Tuesday, May 15, 2018

Real Madrid Castilla Greatest All-Time Team

Real Madrid B team reached the Copa del Rey's final in 1980
Please also see my All-Time World Cup Team Index.


Real Madrid All-Time Team Under Florentina Perez
Real Madrid All-Time Team Under Miguel Munoz
Real Madrid Argentine Bext XI
Castile without Madrid players
Madrid Community
Andalusia
Barcelona "La Masia" Academy Greatest All-Time team
Manchester United Academy Greatest All-Time team
Sporting CP Academy All-Time Team

This is my selection of a 25 member all-time team for the alumni of Real Madrid reserve team(Real Madrid Castilla)  The number 25 was chosen because it is the official squad size for the Champions' League.  Players were chosen for their career outside of the youth system. Some players never made it to the senior team of Real Madrid.

Real Madrid Castilla or also known as Real Madrid B is the reserve team of  Real Madrid.  It is one of the best academy in Europe.  It is known as La Fabrica ("the factory"). Reserve teams in Spain play in the same league system as their senior team rather than a separate league. Reserve teams, however, cannot play in the same division as their senior team. Therefore, Real Madrid B are ineligible for promotion to the Primera División.  In 1980, Real Madrid Castilla made history when it reached the Final of Copa del rey playing against Real Madrid senior team in the Final.

Julio Iglesias played for Real Madrid Castilla
Team
GK: Iker Casillas (Spain)
Iker Casillas is Spain's most decorated goalkeeper. He started with Real Madrid's academy and made his professional debut in 1999.  He won three Champions' League with them.  With 725 appearances for the club, Casillas is Madrid's second most capped player of all-time. For Spain, he earned 167 caps.  He captained Spain into winning the WC in 2010 and two European Championships in 2008 and 2012.  
Santiago Canizares and Iker Casillas
GK: Santiago Canizares (Spain) 
Santiago Canizares was a youth product of Real Madrid. He went to Valencia in 1998, where he led them to two Champions' league Final.  He won Ricardo Zamora Trophy: 1992–93 (shared), 2000–01, 2001–02, 2003–04. He received 46 caps. He went to six major international tournaments, but was mainly used as a backup, except at Euro 2000.

GK: García Remón (Spain)
Born in Madrid, Garcia Remón was best known for his spells with Real Madrid. He then began an interesting battle for first-choice status with Miguel Ángel González which would last for the vast majority of his stay in Madrid. Remón would start from 1971 to 1973 and 1979 to 1981.  At the international level, he earned two caps for Spain.

RB: Chendo (Spain)
Chendo was a product of Real Madrid academy.  He played his entire career with Real Madrid.  He was a part of the team that won back-to-back UEFA Cup titles in the mid-1980's.  He retired after the 1998 European Champions' League Final.  He was capped 26 times.  He represented Spain at both World Cup Finals in 1986 and 1990.

RB: Dani Carvajal (Spain)
Dani Carvajal went through Real Madrid's academy.  In 2012, he was sold to Bayer Leverkusen. In his only season there, he established himself among the best fullback in Bundesliga.  He returned to Real Madrid in a buyback clause. He was a contributor as Real Madrid won three Champions' League in his first 4 seasons.  At the time of writing, he is a member of the national team. He took part in the World Cup Finals in 2014.

RB: Alvaro Arbeloa (Spain)
Alvaro Arbeloa started his career with Real Madrid, but he made a name with Liverpool in England before making a return to his mother club in 2009.  He helped Real Madrid to win their 10th European Cup in 2014.  For Spain, he was mainly used as a sub during Spain's glorious run at Euro 2008 and the World Cup in 2010, but he was their starting rightback at the 2012 European Championship.

CB: Manuel Sanchis Hontiyuelo (Spain)
Manuel Sanchis Hontiyuelo is the son of Manuel Sanchez Martinez, he was was a member of the legendary Quinta del Buitre of Real Madrid.  He spent his entire career with Real Madrid and played over 700 matches.  He won back-to-back UEFA in the mid-1980's, and then, two Champions' league title at the end of his career in the late 1990's.  For Spain, he was capped 48 times, appearing at both Euro 1988 and the 1990 FIFA World Cup.
Manuel Sanchis Jr
CB: Gregorio "Goyo" Benito (Spain)
Benito started as a track and field star. He signed for Real Madrid in the 1963. After two years on loan to neighbouring Rayo Vallecano, he returned to his main club, remaining there for the following 14 seasons and winning six leagues and five Spanish Cups.  He was capped 22 times between 1971 and 1978.  Span failed to qualify for any major tournament during his time.

CB: Nacho (Spain)
Nacho is a youth product of Real Madrid Castilla.  At the time of writing, he plays his entire senior career with Real Madrid.  He is mainly used as a backup centerback, but can be used in all across the defensive line.  He is largely known as unsung hero of the club.  He made his Spanish debut in 2013. He was a part of the team at the World Cup Finals in 2018.  He scored a beautiful against Portugal.

LB/CB: Raúl Bravo (Spain)
Raul Bravo spent 6 seasons with Real Madrid during the first "Galactico" years after graduating from Real Madrid's academy.  In 2007, he left for Olympiakos in Greece, where he played another 4 seasons. He was capped 14 times for the Spanish national team.  He played every game at the 2004 European Championship in Portugal.

LB:  Jose Antonio Camacho (Spain)
Jose Camacho is widely considered to be Spain's greatest left back.  At the international level, he earned 81 caps for Spain.  He played at the 1982 and 1986 FIFA World Cups, as well as the Euro 1984 and 1988. Spain reached the Euro Final in 1984.  He spent 15 seasons with Real Madrid. He played with the great Real Madrid side of the 1980's.  He won 19 titles with Real Madrid, including two back-to-back UEFA Cups: 1984–85, 1985–86.
Camacho
DM/SW: Ricardo Gallego (Spain)
Born in Madrid, Ricardo Gallego was a member of La Quinta del Buitre of Real Madrid.  He spent most of his career with Real Madrid.  He won 5 straight La Liga titles and back-to-back UEFA Cups in the 1980's. He also played in Italy with Udinese.  He was capped 45 times for Spain.  He featured at the 1986 WC Finals and the Euro 1984, where Spain finished second.

DM: Casemiro (Brazil)
Casemiro started with Sao Paulo, where he played for three seasons.  In 2013, he joined Real Madrid B team(Castilla), where he would be eventually called to the first team.  For the 2014-2015, he was sent to Porto on a loan.  After a year, he returned to Real Madrid and quickly established as a major contributor as the club won three Champions' League.  At the time of writing, he earned 11 caps.

DM: Vicente del Bosque (Spain)
Vicente del Bosque almost played his entire career with Real Madrid, except with some loan spells at the beginning of his career.  He won five league titles (1974–75, 1975–76, 1977–78, 1978–79, 1979–80) and four Copa del Rey titles.  He was a part of Spain's team at the European Championship in 1980.  He later became a successful manager.

CM: Juan Mata (Spain)
Juan Mata was a youth academy player for Real Madrid, but he started with Valencia in 2007.  From 2011 to 2014, he played for Chelsea, where he was a major star for the team.  After a fallout with Jose Mourinho, he moved to Manchester United.  Ironically, they would reunite again at Old Trafford. For Spain, he was a part of the team that won the World Cup in 2010 and the European Championship two years later.

CM: Esteban Cambiasso (Argentina)
Esteban Cambiasso has won 23 official titles, being the Argentine footballer with most honours in history. The majority of his titles were won during his ten seasons at Internazionale, including five Scudetti and the 2009–10 UEFA Champions League. He also played for River Plate, Independiente, Real Madrid, Leicester City and Olympiacos. Cambiasso won 52 caps for Argentina, and represented the country at the 2006 World Cup.
Esteban Cambiasso 
RM: Michel (Spain)
Michel was one of the best right wings in Spain's history.  He was a member of Real Madrid's La Quinta del Buitre.  He won 5 straight La Liga titles and two UEFA Cups in the 1980's. He was a fixture for the national team in that period.  He won 66 caps.  He played in both 1986 and 1990 World Cup Finals. At the end of his career, he played with Celaya F.C. in Mexico alongside ex-teammates Emilio Butragueño and Hugo Sánchez .

LW/FW: Lucas Vázquez (Spain)
Lucas spent a season with Espanyol on lan before returning to Real Madrid in 2015.  Since 2015, he is mainly used as a bench player, but still became a contributor to the club's successes.  At the time of writing, he won two Champions' league titles.  Vázquez also represented Spain at Euro 2016.  He also went to the 2018 World Cup Finals in Russia.

AM: Manuel Velzaquez (Spain)
Except three seasons on loan with Rayo Vallecano and CD Málaga, Manuel Velázquez spent all of his 12 years in La Liga with Real Madrid.  He was a part of the Ye Ye team of the 1960's.  He won six La Liga, three Copa del Rey trophies and the 1965–66 edition of the European Cup. He was capped 10 times between 1967 and 1975.  He also spent time with Toronto Metros-Croatia in the NASL.

AM: Rafael Martin Vazquez (Spain)
Rafael Martin Vazquez was one of the most underrated attack midfielders in Spanish football.  He was a member of Real Madrid's La Quinta del Buitre, winning 5 straight La Liga title and back-to-back UEFA Cup with Real Madrid.  In 1990, he joined Torino in Italy and then, Marseille in 1992.  At the international level, he had 38 caps between 1987 and 1992, including the European Championship of 1988 and the 1990 FIFA World Cup.
Rafael Martin Vazquez
AM: Jose Luis Caminero (Spain)
Jose Luis Caminero was a product of Real Madrid'as academy.  He played for Real Valladolid from 1989 to 1993.  Then, he moved to Atletico Madrid, winning the Double in the 1995-1996 season.  He was the Spanish Player of the Year that season.  He returend to Valladolid at the end of his career.  For Spain, he went to the 1994 World Cup Finals in the USA. 

AM/CM: Guti (Spain)
During his professional career, Guti played almost exclusively for Real Madrid – appearing in 542 official games and serving as vice-captain – helping the club to win 15 trophies, most notably three Champions League (1998, 2000 and 2002) and five La Liga titles. In 2010, he joined Beşiktaş, where he played a single season. Guti played 13 times with Spain, making his debut in 1999.

FW: Ramon Grosso (Spain)
Grosso was home grown player from Real Madrid.  Except for  a four-month spell with Atlético Madrid, he played his entire career with Real Madrid. Even though he shared teams with the likes of Amancio Amaro, Francisco Gento or Ferenc Puskás, Grosso was team top scorer in his first two seasons. In the following years, Grosso played in several positions for Real Madrid, even being placed as goalkeeper in the Ramón de Carranza Trophy match with Boca Juniors.  Earned 14 caps.
Ramon Grosso
ST: Samuel E'too (Cameroon)
Samuel E'too started his career with the academy of Real Madrid.  He later played with Mallorca. He was a part of the famous REM line at Barcelona where he won two Champions' league titles.   He moved to Inter Milan in 2009 and won a third Champions' league in 2009-2010.  He won the African Player of the Year award a record four times: in 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2010.  

ST: Emilio Butragueño (Spain)
Nicknamed El Buitre (The Vulture), Emilio Butragueño was a member of the legendary Quinta del Buitre of Real Madrid, along with Manolo Sanchís, Rafael Martín Vázquez, Míchel and Miguel Pardeza. That team won 5 straight La Liga and two UEFA Cups from 1985 to 1990.  He went to the World Cup Finals in 1986 and 1990.  He scored 4 goals against the great Danish side in 1986 quarter-final.
Emilio Butragueño
ST: Álvaro Negredo (Spain)
Nicknamed La fiera de Vallecas (The beast of Vallecas), Negredo started with Real Madrid, but spending most of his early career playing for a various of clubs. From 2009 to 2013, he played for Sevilla, where he made his name. He later played for Manchester City, Valencia, Middlesbrough and Beşiktaş J.K. At the international level, Negredo earned 21 caps for Spain, scoring ten goals and was part of the team that won Euro 2012.

ST: Raul (Spain)
Raul was probably the best Spanish player in the late 1990's.  He made his debut with Real Madrid as a 17 years old.  He won 3 Champions' League trophies with Real Madrid in 1998, 2000 and 2002.  He moved Schalke 04 in 2010.  He is the fourth highest goal scorer in the history of La Liga with 228 goals.  For Spain, he scored a then-record 44 goals in 102 appearances, appearing in three World Cups and two European championships. He was their captaincy between 2002 and 2006.
Raul and Guti
Honorable Mention 
Enrique Mateos, Pedro Casado, Juan Manuel Villa, José María Vidal, Juan Santisteban, Fernando Serena, Negredo, Juanfran, Roberto Soldado, Miguel Pardeza, Borja Valero, Francisco Pineda, Agustín, Diego Lopez.

Squad Explanation
-- These players were selected for their achievements after graduating from Real Madrid Castilla.
--  Emilio Butragueño, Raul and Iker Casillas are three of Real Madrid's greatest ever homegrown players. They are the obvious choices.  I also considered their contributions to Real Madrid's senior club as a part of criteria.  
-- Julio Iglesias played for Real Madrid Castilla before he injured himself in a car accident.  He became a singer after he recovered.
-- No everyone starred for the senior team of Real Madrid. Santiago Canizares played a handful games for Real Madrid.  He is probably Valencia's greatest keeper.  Jose Luis Caminero is an all-time great with Atletico Madrid. Samuel E'too served for Barcelona FC.
-- Real Madrid was searching for a midfielder when Esteban Cambiasso was sitting on the bench in the early days of Galactico years.  At the time, David Beckham was playing out of position in the midfield.  In the summer of 2004, Cambiasso left Real Madrid for free and Real Madrid brought Thomas Gravesen about the same time.
-- Real Madrid won the 1966 European Cup with a team cosnisted mainly of Spanish players.  Ramon Grosso and Manuel Velzaquez were from the generation that was known as the "Ye-ye" generation. Fernando Serena made honorable mention. Jose Pirri and Amancio Amara did not play for the reserve team.
-- Real Madrid's La Quinta del Buitre won 5 straight La Liga title and back-to-back UEFA Cup in the 1980's. This group of players were all homegrown. Emilio Butragueño, Michel, Manuel Sanchis Jr and Rafael Martin Vazquez made this team while the fifth member Miguel Pardeza is on honorable mention.
-- While Nacho had contributed to Real Madrid's glorious run between 2014 and 2018, he was mainly a backup.  Raul Bravo also did not do much.  Manuel Sanchis Hontiyuelo is the only centerback of note.
-- The rightback position has a strong depth. I took an extra player because Alvaro Arbeloa contributed to the club's successes, but Juanfranc is left off.
-- García Remón was chosen as the third keeper.  Diego Lopez and Agustin were the alternatives.  When choosing between the three, I took Remon because of his contributions to the senior squad.
--  Alvaro Morata was selected over Negredo on the original team.  After Morata's failure to live up to expectation with Chelsea, I replaced him with Negredo (April, 2019).
-- Casemiro was brought into Castilla as a senior reinforcement, I believed. However, he played for Castilla, which he qualified as an ex-player of Castilla.
-- Although Casemiro, Lucas Vázquez and Dani Cavajal are still young, they contributed to the recent successes of the club.  This period, I considered, is one of the greatest in the history of the club.  
-- Juan Mata was the last player selected. He has been a great player in the Preimership.
La Quinta del Buitre
Formation
-- Vicente Del Bosque and Chendo started ahead of Casemiro and Carvajal based upon seniority.  Rafael Martin Vazquez and Guti are of similar level, I think. Cambiasso has done many things outside Real Madrid.




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