€27M
23	CM		Mateo Kovačić	24	EU	2015	108	3	2021	€29M
24	CM		Dani Ceballos	21	EU	2017	22	2	2023	€16.5M

No.	Pos.	Nat.	Name	Age	EU	Moving from	Type	Transfer window	Ends	Transfer fee	Source
3	DF		Jesús Vallejo	20	EU	Eintracht Frankfurt	End of Loan	Summer	2021	Free
15	DF		Théo Hernandez	19	EU	Atlético Madrid	Transfer	Summer	2023	€24M	Real Madrid C.F.
18	MF		Marcos Llorente	22	EU	Alavés	End of Loan	Summer	2018	Free
19	DF		Achraf Hakimi	18	EU	R.M. Castilla	Promoted	Summer	2018	Youth system
21	FW		Borja Mayoral	20	EU	VfL Wolfsburg	End of Loan	Summer	2021	Free
24	MF		Dani Ceballos	20	EU	Real Betis	Transfer	Summer	2023	€16.5M	Real Madrid C.F.
	DF		Diego Llorente	23	EU	Málaga	End of Loan	Summer	2020	Free
	FW		Burgui	23	EU	Sporting Gijón	End of Loan	Summer	2017	Free

Total spending: €40.5M

N	Pos.	Nat.	Name	Age	EU	Moving to	Type	Transfer window	Transfer fee	Source
3	DF		Pepe	34	EU	Beşiktaş	End of contract	Summer	Free	Beşiktaş J.K.
10	MF		James Rodríguez	25	Non-EU	Bayern Munich	Loan	Summer	€13M	FC Bayern Munich
15	DF		Fábio Coentrão	29	EU	Sporting CP	Loan	Summer	Free	Sporting Clube de Portugal
18	FW		Mariano	23	EU	Lyon	Transfer	Summer	€8M	Olympique Lyonnais
21	FW		Álvaro Morata	24	EU	Chelsea	Transfer	Summer	€65M	Chelsea F.C.
23	DF		Danilo	25	Non-EU	Manchester City	Transfer	Summer	€30M	Manchester City F.C.
25	GK		Rubén Yáñez	23	EU	Getafe	Transfer	Summer	Free	Getafe CF
	DF		Diego Llorente	23	EU	Real Sociedad	Transfer	Summer	€7M	Real Sociedad
	FW		Burgui	23	EU	Alavés	Transfer	Summer	€3M	Deportivo Alavés

Total income: €141M Net income: €100.5M

Real Madrid v Manchester United

23 July 2017[88] 1	Real Madrid	1–1 (1–2 p)	Manchester United	Santa Clara, United States
14:00 PDT	Casemiro 69' (pen.) Óscar  85'	Report	Lingard 45+1'	Stadium: Levi's Stadium Attendance: 65,109 Referee: Kevin Stott (United States)
	Penalties
	Kovačić Óscar Quezada Hernandez Casemiro		Martial McTominay Mkhitaryan Lindelöf Blind

Manchester City v Real Madrid

26 July 2017[88] 2	Manchester City	4–1	Real Madrid	Los Angeles, United States
20:30 PDT	Touré  29' Otamendi 52' Sterling 59' Stones 67' Brahim 81' Nasri  88'	Report	Nacho  33' Carvajal  41' Óscar 90'	Stadium: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Attendance: 93,098 Referee: Baldomero Toledo (United States)

Real Madrid v Barcelona

29 July 2017[89] 3	Real Madrid	2–3	Barcelona	Miami Gardens, United States
20:05 EDT	Kovačić 14' Varane  22' Asensio 36' Carvajal  60'	Report	Messi 3' Rakitić 7' Piqué 50' L. Suárez  60' Samper  78'	Stadium: Hard Rock Stadium Attendance: 66,014 Referee: Jair Marrufo (United States)

MLS All-Stars v Real Madrid

2 August 2017[90] 4	MLS All-Stars	1–1 (2–4 p)	Real Madrid	Chicago, United States
18:30 CT	Dwyer 87'	Report	Mayoral 59'	Stadium: Soldier Field Attendance: 61,428 Referee: Allen Chapman (United States)
	Penalties
	Dwyer Dos Santos Valeri Almirón		Benzema Bale Kovačić Marcelo

Real Madrid v Fiorentina

23 August 2017[91] 5	Real Madrid	2–1	Fiorentina	Madrid, Spain
22:45	Mayoral 7' Ronaldo 33'	Report	Veretout 4' Benassi  49' Cristóforo  68' Olivera  89'	Stadium: Santiago Bernabéu Referee: Ignacio Iglesias Villanueva (Spain)

Times from 1 July to 29 October 2017 and from 25 March to 30 June 2018 are UTC+2, from 30 October 2017 to 25 March 2018 UTC+1.

Real Madrid v Eibar

22 October 2017 9	Real Madrid	3–0	Eibar	Madrid
20:45	Oliveira 18' (o.g.) Casemiro  23' Asensio 28' Marcelo 82'	Report	Charles  24'	Stadium: Santiago Bernabéu Attendance: 63,705 Referee: Alfonso Álvarez Izquierdo

Real Madrid v Las Palmas

5 November 2017 11	Real Madrid	3–0	Las Palmas	Madrid
20:45	Casemiro 41' Isco  45', 74' Asensio 56' Kroos  64'	Report	Ximo  79'	Stadium: Santiago Bernabéu Attendance: 63,326 Referee: José María Sánchez Martínez

Espanyol v Real Madrid

27 February 2018 26	Espanyol	1–0	Real Madrid	Cornellà de Llobregat
20:00	Aarón  81' Gerard 90+3'	Report	Bale  37'	Stadium: RCDE Stadium Attendance: 19,805 Referee: José María Sánchez Martínez

Eibar v Real Madrid

10 March 2018 28	Eibar	1–2	Real Madrid	Eibar
13:00	Ramis  45', 50'	Report	Bale  30' Ronaldo 34', 84'	Stadium: Ipurua Attendance: 6,707 Referee: José Luis Munuera Montero

Real Madrid v Celta Vigo

12 May 2018 37	Real Madrid	6–0	Celta Vigo	Madrid
20:45	Bale 13', 30' Isco 42' Hakimi 52' S. Gómez 74' (o.g.) Kroos 81'	Report	Mallo  84'	Stadium: Santiago Bernabéu Attendance: 56,583 Referee: Pablo González Fuertes

Madrid joined the competition in the group stage.

Pos	Team v t e	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Qualification		TOT	RMA	DOR	APO
1	Tottenham Hotspur	6	5	1	0	15	4	+11	16	Advance to knockout phase		—	3–1	3–1	3–0
2	Real Madrid	6	4	1	1	17	7	+10	13			1–1	—	3–2	3–0
3	Borussia Dortmund	6	0	2	4	7	13	−6	2[a]	Transfer to Europa League		1–2	1–3	—	1–1
4	APOEL	6	0	2	4	2	17	−15	2[a]			0–3	0–6	1–1	—

Real Madrid v APOEL

13 September 2017 1	Real Madrid	3–0	APOEL	Madrid, Spain
20:45	Ronaldo 12', 51' (pen.) Carvajal  52' Ramos 61'	Report	Sallai  53' Ebecilio  63' Farías  90'	Stadium: Santiago Bernabéu Attendance: 71,060 Referee: Benoît Bastien (France)

Borussia Dortmund v Real Madrid

26 September 2017 2	Borussia Dortmund	1–3	Real Madrid	Dortmund, Germany
20:45	Toprak  52' Aubameyang 54' Weigl  63'	Report	Bale 18',  29' Carvajal  39' Modrić  40' Ronaldo 49', 79'	Stadium: Westfalenstadion Attendance: 65,849 Referee: Björn Kuipers (Netherlands)

Real Madrid v Tottenham Hotspur

17 October 2017 3	Real Madrid	1–1	Tottenham Hotspur	Madrid, Spain
20:45	Ronaldo  32', 43' (pen.)	Report	Varane 28' (o.g.) Aurier  43'	Stadium: Santiago Bernabéu Attendance: 76,589 Referee: Szymon Marciniak (Poland)