2016 Real Madrid Third – Cristiano Ronaldo #7 XL

Season Overview

The 2016–17 season was one of the most historic campaigns in the history of Real Madrid, as the club secured both La Liga and the UEFA Champions League under manager Zinedine Zidane. It was a season defined by tactical maturity, squad depth, and an unmatched ability to perform in decisive moments.

In La Liga, Real Madrid finished champions with 93 points, ending Barcelona’s domestic dominance through consistency and intelligent rotation. Zidane managed the squad expertly, utilizing nearly every player across competitions while maintaining intensity late into the season.

In Europe, Madrid became the first club in the Champions League era to successfully defend the title, defeating Juventus 4–1 in the final in Cardiff. Their route included victories over Napoli, Bayern Munich, and Atlético Madrid, reinforcing their status as Europe’s ultimate knockout team.

The 2016–17 Real Madrid third kit, produced by adidas, was one of the boldest shirts of the era. Featuring a striking turquoise / teal colorway with white detailing, the kit broke from Madrid’s traditional palette while maintaining elegance and modernity. Instantly recognizable, it has become a cult-favorite vintage football shirt associated with one of the greatest modern club sides.

Player’s Impact – Cristiano Ronaldo

The 2016–17 season represented one of the most complete and efficient campaigns of Cristiano Ronaldo’s career. Under Zidane’s management, Ronaldo evolved from an explosive winger into a devastatingly intelligent central goal scorer, maximizing efficiency and preserving energy for decisive fixtures.

Ronaldo scored 42 goals in all competitions, including 12 in the Champions League, where he dominated the knockout rounds. He produced legendary performances against Bayern Munich, scoring a hat-trick across the quarter-final tie, and against Atlético Madrid, where he netted another Champions League semi-final hat-trick.

In the final against Juventus, Ronaldo scored twice, becoming the first player to score in three separate Champions League finals. Operating increasingly as a central striker, he focused on movement inside the box, aerial dominance, and ruthless finishing.

This season earned Ronaldo his fifth Ballon d’Or and further cemented his legacy as perhaps the greatest Champions League player in football history. The 2016–17 campaign is widely regarded as one of the defining peaks of his career.

Full Squad List (Real Madrid – 2016–17 Season)

Manager: Zinedine Zidane

Goalkeepers:
Keylor Navas, Kiko Casilla, Rubén Yáñez

Defenders:
Sergio Ramos (captain), Marcelo, Dani Carvajal, Raphael Varane, Pepe, Nacho Fernández, Danilo

Midfielders:
Luka Modrić, Toni Kroos, Casemiro, Isco, James Rodríguez, Mateo Kovačić, Lucas Vázquez, Marco Asensio

Forwards:
Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, Gareth Bale, Álvaro Morata, Mariano Díaz