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What Are Real Madrid Players Called
What Are Real Madrid Players Called
The players of Real Madrid CF – one of football’s most storied clubs – are commonly referred to by several distinct nicknames. Many fans around the world know them as the “Blancos”, “Merengues” or even “Vikingos”. In this article we explain the origins of these names, what they mean, and how they reflect the club’s identity.
Real Madrid’s Primary Nicknames
The club’s most common nicknames are:
- Los Blancos (The Whites) – emphasising the club’s iconic all-white home kit.
- Los Merengues (The Meringues) – derived from the white colour of the shirt, likened to the French dessert “meringue”.
- Los Vikingos (The Vikings) – a less frequent but still established nickname with historical associations to the club’s playing style and certain eras.
When someone refers to “the Real Madrid players”, English-speaking commentators and fans often simply say “Madrid” or “Real”. The “Real” part is a Spanish honourific meaning “Royal” (from the club’s title “Real Madrid Club de Fútbol”).
The Origins of Each Nickname
Los Blancos
The all-white kit has been a hallmark of Real Madrid since the club’s earliest decades. The nickname “Blancos” stems directly from that. According to encyclopaedic sources, it emphasises the colour of the uniform.
Thus, when someone refers to Real Madrid’s players as “the Whites”, they are using Los Blancos in translation – and it simply highlights the uniform rather than a deeper metaphor.
Los Merengues
The nickname “Merengues” is more colourful in origin. According to the official LaLiga website, the term emerged because of the white kit’s resemblance to a meringue.
Another linguistic source explains that a Spanish sports journalist, Matías Prats Cañete, popularised the label by associating the shirt’s colour with the meringue dessert.
Therefore, calling Real Madrid players “Merengues” emphasises both the white uniform and a metaphor of light-colour dessert, used affectionately by fans and commentators.
Los Vikingos
The nickname “Vikingos” is less immediately obvious. According to sources, it has been used at times to reference the club’s combative approach in European competition and their willingness to “raid” abroad.
Thus, when someone calls the players “Vikings”, they are referencing a metaphor of sea-faring invaders, implying Real Madrid’s dominance and quest across Europe and not just domestic success.
What This Means for Real Madrid Players
When referring to any individual of the squad, whether a goalkeeper, defender, midfielder or forward, calling them a “Madridista” will often suffice in Spanish-language contexts. In English, describing someone as a Real Madrid player or a “Merengue” is appropriate.
Here is a short list of how you might refer to them:
- “He is a Real Madrid player (Madridista).”
- “He plays for Real Madrid – one of the Merengues.”
- “The Blancos take the field this evening.”
As an example: the current squad of Real Madrid includes players such as Thibaut Courtois and Jude Bellingham (as listed on the club website).
Historical and Cultural Context
Real Madrid’s nicknames are deeply woven into its history. The term “Galácticos” is also famously associated with the club’s star-studded era under former president Florentino Pérez in the early 2000s, when global super-stars were signed en masse. That era gave rise to a distinct label, though more about the stars than the uniform colour.
Other monikers from Real Madrid history include:
- La Quinta del Buitre – the cohort of home-grown players of the 1980s.
- Yé yé – the all-Spanish generation of the 1960s whose name derived from the Beatles-era “yeah-yeah”.
These terms reflect successive phases of the club’s evolution – but the nicknames “Blancos”, “Merengues” and “Vikingos” remain evergreen and apply to the players today.
How the Nicknames Are Used by Fans and Media
In match reports, commentary or everyday conversation, you will find phrases such as:
- “The Merengues will go in search of another La Liga title.”
- “Los Blancos showed their class in Europe.”
- “The Vikings returned to conquer the continent.”
These nicknames are used interchangeably and do not refer to specific subsets of players (for example, there is no “Merengues defence” vs “Blancos attack” distinction). They refer to the entire squad and club collectively.
What This Means for Buying Jerseys on Jerseys4Pro
As a fan, when you purchase a jersey from our site, you are buying the official attire of one of football’s most decorated squads. The nicknames add meaning:
- Wearing the all-white home shirt aligns you with the “Blancos”.
- Referencing Real Madrid as “Merengues” in conversation connects you with a long British/Canadian-English tradition of club nicknaming.
- The term “Vikings” adds a sense of continental dominance and heritage.
Check out the official Manchester United kits on jerseys4pro, and for Real Madrid supporters, we recommend browsing the full Real Madrid kit selection on jerseys4pro to pick your favourite style and colour.
Summary
In short, Real Madrid players are most commonly called the “Blancos”, “Merengues” or occasionally the “Vikings”. These nicknames reflect the club’s all-white kit, a playful dessert-based metaphor, and a symbol of European conquest respectively. When you refer to a Real Madrid player, any of those labels is widely recognised, especially in English-speaking football domains.