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| 2016 Champion's league |
Real Madrid All-Time Team Under Florentina Perez
Real Madrid All-Time Team Under Miguel Munoz
Real Madrid Argentine Best XI
Real Madrid Castilla Greatest All-Time
Real Madrid All-Time Team for Spanish Players
Real Madrid Top Ten Greatest Goalkeepers
Atletico Madrid, Sevilla, Atletic Bilbao,
Deportivo La Coruna Real Sociedad,
Real Betis, Real Zaragoza, Espanyol
This is my selection of a 25 member all-time team for Real Madrid. The number 25 was chosen because it is the official squad size for the Champions' League.
Real Madrid is the most successful club in soccer's history. They have won more titles in Europe than any other clubs. Led by President Santiago Bernabeu, the club began to dominate European football during the 1950's. They won five straight European Cup between 1956 and 1960. The team that beat Eintracht Frankfurt in 1960 was widely considered to be greatest club in history. At the time of writing, they won a record of 12 European Cups/Champions' league titles. They won a record 6 European Cups, and after the European Champions League became the Champions' League, they won 5 more, also a record for the competition.
The Team
GK: Ricardo Zamora (Spain)
The first ever star goalkeeper in history. He is also remembered for a spectacular last minute save he made in the 1936 Copa de España final while playing for Real Madrid against FC Barcelona. The award for the best goalkeeper in La Liga, the Ricardo Zamora Trophy, is named in his honour and he was voted one of the greatest players of the 20th century by World Soccer magazine. He was also Spain's most capped player for 45 years.
GK: Iker Casillas (Spain)
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: Franisco Buyo (Spain)
Franisco Buyo at the time of his retirement was the third highest keeper in La Liga appearance record. He spent over a decade with Real Madrid (1986-1997), winning 13 titles with them. Before Real Madrid, he played for Mallorca, Deportive La Coruna and Seville. He earned 7 caps for Spain between 1983 and 1992. He went to the European Championship of 1984 and 1988 as a backup.
CB/RB: Sergio Ramos (Spain)
Sergio Ramos is a part of the all-conquering Spanish team that won the 2010 World Cup and two European Championships in 2008 and 2012. He is the youngest player ever to receive his 100th caps. He joined Real Madrid as a teenager from Sevilla. He scored the tying goal as Real Madrid won their 10th European Cup in 2014. He also won his second Champions' League title by scoring a goal in the 2016 Final. In 2018, he won his fourth Champions League Cup with Real Madrid..
RB: Chendo (Spain)
Chendo was a product of Real Madrid academy. He played his entire career with Real Madrid. He won 17 major trophies with the club. 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 had 26 caps for Spain. He represented them at both World Cup Finals in 1986 and 1990.
CB: Jose Santamaria (Uruguay)
Jose Santamaria was a member of Real Madrid's all-conquering team of the late 1950's. He spent his 18-year career with Nacional and Real Madrid, winning 17 major titles the two teams combined, including four European Cups with the latter. He was considered one of the best ever center-backs. He played for Uruguay at the 1954 World Cup Finals, but played for Spain 4 years later in 1958.
CB/CM: Fernando Hierro (Spain)
Fernando Hierro is considered to be Spain's greatest defenders. At one point, he was Spain's all-time leading scorer even through he played as a defensive player. He was capped 90 times for Spain, whilst appearing in four World Cups: 1990, 1994, 1998 and 2002 and two European Championships: 1996 and 2000. For Real Madrid, he won three Champions' League titles and 5 La Liga titles. He also played for Real Valladolid, Bolton Wanderers and Al-Rayyan SC.
CB: Manuel Sanchis Hontiyuelo (Spain)
Manuel Sanchis Hontiyuelo is the son of Manuel Sanchez Martinez, another all-time great with Real Madrid. 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. For Spain, he was capped 48 times.
CB: Jacinto Quincoces (Spain)
Jacinto Quincoces was one of the greatest defenders of the pre-war era. He played for Deportivo Alavés from 1920 to 1931. From 1931 to 1942, he played for Real Madrid. He won the first ever title for Real Madrid in 1930. He was widely considered one of the first soccer idols in Spain. He played 25 times for Spain between 1928 and 1936. He made his international debut in 1928 against Mexico. He went to the World Cup Finals in 1934.
LB: Jose Antonio Camacho (Spain)
Jose Camacho is widely considered to be Spain's greatest leftback. 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.
LB: Roberto Carlos (Brazil)
Roberto Carlos was regarded one of the best leftbacks in history. He had 125 caps for Brazil playing in three World Cup Finals. He won 3 Champions League titles with Real Madrid and one World Cup title with Brazil in 2002. In 1997, he was runner-up in the World Player of the Year. He is especially famous for a free kick from 35m out against France in the Tournoi de France 1997. The goal is considered one of the greatest goals ever scored.
CM: Fernando Redondo (Argentina)
Fernando Redondo played his first game in the Primera División at only 16 for Argentinos Juniors, and remained five years with the team before moving abroad to CD Tenerife in Spain. He joined Real Madrid in 1994, where he would become one of the best central midfielders in Real Madrid's history. He won two Champions' League with them. For the national team, he only picked up 29 caps because he had issues with various managers.
DM: Jose Pirri (Spain)
Jose Pirri is regarded as one of Spain's greatest player. He had 41 caps in a career that lasted 12 years. He played in two World Cup Finals: 1966 and 1978. He played for Real Madrid for 15 years, between 1964 and 1979, winning ten Spanish league titles, four Spanish cups, and the 1966 European Cup. He was a member of the Real Madrid team that was known as the Yé-Yé team. He also played for Granada.
RW/FW: Amancio Amaro (Spain)
Nicknamed "El Brujo", Amancio Amaro played outside right for Deportivo de La Coruña before joining Real Madrid in 1962. He was considered the star of the team in the 1960's. He scored one of the most beautiful goal in European Cup history when Real Madrid lifted the title in 1966. He was capped 42 times. He won the 1964 European Football Championship.
AM/RW: Raymond Kopa (France)
Kopa was considered to be "Les Bleus"'s greatest player before the emerge of Michel Platini. In 1970, he became the first football player to receive the Légion d'honneur. He helped France to finish third at the WC Finals in 1958. He won the the European Footballer of the Year in 1958 and won three European Cups with Real Madrid in the 1950's. He also played with Stade de Reims before joining the legendary Real Madrid team of the 1950's. He won the 1953 Latin Cup with Reims.
LW: Francisco Gento (Spain)
Francisco Gento is regarded as one of the greatest left wings in history. Gento began his career at Racing Santander in 1952 and moved to Real Madrid the following season. He appeared in a joint record eight European Cup finals, winning a record six, as well as winning 12 La Liga titles. In a 14-year international career, Gento earned 43 caps for Spain, playing at the World Cup in 1962 and 1966.
AM: Zinedine Zidane (France)
Zinedine Zidane was named the best European footballer of the past 50 years in the UEFA Golden Jubilee Poll, and has been described as one of the greatest players in the history of the game. He won the FIFA World Player of the Year award three times. He led France to victory at the World Cup in 1998 and the European Championship in 2000. With Real Madrid, he also won the Champions League in 2002, where he scored one of the greatest goals in history at the Final.
CM: Luka Modric (Croatia)
Modric is one of the greatest playmakers of his generation. He earned more 90 caps for Croatia. He currently plays for Real Madrid and won the Champions' League for the 2013-2014, 2015-2016, 2016-2017 and 2017-2018 seasons. He also played with Dinamo Zagreb and Tottenham Hotspurs. He played in the World Cup Finals of 2006 and 2014, as well as the European Championship of 2008, 2012 and 2016.
Barcelona, Valencia, Villarreal
Atletico Madrid, Sevilla, Atletic Bilbao,
Deportivo La Coruna Real Sociedad,
Real Betis, Real Zaragoza, Espanyol
Real Madrid is the most successful club in soccer's history. They have won more titles in Europe than any other clubs. Led by President Santiago Bernabeu, the club began to dominate European football during the 1950's. They won five straight European Cup between 1956 and 1960. The team that beat Eintracht Frankfurt in 1960 was widely considered to be greatest club in history. At the time of writing, they won a record of 12 European Cups/Champions' league titles. They won a record 6 European Cups, and after the European Champions League became the Champions' League, they won 5 more, also a record for the competition.
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| 2002 Champions' League |
GK: Ricardo Zamora (Spain)
The first ever star goalkeeper in history. He is also remembered for a spectacular last minute save he made in the 1936 Copa de España final while playing for Real Madrid against FC Barcelona. The award for the best goalkeeper in La Liga, the Ricardo Zamora Trophy, is named in his honour and he was voted one of the greatest players of the 20th century by World Soccer magazine. He was also Spain's most capped player for 45 years.
GK: Iker Casillas (Spain)
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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| Casillas and the 2015 Champions' League |
Franisco Buyo at the time of his retirement was the third highest keeper in La Liga appearance record. He spent over a decade with Real Madrid (1986-1997), winning 13 titles with them. Before Real Madrid, he played for Mallorca, Deportive La Coruna and Seville. He earned 7 caps for Spain between 1983 and 1992. He went to the European Championship of 1984 and 1988 as a backup.
CB/RB: Sergio Ramos (Spain)
Sergio Ramos is a part of the all-conquering Spanish team that won the 2010 World Cup and two European Championships in 2008 and 2012. He is the youngest player ever to receive his 100th caps. He joined Real Madrid as a teenager from Sevilla. He scored the tying goal as Real Madrid won their 10th European Cup in 2014. He also won his second Champions' League title by scoring a goal in the 2016 Final. In 2018, he won his fourth Champions League Cup with Real Madrid..
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| Sergio Ramos |
Chendo was a product of Real Madrid academy. He played his entire career with Real Madrid. He won 17 major trophies with the club. 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 had 26 caps for Spain. He represented them at both World Cup Finals in 1986 and 1990.
CB: Jose Santamaria (Uruguay)
Jose Santamaria was a member of Real Madrid's all-conquering team of the late 1950's. He spent his 18-year career with Nacional and Real Madrid, winning 17 major titles the two teams combined, including four European Cups with the latter. He was considered one of the best ever center-backs. He played for Uruguay at the 1954 World Cup Finals, but played for Spain 4 years later in 1958.
CB/CM: Fernando Hierro (Spain)
Fernando Hierro is considered to be Spain's greatest defenders. At one point, he was Spain's all-time leading scorer even through he played as a defensive player. He was capped 90 times for Spain, whilst appearing in four World Cups: 1990, 1994, 1998 and 2002 and two European Championships: 1996 and 2000. For Real Madrid, he won three Champions' League titles and 5 La Liga titles. He also played for Real Valladolid, Bolton Wanderers and Al-Rayyan SC.
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| Fernando Hierro |
Manuel Sanchis Hontiyuelo is the son of Manuel Sanchez Martinez, another all-time great with Real Madrid. 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. For Spain, he was capped 48 times.
CB: Jacinto Quincoces (Spain)
Jacinto Quincoces was one of the greatest defenders of the pre-war era. He played for Deportivo Alavés from 1920 to 1931. From 1931 to 1942, he played for Real Madrid. He won the first ever title for Real Madrid in 1930. He was widely considered one of the first soccer idols in Spain. He played 25 times for Spain between 1928 and 1936. He made his international debut in 1928 against Mexico. He went to the World Cup Finals in 1934.
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| Jacintio Quincoces |
Jose Camacho is widely considered to be Spain's greatest leftback. 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.
LB: Roberto Carlos (Brazil)
Roberto Carlos was regarded one of the best leftbacks in history. He had 125 caps for Brazil playing in three World Cup Finals. He won 3 Champions League titles with Real Madrid and one World Cup title with Brazil in 2002. In 1997, he was runner-up in the World Player of the Year. He is especially famous for a free kick from 35m out against France in the Tournoi de France 1997. The goal is considered one of the greatest goals ever scored.
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| Roberto Carlos |
Fernando Redondo played his first game in the Primera División at only 16 for Argentinos Juniors, and remained five years with the team before moving abroad to CD Tenerife in Spain. He joined Real Madrid in 1994, where he would become one of the best central midfielders in Real Madrid's history. He won two Champions' League with them. For the national team, he only picked up 29 caps because he had issues with various managers.
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| Fernando Redondo |
Jose Pirri is regarded as one of Spain's greatest player. He had 41 caps in a career that lasted 12 years. He played in two World Cup Finals: 1966 and 1978. He played for Real Madrid for 15 years, between 1964 and 1979, winning ten Spanish league titles, four Spanish cups, and the 1966 European Cup. He was a member of the Real Madrid team that was known as the Yé-Yé team. He also played for Granada.
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| Jose Pirri |
Nicknamed "El Brujo", Amancio Amaro played outside right for Deportivo de La Coruña before joining Real Madrid in 1962. He was considered the star of the team in the 1960's. He scored one of the most beautiful goal in European Cup history when Real Madrid lifted the title in 1966. He was capped 42 times. He won the 1964 European Football Championship.
AM/RW: Raymond Kopa (France)
Kopa was considered to be "Les Bleus"'s greatest player before the emerge of Michel Platini. In 1970, he became the first football player to receive the Légion d'honneur. He helped France to finish third at the WC Finals in 1958. He won the the European Footballer of the Year in 1958 and won three European Cups with Real Madrid in the 1950's. He also played with Stade de Reims before joining the legendary Real Madrid team of the 1950's. He won the 1953 Latin Cup with Reims.
LW: Francisco Gento (Spain)
Francisco Gento is regarded as one of the greatest left wings in history. Gento began his career at Racing Santander in 1952 and moved to Real Madrid the following season. He appeared in a joint record eight European Cup finals, winning a record six, as well as winning 12 La Liga titles. In a 14-year international career, Gento earned 43 caps for Spain, playing at the World Cup in 1962 and 1966.
AM: Zinedine Zidane (France)
Zinedine Zidane was named the best European footballer of the past 50 years in the UEFA Golden Jubilee Poll, and has been described as one of the greatest players in the history of the game. He won the FIFA World Player of the Year award three times. He led France to victory at the World Cup in 1998 and the European Championship in 2000. With Real Madrid, he also won the Champions League in 2002, where he scored one of the greatest goals in history at the Final.
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| Zinedine Zidane |
Modric is one of the greatest playmakers of his generation. He earned more 90 caps for Croatia. He currently plays for Real Madrid and won the Champions' League for the 2013-2014, 2015-2016, 2016-2017 and 2017-2018 seasons. He also played with Dinamo Zagreb and Tottenham Hotspurs. He played in the World Cup Finals of 2006 and 2014, as well as the European Championship of 2008, 2012 and 2016.
CM/AM/FW: Alfredo Di Stefano (Argentina)
Alfredo Di Stefano is the best player in the world before the emerge of Pele and Diego Maradona. He was one of the younger members of the great River Plate in the 1940's. In 1949, he moved to play in Colombia before moving to Europe in 1953. He won 5 straight European Cups with Real Madrid. He was credited in turning Real Madrid into a legendary club. His international career was limited to the fact that Argentina did not select overseas players. He also played for Argentina, Colombia and Spain. He went to the 1962 World Cup Finals, but was injured.
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 back-to-back 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. He also played in the 1990 World Cup Finals.
Alfredo Di Stefano is the best player in the world before the emerge of Pele and Diego Maradona. He was one of the younger members of the great River Plate in the 1940's. In 1949, he moved to play in Colombia before moving to Europe in 1953. He won 5 straight European Cups with Real Madrid. He was credited in turning Real Madrid into a legendary club. His international career was limited to the fact that Argentina did not select overseas players. He also played for Argentina, Colombia and Spain. He went to the 1962 World Cup Finals, but was injured.
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| Alfredo Di Stefano |
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 back-to-back 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. He also played in the 1990 World Cup Finals.
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| Emilio Butragueño |
ST: Karim Benzema (France)
Karim Benzema made his name with Lyon. In 2009, he moved to Real Madrid where he won 5 Champions League. Over there,
he formed the BBC line with Ronaldo and Gareth Bale. In 2022, he was
Real Madrid best players as they won the Champions' League and la Liga
Double. He won the Ballon D'or in 2022. For the national team, he played
in the 2014 World Cup Finals as well as Euro 2020. He had 81 caps since 2007.
ST/FW: Ferenc Puskas (Hungary)
Ferenc Puskas was one of the greatest footballers in history. He scored 84 goals in 85 international matches for Hungary, a team known as Mighty Magyars. He became Olympic champion in 1952 and led his nation to the final of the 1954 World Cup where he was named the tournament's best player. He played with Honved at home and went to Real Madrid in 1958 after the Soviet invasion. With Alfredo Di Stefano, Raymond Kapo, etc, Real Maadrid became the greatest club team in history.
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 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 scored a then-record 44 goals in 102 appearances, appearing in three FIFA World Cups and two European championships. He was their captaincy between 2002 and 2006.
ST: Hugo Sanchez (Mexico)
Hugo Sanchez was considered to be the best Mexican player of all-time. He is remembered for his career in Spain where he played for both Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid. He won 5 straight Pichichi title in Spain. With Real Madrid, he won five consecutive league titles (from 1985-86 to 1989-90), the Copa del Rey in 1989, and the UEFA Cup in 1986. The team was the dominant team in Spain during the 1980's.
FW/LW: Cristano Ronaldo (Portugal)
Ronaldo is one of the greatest forward of his generation. He is the most expensive players in history from 2009-2013 when he moved from Manchester United to Real Madrid. At the time of writing, he won the Ballon d'Or winner three times and won Champions' League titles with both Manchester United and Real Madrid. In 2016, he helped Portugal to win the European Championship, a month after winning the Champions' League with Real Madrid. In 2018, he joined Juventus after playing the 2018 World Cup Finals.
Honorable Mention
Juan Alonso (Spain), Garcia Ramon (Spain), Miguel Angel (Spain), Luis Molowny (Spain), Marquitos (Spain), Michel Salgado (Spain), Pepe (Brazil/Portugal), Rafael Gordillo (Spain), Manuel Velázquez (Spain), Xabi Alonso (Spain), Manuel Sanchis Martinez (Spain), Gunter Netzer (Germany), Ronaldo (Brazil), Rafael Gordillo (Spain), Ramón Grosso (Spain), Paul Breitner (Germany), Ulrich Stielike (Germany), Pahino (Spain), Rene Petit (France), Jose Maria Zarraga (Spain), Ignacio Zoco (Spain), Josep Samitier (Spain), Guti (Spain), Michel (Spain), Vicente del Bosque (Spain), Michael Laudrup (Denmark), Luis Figo (Portugal), Juanito (Spain), Marcelo (Brazil), Ivan Zamorano (Chile), Carlos Santillana (Spain), Dani Carvajal (Spain) Toni Kroos (Germany), Gregorio "Goyo" Benito (Spain), Casemiro (Brazil), Miguel Munoz (Spain).
Ferenc Puskas was one of the greatest footballers in history. He scored 84 goals in 85 international matches for Hungary, a team known as Mighty Magyars. He became Olympic champion in 1952 and led his nation to the final of the 1954 World Cup where he was named the tournament's best player. He played with Honved at home and went to Real Madrid in 1958 after the Soviet invasion. With Alfredo Di Stefano, Raymond Kapo, etc, Real Maadrid became the greatest club team in history.
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| Di Stefano and Puskas |
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 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 scored a then-record 44 goals in 102 appearances, appearing in three FIFA World Cups and two European championships. He was their captaincy between 2002 and 2006.
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| Raul |
Hugo Sanchez was considered to be the best Mexican player of all-time. He is remembered for his career in Spain where he played for both Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid. He won 5 straight Pichichi title in Spain. With Real Madrid, he won five consecutive league titles (from 1985-86 to 1989-90), the Copa del Rey in 1989, and the UEFA Cup in 1986. The team was the dominant team in Spain during the 1980's.
FW/LW: Cristano Ronaldo (Portugal)
Ronaldo is one of the greatest forward of his generation. He is the most expensive players in history from 2009-2013 when he moved from Manchester United to Real Madrid. At the time of writing, he won the Ballon d'Or winner three times and won Champions' League titles with both Manchester United and Real Madrid. In 2016, he helped Portugal to win the European Championship, a month after winning the Champions' League with Real Madrid. In 2018, he joined Juventus after playing the 2018 World Cup Finals.
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| Cristano Ronaldo |
Juan Alonso (Spain), Garcia Ramon (Spain), Miguel Angel (Spain), Luis Molowny (Spain), Marquitos (Spain), Michel Salgado (Spain), Pepe (Brazil/Portugal), Rafael Gordillo (Spain), Manuel Velázquez (Spain), Xabi Alonso (Spain), Manuel Sanchis Martinez (Spain), Gunter Netzer (Germany), Ronaldo (Brazil), Rafael Gordillo (Spain), Ramón Grosso (Spain), Paul Breitner (Germany), Ulrich Stielike (Germany), Pahino (Spain), Rene Petit (France), Jose Maria Zarraga (Spain), Ignacio Zoco (Spain), Josep Samitier (Spain), Guti (Spain), Michel (Spain), Vicente del Bosque (Spain), Michael Laudrup (Denmark), Luis Figo (Portugal), Juanito (Spain), Marcelo (Brazil), Ivan Zamorano (Chile), Carlos Santillana (Spain), Dani Carvajal (Spain) Toni Kroos (Germany), Gregorio "Goyo" Benito (Spain), Casemiro (Brazil), Miguel Munoz (Spain).
Squad Explanation
-- This all-time team was created in 2016. I did a review of the team in June, 2022 shortly after Real Madrid winning the 2022 Champions' League.
-- This all-time team was created in 2016. I did a review of the team in June, 2022 shortly after Real Madrid winning the 2022 Champions' League.
-- Real Madrid won 14 European Cup/Champions' League titles at the time of writing. Most players selected won at least one title. Hugo Sanchez, Emilio Butragueño and Camacho won back-to-back UEFA Cups in the 1980's. Jacinto Quincoces and Ricardo Zamora played before the birth of European club football. Franisco Buyo was the only player here who did not win anything in Europe.
-- Alfredo Di Stefano, Cristano Ronaldo, Emilio Butragueño, Sergio Ramos, Raul and Fenec Puskas were the greatest ever players for the club. Francisco Gento, Iker Casillas, Roberto Carlos and Fernando Hierro were close enough to be automatic selections. Some fans might included Zinedine Zidane, Fernando Redondo, Ricardio Zamora, Luka Modric and Jose Pirri. So I started the team with 15 players selected.
-- The Galactico I era brought glamour to the club. However, Zinedine Zidane was the only Galactico selected. While Iker Casillas, Roberto Carlos and Raul were considered to be Galacticos, they were with the club before Florentino Pérez was elected to be the President of the club.
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| The Galacticos I |
-- The Yé-yé team was underrepresented. Amancio Amaro and Pirri were the only player selected. Francisco Gento and José Santamaría played with the 1966 European Cup winning team, but they were not considered from that generation.
-- The name "La Quinta del Buitre" was derived from Emilio Butragueño's nickname El Buitre. The other four members were Manuel Sanchís Jr, Rafael Martín Vázquez, Míchel and Miguel Pardeza. All five players were graduates of Real Madrid's youth academy, La Fábrica. Only Manuel Sanchís Jr and Emilio Butragueño made this team, but Camacho, Chendo and Hugo Sanchez played with this group of players in the 1980's. The 1980's generation dominated La Liga and won two UEFA Cups. However, they failed to win the European Cup, in which was very important for the club, but at this moment, it
-- The generation between 2014 and 2022 won 5 Champions' League in under a decade. Cristano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, Luka Modric and Sergio Ramos were selected. Many other players deserved honorable mentions.
Goalkeepers
-- Iker Casillas definitely suppressed Ricardo Zamora as Real Madrid's greatest ever goalkeepers. A big part of Zamora's greatness came during his stint with Barcelona. For Real Madrid, Iker Casillas was more iconic. He won three Champions' League with Real Madrid. Nevertheless, both Ricardo Zamora and Iker Casillas are considered among the greatest keepers ever played in history. Both were undisputed here.
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| Ricardo Zamora |
-- The third goalkeeper was tough to decide. Francisco Buyo, Garcia Ramon and Miguel Angel were almost the same. Francisco Buyo was undisputed starter for a longer time. I took him as my third goalkeeper basically for his services.
-- Garcia Ramon had a rivalry with Miguel Angel for their duration of their careers in Madrid, and Miguel Angel spent 18 years with the club while Remon lasted 15 years. Juan Alonso was also well-respected here. I took Buyo because he had a longer career although Juan Alonso had won more important titles.
-- Thibaut Courtois had won the 2022 Champions' League, where his individual performance contributed to the victory in the Final against Liverpool. At the time of writing, he already spent 4 seasons in Madrid. He has played more games here than in Chelsea and Atletico Madrid. Internationally, his reputation was better than Francisco Buyo, Garcia Ramon and Miguel Angel. So he deserved an honorable mention. Keylor Navas was also a serious consideration.
-- I created the Top 10 Greatest goalkeepers for Real Madrid.
Defenders
-- Manuel Sanchis Jr was third in appearance for the club. As a son of a Real madrid great, he was of Royal blond. He was a home grown player who played his entire career with the club. He was also a connection between La Quinta del Buitre and Raul's Real Madrid. He was the ultimate "Madridista".
-- Fernando Hierro scored over 100 goals for the club, but he often played as a central midfielder. He was well decorated with three Champions' League trophies to his credit. Jacinto Quincoces had historical roots tied to the beginning of the club. Jose Santamaria was probably Real Madrid's greatest ever defender. They were my four central defenders.
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| Jose Santamaria |
-- Pepe does not appear in many Real Madrid all-time list, but his performance and his long service to club earned him a place in the honorable mention. However, it would be hard for him to break into the all-time team. Jacinto Quincoces, Manuel Sanchis Jr, Fernando Hierro and Jose Santamaria were legendary players for the club. Fabio Cannavaro was awarded the Ballon D'or while he was playing here, but he did it for his performance at the 2006 World Cup Finals.
-- Sergio Ramos was a connection between the Galacticos and the 2014 to 2018 team that won four Champions' League titles. He had scored plenty of important goals for the club. In 2014, he saved Real Madrid at the brink of defeat against Atletico Madrid by scoring a last minute goal. Then, he captained the team to win three straight titles. In my opinion, he is the greatest centre back in Real Madrid's history. I prefer to select him as a centre back, but spaces were limited in that position. So I took him as my backup rightback so that I could keep Manuel Sanchis Jr on the team.
-- Dani Carvajal had won six Champions' League titles as a key player. He was also from Castilla. He would become a part of the team in the future. At the time of writing, I put him behind Chendo. Marquitos and Michel Salgado were the other rightbacks seriously considered. Sergio Ramos was probably behind the other notable players for this rightback position.
-- Marcelo is the longest serving foreign player and the most decorated player with 25 major trophies in the club's history. He has won four Champions' League as a key player and one more with a reduced role (but as their captain). He deserved to be on the team. However, I still kept the two old-timers, Roberto Carlos and Jose Camacho. Roberto Carlos was considered one of the best ever leftback in history. He was the only player in history of all positions where he could single-handedly an entire side of the field. In his prime, he was rated as good as Paolo Maldini who is arguably the greatest leftback in history. Both Marcelo and Camacho spent 15 seasons in Madrid. Marcelo won more trophies, but Camacho's career was not bad. Upon further review, I kept Camacho. I considered him as a forefather of the position in Madrid. Marcelo's time with Brazil was not rated highly. It was difficult for Marcelo to beat out Camacho who was the greatest leftback from Spain. Rafael Gordillo and Manuel Sanchís Martínez were also considered. Rafael Gordillo was often deployed as a left winger in front of Camacho.
Midfielders/Wingers
-- The original team created in 2016 did not include Luka Modric. I added him following his 4th Champions' League titles in 2018. He was one of the main reasons why Real Madrid was so successful in his era. In 2018, I dropped Carlos Santillana for Modric. Unfortunately for Santillana, Real Madrid has plenty of strikers on this team. This team only had two offensive midfielders, Raymond Kopa and Zinedine Zidane.
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| Luka Modric |
-- For central midfielders, Pirri and Fernando Redondo were obvious choices. On my original team, I also selected Miguel Munoz while Fernando Hierro also played many games as a defensive midfielder. Luka Modric's defensive side of the game was underrated. He operated almost liked a box-to-box midfielders. So he could be an attack midfielder or a central midfielder. Alfredo Di Stefano could also drop back to this position. Suddenly, Miguel Munoz became expandable (see below I dropped him for Benzema). He was the sixth central midfielder on the team.
-- Raymond Kopa's status had been under review. He won plenty of trophies here, but that was because he was playing with Alfredo Di Stefano and Puskus. After the selection of Luka Modric, I did not need a third attack midfielder. Modric has won more European Cups than Raymond Kopa. He also spent a longer career here than him. His role was probably greater in Madrid than Kopa on the 1950's team. In 2016, Kopa was more famous because he was a Ballon d'or winner in 1958, in which Modric equalled that in 2018. In the end, I kept him while dropping Miguel Munoz.
-- No other midfield in European history could match the trio of Luka Modric, Toni Kroos and Casemiro’s achievement of winning four Champions' League as an unit. Both Kroos and Casemiro were considered. Xabi Alonso also made honorable mentions.
-- Zinedine Zidane won the 2002 Champions' League, scoring a beautiful goal in the Final. However, I do not think that his career was that glorious here. Nevertheless, I still selected him. His reputation as one of the greatest footballers ever played the game helped his cause.
-- Josep Samitier spent most of his career playing for Barcelona FC. The other players were more important.
-- Didi was not successful with the club and he was never considered. His personal feud with Alfredo Di Stefano was well-known.
-- Gunter Netzer played in a period, relatively quiet for Real Madrid. The team actually dominated Cruyff's Barcelona, but he did not win any European trophy. The same applied to his teammate Paul Breitner. Another German Uli Stielike also deserved a spot on honorable mention. Toni Kroos is also making a lot of waves. Bernad Schuster also played here. Those German midfielders only made honorable mention.
-- Gunter Netzer played in a period, relatively quiet for Real Madrid. The team actually dominated Cruyff's Barcelona, but he did not win any European trophy. The same applied to his teammate Paul Breitner. Another German Uli Stielike also deserved a spot on honorable mention. Toni Kroos is also making a lot of waves. Bernad Schuster also played here. Those German midfielders only made honorable mention.
-- Amancio Amaro's goal won the 1966 European Cup. He was the hero of 1966. I took him ahead of Luis Figo, Michael Laudrup and Michel. He was a representative of that era. On the left, Francisco Gento was one of the easiest choices. He won six European Cup, a record.
-- Luis Figo achieved as much as Zidane in terms of trophies. And I also did not have a natural right wing on the team. Taking him would be the logic choice, but Raymond Kopa played on the right with Real Madrid. Amancio Amaro was also on the right side. So I kept Figo on honorable mention.
Forward
-- Karim Benzema's reputation changed after the departure of Cristano Ronaldo. He is now the all-time second top scorer for Real Madrid. He also carried the team to their 14th European Cup/CL titles as well as winning the League on the same year. His individual performance in the 2021-2022 season spoke for itself. He won the Ballon D'or. In 2021, I dropped Miguel Munoz ( also see above). He was the captain for the first ever European Cup, but this team already had five other players who could play as central midfielders. His playing career was less glamorous as Raymond Kopa whom I also considered dropping.
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| Karim Benzema |
-- Miguel Munoz was the captain of Real Madrid's first two European Cup winning sides in 1956 and 1957. He became the coach of the side in 1959. He won two more European Cup as Real Madrid's coach. He played for CD Logroñés, Racing de Santander and Celta de Vigo before joining Real Madrid in 1948. He was capped 7 times by Spain.
-- Both Raul and Emilio Butragueño came from their La Fábrica. They were as Madridistas as they got. Raul spent 16 years of his career playing for Real Madrid and is the club's third all-time top goalscorer with 323 goals and has the most appearances in the history of the club, with 741. With Los Blancos, he won six La Liga titles and three Champions League titles. A generation of ome grown hplayers was named "La Quinta del Buitre" because of Butragueño. It was unthinkable and unacceptable not to select Raul or Butragueño.
-- It was difficult to drop Carlos Santillana. He was getting to be a forgotten man. He won back-to-back UEFA Cups in the 1980's, but he was not a member of La Quinta del Buitre, which was often credited to the successes of the club in the 1980's. He at one point held the club's highest appearance record. He is also the 5th all-time leading scorer behind Cristano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, Raul and Alfredo Di Stefano.
-- Juanito (Spain) was a fan favorite. Real Madrid was known for its "comebacks"during his time at the club and the phrase "the spirit of Juanito" was conned. The seventh minute of every Real Madrid match at the Santiago Bernabéu is always dedicated to him when the fans made a chant about him.
-- Ronaldo (Brazil) did not win much here. He had one good season here. I only gave him a spot on the honourable mention. Hugo Sanchez scored more goals for the club. He also won more trophies. He won 5 Pichichi Trophy and four of them were with Real Madrid. Carlos Santillana was ahead of Ronaldo in my all-time team.
-- Hugo Sanchez won four Pichichi Trophies for Real Madrid. He also won another one with Atletico Madrid).
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| Hugo Sanchez |
Formation
-- Sergio Ramos is a better centerback than rightback, but he won't start ahead of Hierro or Santamaria. So I put him at rightback.
-- Raul is not a centre forward so I put him on the right side as a secondary striker or forward. This was the only way where I can play both Raul and Cristano Ronaldo.
Modric (4) and Kroos (3) won several Champions League Titel, besides other titles. One of them should replaces Redondo.
ReplyDeleteI think modric and zidane are must haves. Hierro can easily act as a defensive midfielder as well. Di stefano also possesses a defensive role. Redondo is a perfect box to box but it's too sad there is no room for him.
DeleteIt's unfair leave Gento outside.
ReplyDeleteI would remove Redondo to put Gento and move Ronaldo forward
I dont agree.casillas,chendo,Ramos,hierro,Roberto Carlos,pirri,modric,di stefano,gento,c.ronaldo,puskas.perfect Real Madrid dreamteam.
ReplyDeleteRedondo,Raúl,santamaría.jajajajaja it is a joke?iker casillas,chendo,Ramos,hierro,r.carlos,pirri,modric,di stefano,Francisco gento,cristiano Ronaldo,puskas.you must learn much more about football,you hace no idea...your work is full of incoherences or mistakes.stlill learning.
ReplyDeleteI am portuguese...gento won 11 or 12 leagues,6 euro cups and you prefer Raúl?jajajajajajaja Raúl is overrated...17/18 seasons to score ridiculous 323 goals and cr7 9 seasons 450 goals.are you blind or something?I hate your work.
ReplyDeleteMore...Raúl was a forward,really?17 years...maybe 18 goals each year,media(I dont know this word in english,sorry.)is ridiculous.raul means nothing to me.
ReplyDeleteKopa play just a few years here, is definitly a Rennes legend, but not a Madrid one. Figo should replace him. Quincoces is very solid in defense, but, like all defenders of this time, is a player that probabily never cross the middlefield (something very weird in modern game). I would Probabily pick Carvajal and move Ramos to CB. I think Zarraga give more options in midfield then Miguel Muñoz. He is a more defensive player, and Muñoz probabily just offer the same Redondo did, and Redondo is better then him (But he can be kept as a manager of this dream team). Sanchez and Butrgueno out just because there are too many forwards. Replace him for Guti, maybe (he is good, not just as good as we think he can reach) and Kroos. Finally, i prefer to use just 2 GKs, so, Buyo out to Marcelo
ReplyDeleteCasillas
ReplyDeleteRamos Santamaria Quincoces R.Carlos
Redondo
Kopa Di-Stéfano
Puskas Benzema C.Ronaldo
Di Stéfano said that when Kopa joined, they practically never lost a match. At the time of writing, Benzema has 354 goals and 165 assists from 648 games for Madrid. With cannons like Puskas and CR7, its important to have feeders.