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| Fernando Torres and Iker Casillas |
Spain All-Time Team
Real Madrid,
Atletico Madrid,
Basque, Catalonia, Castile without Madrid players, Andalusia
Valencian Community, Galicia, Asturias, Aragon.
The Community of Madrid (Comunidad de Madrid )is one of the seventeen autonomous communities of Spain. It is located in the centre of the Iberian Peninsula, and of the Central Plateau (Meseta Central). Its capital is the city of Madrid, which is also the capital of the country. The Community of Madrid is bounded to the south and east by Castilla–La Mancha and to the north and west by Castile and León. It was formally created in 1983, based on the limits of the province of Madrid, which was until then conventionally included in the historical region of New Castile.
The Community of Madrid is the third most populous in Spain with 6,549,979 (2018) inhabitants mostly concentrated in the metropolitan area of Madrid. It is also the most densely populated autonomous community. The region is home to Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, Racing de Santander, Rayo Vallecano and Getafe CF.
This is my selection of all-time 23 member team for Community of Madrid. The all-time teams of Andalusia, Basque and Catalonia were based on ethnicity, but this team is based on birth places.
Team
GK: Iker Casillas
Iker Casillas is Spain's most decorated goalkeeper and widely considered to be one of the greatest ever goalkeepers. He spent 16 seasons with Real Madrid and won three Champions' League with Real Madrid. For Spain, he captained Spain into winning the World Cup in 2010 and two European Championships in 2008 and 2012. He is capped over 150 times between 2000 and 2016, appearing in every major tournaments in that period. He also played for Porto at the end of his career.
GK: David De Gea
De Gea began his career with Atlético Madrid. He helped the team win both the Europa League and the Super Cup in 2010. He joined Manchester United in June 2011 for £18.9 million, a British record for a goalkeeper at the time. At the time of writing, he only had 30 caps. He was Iker Casillas' backup in the 2014 World Cup Finals. He was the starter at Euro 2016 and 2018 World Cup Finals.
GK: Pepe Reina
Pepe Reina first became a star at Villarreal when he helped the club to reach the Champions' league for the first time in history. A year later, he joined Liverpool FC. At Liverpool FC, he won three Premier League Golden Glove. He was a part of Spain at World Cup 2010, Euro 2008 and Euro 2012, but served as a backup to Iker Casillas. His father was also a professional footballer who was capped 5 times for Spain.
RB: Dani Carvajal
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 four Champions' League in his first 5 seasons. At the time of writing, he is a member of the national team. He played in the 2018 World Cup Finals.
The Community of Madrid is the third most populous in Spain with 6,549,979 (2018) inhabitants mostly concentrated in the metropolitan area of Madrid. It is also the most densely populated autonomous community. The region is home to Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, Racing de Santander, Rayo Vallecano and Getafe CF.
This is my selection of all-time 23 member team for Community of Madrid. The all-time teams of Andalusia, Basque and Catalonia were based on ethnicity, but this team is based on birth places.
Team
GK: Iker Casillas
Iker Casillas is Spain's most decorated goalkeeper and widely considered to be one of the greatest ever goalkeepers. He spent 16 seasons with Real Madrid and won three Champions' League with Real Madrid. For Spain, he captained Spain into winning the World Cup in 2010 and two European Championships in 2008 and 2012. He is capped over 150 times between 2000 and 2016, appearing in every major tournaments in that period. He also played for Porto at the end of his career.
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| Iker Casillas |
De Gea began his career with Atlético Madrid. He helped the team win both the Europa League and the Super Cup in 2010. He joined Manchester United in June 2011 for £18.9 million, a British record for a goalkeeper at the time. At the time of writing, he only had 30 caps. He was Iker Casillas' backup in the 2014 World Cup Finals. He was the starter at Euro 2016 and 2018 World Cup Finals.
GK: Pepe Reina
Pepe Reina first became a star at Villarreal when he helped the club to reach the Champions' league for the first time in history. A year later, he joined Liverpool FC. At Liverpool FC, he won three Premier League Golden Glove. He was a part of Spain at World Cup 2010, Euro 2008 and Euro 2012, but served as a backup to Iker Casillas. His father was also a professional footballer who was capped 5 times for Spain.
RB: Dani Carvajal
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 four Champions' League in his first 5 seasons. At the time of writing, he is a member of the national team. He played in the 2018 World Cup Finals.
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| Dani Carvajal |
RB: Isidoro San José
Born in Madrid, San José arrived in Real Madrid's youth academy at the age of 12. He played for the senior side from 1976 to 1986. He won back-to-back UEFA Cups before Chendo took over his spot. For Spain, he earned 13 caps and played all three matches at the 1978 World Cup Finals.
CB: Roberto Solozabal
Roberto Solozabal was a product of Atletico Madrid academy. He played there from 1989 to 1997. He was known for his solid partnership with Juan Manuel Lopez for the season their club won the Double in 1996. He went to Real Betis in 1997. He won the Gold medal at the Barcelona Olympics and earned 12 full caps.
CB: Juanma López
Juan Manuel López was better known as Juanma López. He was a one club man with Atletico Madrid, where he made his senior debut in 1991. During the 1995–96 campaign, López, often dubbed Super López, formed a solid centre-back partnership with Roberto Solozábal, as the team won an historic double. He was capped 11 times, winning the Gold Medal at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona. He also went to the Euro 1996 in England.
José Luis Capón played for Atlético Madrid between 1970 and 1980, winning the Spanish League in 1973 and 1977, the Spanish Cup in 1976, and the Intercontinental Cup in 1974. He played in the 1974 European Cup Final, which Atlético lost to Bayern Munich after the replay. He also played Burgos and Elche at the club level. From 1973 to 1977, he won 13 caps for Spain.
CM: Miguel Munoz
Munoz spent most of his career with Real Madrid. He was the captain of the Real Madrid team in the 1950's. He won three European Cups before becoming the coach of Real Madrid, where he won two more European Cups, making Real Madrid the greatest club in history.
AM: Manuel Velzaquez
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
Rafael Martin Vazquez was one of the most underrated attack midfielder in Spanish football. He was a member of 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 Marseille in 1992. He had 38 caps.
AM: Jose Luis Caminero
Jose Luis Caminero was a product of Real Madrid, but started his career with Real Valladolid. In 1993, he moved to Atletico Madrid. Over there, he won the Double in 1995-1996 and the Spanish Player of the Year that same season. He returned to Real Valladolid. At the international level, he had 21 caps and played in the 1994 World Cuop Finals in the USA and the 1996 European Championship in England.
FW: Luis Aragones
Luis Aragones is known as the coach of Spain's European Championship winning team in 2008. As a player, he started with Getafe in 1957 and then, Real Madrid a year later. But he never made a mark. He finally made a name with Real Betis and signed with Atletico Madrid in 1964, where he won three league titles. He is the club's all-time leading scorer. H was known for his freekick. He was capped 11 times between 1964 and 1972.
FW: Ramon Grosso
Grosso spent 12 seasons from 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 a match against Boca Juniors. Earned 14 caps.
ST: Fernando Torres
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.
ST: Raul
Squad Explanation
-- Raul, Fernando Torres and Emilio Butragueño were obvious choices for the forward position. They were three of the greatest strikers of Spain in the post-War era. Then, I took Ramon Grosso who won the 1966 European Cup with Real Madrid. All five attackers are legends of a club in Madrid.
Formation
I am unable to start Emilio Butragueño, but he is on par with Raul and Fernando Torres. I am happy to swap him either of them.
Born in Madrid, San José arrived in Real Madrid's youth academy at the age of 12. He played for the senior side from 1976 to 1986. He won back-to-back UEFA Cups before Chendo took over his spot. For Spain, he earned 13 caps and played all three matches at the 1978 World Cup Finals.
CB: Roberto Solozabal
Roberto Solozabal was a product of Atletico Madrid academy. He played there from 1989 to 1997. He was known for his solid partnership with Juan Manuel Lopez for the season their club won the Double in 1996. He went to Real Betis in 1997. He won the Gold medal at the Barcelona Olympics and earned 12 full caps.
CB: Juanma López
Juan Manuel López was better known as Juanma López. He was a one club man with Atletico Madrid, where he made his senior debut in 1991. During the 1995–96 campaign, López, often dubbed Super López, formed a solid centre-back partnership with Roberto Solozábal, as the team won an historic double. He was capped 11 times, winning the Gold Medal at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona. He also went to the Euro 1996 in England.
CB: Felix Quesada
Felix Quesada spent his entire career from 1922 to 1936 with Real Madrid. he made his first team debut before he turned 20. He became captain in the period between 1928 and 1935. Together with Ricardo Zamora, Ciriaco Errasti and Jacinto Quincoces among others, he was key players of the team that won the club's first two league championships in 1932 and 1933. He played 9 times for Spain.
CB: Manuel Sanchis Hontiyuelo
His father was an all-time great at Real Madrid, winning the 1966 European Cup with the Ye-Ye team. Manuel Sanchis Jr himself was a member of La Quinta del Buitre and spent his entire career with Real Madrid. He won 5 straight La Liga titles and two UEFA Cups in the 1980's. Then, in the late 1990's, he was a member of another great Real Madrid team. He won two more Champions' League trophies. He won 48 caps, and went to the WC Finals in 1990 and Euro 1988.
LB: José Luis CapónHis father was an all-time great at Real Madrid, winning the 1966 European Cup with the Ye-Ye team. Manuel Sanchis Jr himself was a member of La Quinta del Buitre and spent his entire career with Real Madrid. He won 5 straight La Liga titles and two UEFA Cups in the 1980's. Then, in the late 1990's, he was a member of another great Real Madrid team. He won two more Champions' League trophies. He won 48 caps, and went to the WC Finals in 1990 and Euro 1988.
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| Manuel Sanchis |
José Luis Capón played for Atlético Madrid between 1970 and 1980, winning the Spanish League in 1973 and 1977, the Spanish Cup in 1976, and the Intercontinental Cup in 1974. He played in the 1974 European Cup Final, which Atlético lost to Bayern Munich after the replay. He also played Burgos and Elche at the club level. From 1973 to 1977, he won 13 caps for Spain.
CM: Miguel Munoz
Munoz spent most of his career with Real Madrid. He was the captain of the Real Madrid team in the 1950's. He won three European Cups before becoming the coach of Real Madrid, where he won two more European Cups, making Real Madrid the greatest club in history.
DM/SW: Ricardo Gallego
Born in Madrid, he 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: Juan Antonio Senor
Born in Madrid, he 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: Juan Antonio Senor
Juan Antonio Señor played mainly for Zaragoza, amassing nearly 400 official appearances in nine years. He gained more than 40 caps during the 80's, representing the nation in the 1986 World Cup Finals and one European Championship in 1984. He scored the all important that qualified Spain to Euro 1984 Finals.
RM: Michel
RM: Michel
Michel was one of the best right wingers in Spain's history. He was a member of Real Madrid's La Quinta del Buitre. With Real Madrid, he won 5 straight La Liga titles and two UEFA Cups in the 1980's. He also played in Mexico with Celaya. 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.
LW/FW: Joaquin Peiro
Joaquin Peiro is a legend at Atletico Madrid. He starred as his hometown club won back-to-back Copa del Rey from 1959 to 1961 and the Cup Winners' Cup in 1962. In 1962, he moved to play for Torino in Italy. Then, in 1964, he joined Inter Milan and won the European Cup in 1965. He later played and captained Roma. He earned 12 caps for Spain over a period of ten years, scoring five times. He participated in the 1962 and 1966 World Cup Finals.
LW/FW: Joaquin Peiro
Joaquin Peiro is a legend at Atletico Madrid. He starred as his hometown club won back-to-back Copa del Rey from 1959 to 1961 and the Cup Winners' Cup in 1962. In 1962, he moved to play for Torino in Italy. Then, in 1964, he joined Inter Milan and won the European Cup in 1965. He later played and captained Roma. He earned 12 caps for Spain over a period of ten years, scoring five times. He participated in the 1962 and 1966 World Cup Finals.
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| Joaquin Peiro |
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
Rafael Martin Vazquez was one of the most underrated attack midfielder in Spanish football. He was a member of 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 Marseille in 1992. He had 38 caps.
AM: Jose Luis Caminero
Jose Luis Caminero was a product of Real Madrid, but started his career with Real Valladolid. In 1993, he moved to Atletico Madrid. Over there, he won the Double in 1995-1996 and the Spanish Player of the Year that same season. He returned to Real Valladolid. At the international level, he had 21 caps and played in the 1994 World Cuop Finals in the USA and the 1996 European Championship in England.
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| Jose Luis Caminero |
Luis Aragones is known as the coach of Spain's European Championship winning team in 2008. As a player, he started with Getafe in 1957 and then, Real Madrid a year later. But he never made a mark. He finally made a name with Real Betis and signed with Atletico Madrid in 1964, where he won three league titles. He is the club's all-time leading scorer. H was known for his freekick. He was capped 11 times between 1964 and 1972.
Grosso spent 12 seasons from 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 a match against Boca Juniors. Earned 14 caps.
ST: Fernando Torres
Torres started his career with Atletico Madrid in 2001, where he became the captain at age 19. In 2007, he moved to Liverpool FC and became a big star in England. In 2011, Chelsea allegedly broke the British transfer record to buy him. He was a part of the Champions' league winning team in 2012. For the national team, he was a part of the generation that won the WC in 2010 and two European Championships. At Euro 2012, he was the top-scorer.
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| Fernando Torres |
ST: Raul
Raul was probably the best Spanish player in the late 1990's. He made his professional debut at the age of 17 with Real Madrid. Her won 3 Champions' League trophies with Real Madrid in 1998, 2000 and 2002. He moved to Germany in 2010 and played with Schalke 04. He is the fourth highest goal scorer in the history of La Liga with 228 goals. For Spain, he had 101 caps . He played in three World Cup Finals.
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| Raul |
Honorable Mention
Alberto Martorell, Nacho, Ramon Garcia, Hipólito Rincón, Enrique Mateos, Álvaro Negredo, Guti, Alvaro Morata, Koke, Gabi, Santiago Canizares, Desiderio Fajardo, Lorenzo del Campo, Alberto Martorell, Gabi Moya, Rubén de la Red, Rodri, Alfonso Perez, Pedro de Felipe, Víctor Sánchez, Marcos Llorente.
Squad Explanation
-- In 2015, I created a blog team for Castile. It is a vaguely defined historical region of Spain. It is consisted of players from of Castile and Leon, Castile and La Mancha, Cantabria, La Rioja and Madrid. In 2020, I decided to separate Madrid-born players from the Castile. The old blog team became Castile without Madrid-born player All-Time Team. So this blog team is about players born in the Community of Madrid.
-- Iker Casillas, Raul and Emilio Butragueño were on my Spain all-time team. Fernando Torres narrowly missed out on that team.
-- Raul is the all-time Madrid-born leading scorer for the national team. Iker Casillas was the cap recorder holder.
-- Desiderio Fajardo of Atletico Madrid was the first player born here to be capped by Spain. He was followed by Lorenzo del Campo. I put them on honorable mention.
-- 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. The fifth member of this group was Miguel Pardeza, who was not born in Madrid. He also left Real Madrid very early on in his career.
-- Juan Senor and Pepe Reina were the only two players who never played for Real Madrid or Atletico Madrid, but Juan Senor came from Real Madrid's academy.
-- Iker Casillas was the undisputed choice for goalkeepers. In the old blog team, Santiago Canizares was ahead of David De Gea. For this 2020 team, I replaced him with David De Gea. He also narrowly missed out to Pepe Reina. Ramon Garcia formerly of Real Madrid made honorable mention. Except Casillas, all four seemed close in standard. I could easily put Santiago Canizares or Ramon Garcia back onto the team.
-- Because this blog team is based upon birthplace, Pepe Reina who is also a member of my Andalusian all-time team is eligible because of his birthplace. Santiago Cañizares was born in Madrid but raised in Puertollano, Castile-La Mancha. He was not on my
-- Rightback Dani Carvajal was the obvious choice. He won four Champions' League titles with Real Madrid. Then, I took Isidoro San José over Quique Flores. Both spent time with Real Madrid. I also have Carlos Aguilera. I only selected a single leftback José Luis Capón.
-- Juanma López and Roberto Solozabal formed a famous partner in the back for Atletico Madrid. They won a historical double for the club. Their contributions to a local club were important in their selections to this team.
-- Manuel Sanchis Hontiyuelo was born in Madrid when his father played for Real Madrid. His father Manuel Sanchis Sr was born in Alberique. He was not eligible for this team. Sanchis Jr ranked among the highest record appearance for Real Madrid. He
-- Nacho was mainly used as a backup with Real Madrid, but he can play in every defensive position on the pitch. I selected him on my original team. He would have been used as my backup leftback. In 2021, I replaced him with Felix Quesada. In Real Madrid, Quesada had a much more important role than Nacho. I rankled him as my 6th greatest central defender for the club. Felix Quesada's position was probably central defence. The tactics and formation back were different. Pedro de Felipe was also an important player for Real Madrid. I rated him 8th. He made honorable mention. Manuel Sanchis Hontiyuelo was 4th. I do not know if any of my central defender could play on the left.
-- 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.
-- Gabi was an uncapped player. He deserved to be this team. I might have overrated Miguel Munoz, who was associated with Alfredo Di Stefano's Real Madrid and his coaching career. Instead, I took Ricardo Gallego and Juan Señor. Both of them played over 40 times for Spain. Koke might get a chance in my next review of the team.
-- Guti was loyal to the club, but he was used mainly as a bench player throughout his career. He was overshadowed by other great Galactico players during his time with the club. He also did not earn many international caps. I rated him similar to Manuel Velzaquez and Rafael Martin Vazquez, but I left him out. Jose Luis Caminero was also ahead of him. Luis Aragones is Atletico Madrid's all-time leading scorer. He was probably an attack midfielder too.
-- For wide players, I only selected Michel and Joaquin Peiro. Michel was voted ahead of his clubmate Emilio Butragueño in Real Madrid centennial poll. That said something about him. Joaquin Peiro starred for Atletico Madrid in the 1960's. He later played with La Grande Inter. Víctor Sánchez made honorable mention. He played for Real Madrid and Deportivo La Coruna. His professional career lasted roughly between 1996 and 2008. Please do get confuse him with another Víctor Sánchez who played for Barcelona and Espanyol around the same time.
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| Michel |
-- Raul is the club's second all-time top goalscorer with 323 goals and has the most appearances in the history of the club, with 741.
-- Alfonso Perez, Alvaro Morata and Álvaro Negredo did not have the same legendary status as the players I just mentioned.
Formation
I am unable to start Emilio Butragueño, but he is on par with Raul and Fernando Torres. I am happy to swap him either of them.
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