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| Raul and Iker Casillas |
This is my selection of a 25 member all-time team for Real Madrid's Spanish players only. The number 25 was chosen because it is the official squad size for the Champions' League.
Real Madrid
Real Madrid All-Time Team Under Florentina Perez
Real Madrid All-Time Team Under Miguel Munoz
Real Madrid Argentine Best XI
Real Madrid All-Time Team for Foreign Players
Real Madrid Castilla Greatest All-Time
Real Madrid Top Ten Greatest Goalkeepers
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 13 European Cups/Champions' league titles. They won a record 6 European Cups, and after the European Champions League became the Champions' League, they won 7 more, also a record for the competition.
The Team
GK: Ricardo Zamora
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
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
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.
RB: Chendo
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.
RB: Michel Salgado
Known as a hard player, Salgado started with Celta before moving to Real Madrid in 1999, where he stayed until 2009. In 2009, he joined Blackburn Rovers and played three seasons. Salgado earned 53 caps. He went to Euro 2000 and Germany 2006, but missed Euro 2004 and Japan/Korea 2002 due to injuries. He is married to Malula Sanz, daughter of former Real Madrid president Lorenzo Sanz.
CB/RB: Sergio Ramos
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.
CB: Fernando Hierro
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
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
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. Widely considered one of the first soccer idols in Spain. He played 25 times for Spain and went to the World Cup Finals in 1934.
LB: Jose Antonio Camacho
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 formed a proficient left-wing partnership with Rafael Gordillo. He won 19 titles with Real Madrid, including two back-to-back UEFA Cups: 1984–85, 1985–86.
LB/LW: Rafael Gordillo
Rafael Gordillo was known as the greatest left wingback in Spanish history. He played at the same time as Camacho for both club and country. Both players started on the left side. Camacho supported him defensively. He was a legend at both Real Betis and Real Madrid. He was voted the Best Player in Spain for 1979-1980 season. He played with the great Real Madrid side of the 1980's, winning an UEFA Cup.
CM: Miguel Munoz
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.
CM/DM: Jose Pirri
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 between 1963 and 1964.
CM: Josep Samitier
Josep Samitier played for Barcelona between 1919 and 1932. He is the club's all time third top goalscorer. He joined Real Madrid in 1932 and then, Nice in France. In 1920, Samitier was also a member of the first ever Spanish national squad. The squad won the silver medal at the 1920 Olympic Games. He subsequently made 21 appearances and scored 2 goals for Spain.
CM: Xabi Alonso
Xabi Alonso started with Real Sociedad. He joined Liverpool in 2004 winning the Champions' League trophy in his first season. In 2009, he moved to Real Madrid, winning the Champions' League again in 2014. In 2014, he joined Bayern Munich. He was a key member of the Spanish team that won the WC and two European Championships. His 114 caps make him the fifth most capped player in the nation's history.
RW/FW: Amancio Amaro
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.
RM: Michel
Michel was one of the best right wings 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 was a fixture for the Spanish 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 in Mexico with Celaya FC alongside Emilio Butragueño and Hugo Sanchez.
LW: Francisco Gento
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. No one has won more European Cups than Francisco Gento. In a 14-year international career, Gento earned 43 caps for Spain, playing at the World Cup in 1962 and 1966.
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 in the 1960's. He won six La Liga, three Copa del Rey trophies and the 1965–66 edition of the European Cup. At the international level, he was capped 10 times for Spain.
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.
FW: Pahino
Pahiño joined Celta de Vigo in 1943. In the 1947–48 campaign, his league-best 21 goals helped the team finish a best-ever fourth and reach the final of the Copa del Generalísimo. In the 1948, both Pahiño and Miguel Muñoz signed for Real Madrid. He won his second Pichichi at the end of 1951–52. However, he lost his importance in the squad following the arrival of Alfredo Di Stéfano, who later admitted his frustration of never having played alongside him. He was capped 3 times.
ST: Emilio Butragueño
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 played 69 times for Spain. He scored 4 goals against the great Danish side in 1986 quarter-final.
ST: Juanito
Juanito started with Atletico Madrid, but he never played for the senior team. Instead, he played for Burgos, where he won Don Balón Award – Best Spanish Player for the season 1976–77. from 1977 to 1987, he played for Real Madrid, winning five league titles, two Spanish Cups and two UEFA Cups. Juanito was capped 34 times. He represented Spain at the 1978 and 1982 World Cups, and at Euro 1980. He died in a road accident at the age of 37.
ST: Carlos Santillana
Carlos Santillana moved to Real Madrid from Racing de Santander in 1971 as a heir apparent to Puskus. He played 17 seasons and over 450 matches for Real Madrid. He won back-to-back UEFA Cup in the mid-1980's. At the international level, he had 56 caps and scored 15 goals for Spain. He represented his country in the 1978 and 1982 World Cups, as well as three European Championships: 1976, 1980 and 1984.
ST: Raul
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.
Squad Explanation
Formation
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 13 European Cups/Champions' league titles. They won a record 6 European Cups, and after the European Champions League became the Champions' League, they won 7 more, also a record for the competition.
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| Juanito and Cralos Santillana |
The Team
GK: Ricardo Zamora
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
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
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.
RB: Chendo
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.
RB: Michel Salgado
Known as a hard player, Salgado started with Celta before moving to Real Madrid in 1999, where he stayed until 2009. In 2009, he joined Blackburn Rovers and played three seasons. Salgado earned 53 caps. He went to Euro 2000 and Germany 2006, but missed Euro 2004 and Japan/Korea 2002 due to injuries. He is married to Malula Sanz, daughter of former Real Madrid president Lorenzo Sanz.
CB/RB: Sergio Ramos
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 |
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
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
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. Widely considered one of the first soccer idols in Spain. He played 25 times for Spain and went to the World Cup Finals in 1934.
LB: Jose Antonio Camacho
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 formed a proficient left-wing partnership with Rafael Gordillo. He won 19 titles with Real Madrid, including two back-to-back UEFA Cups: 1984–85, 1985–86.
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| Camacho |
Rafael Gordillo was known as the greatest left wingback in Spanish history. He played at the same time as Camacho for both club and country. Both players started on the left side. Camacho supported him defensively. He was a legend at both Real Betis and Real Madrid. He was voted the Best Player in Spain for 1979-1980 season. He played with the great Real Madrid side of the 1980's, winning an UEFA Cup.
CM: Miguel Munoz
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.
CM/DM: Jose Pirri
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 between 1963 and 1964.
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| Jose Pirri |
Josep Samitier played for Barcelona between 1919 and 1932. He is the club's all time third top goalscorer. He joined Real Madrid in 1932 and then, Nice in France. In 1920, Samitier was also a member of the first ever Spanish national squad. The squad won the silver medal at the 1920 Olympic Games. He subsequently made 21 appearances and scored 2 goals for Spain.
CM: Xabi Alonso
Xabi Alonso started with Real Sociedad. He joined Liverpool in 2004 winning the Champions' League trophy in his first season. In 2009, he moved to Real Madrid, winning the Champions' League again in 2014. In 2014, he joined Bayern Munich. He was a key member of the Spanish team that won the WC and two European Championships. His 114 caps make him the fifth most capped player in the nation's history.
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| Xabi Alonso |
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.
RM: Michel
Michel was one of the best right wings 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 was a fixture for the Spanish 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 in Mexico with Celaya FC alongside Emilio Butragueño and Hugo Sanchez.
LW: Francisco Gento
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. No one has won more European Cups than Francisco Gento. In a 14-year international career, Gento earned 43 caps for Spain, playing at the World Cup in 1962 and 1966.
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| Francisco Gento |
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 in the 1960's. He won six La Liga, three Copa del Rey trophies and the 1965–66 edition of the European Cup. At the international level, he was capped 10 times for Spain.
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.
FW: Pahino
Pahiño joined Celta de Vigo in 1943. In the 1947–48 campaign, his league-best 21 goals helped the team finish a best-ever fourth and reach the final of the Copa del Generalísimo. In the 1948, both Pahiño and Miguel Muñoz signed for Real Madrid. He won his second Pichichi at the end of 1951–52. However, he lost his importance in the squad following the arrival of Alfredo Di Stéfano, who later admitted his frustration of never having played alongside him. He was capped 3 times.
ST: Emilio Butragueño
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 played 69 times for Spain. He scored 4 goals against the great Danish side in 1986 quarter-final.
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| Emilio Butragueño |
Juanito started with Atletico Madrid, but he never played for the senior team. Instead, he played for Burgos, where he won Don Balón Award – Best Spanish Player for the season 1976–77. from 1977 to 1987, he played for Real Madrid, winning five league titles, two Spanish Cups and two UEFA Cups. Juanito was capped 34 times. He represented Spain at the 1978 and 1982 World Cups, and at Euro 1980. He died in a road accident at the age of 37.
ST: Carlos Santillana
Carlos Santillana moved to Real Madrid from Racing de Santander in 1971 as a heir apparent to Puskus. He played 17 seasons and over 450 matches for Real Madrid. He won back-to-back UEFA Cup in the mid-1980's. At the international level, he had 56 caps and scored 15 goals for Spain. He represented his country in the 1978 and 1982 World Cups, as well as three European Championships: 1976, 1980 and 1984.
ST: Raul
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 |
Honorable Mention
Marquitos, Alvaro Arbeloa, Dani Carvajal, Manuel Sanchis Martinez, Ramón Grosso, Jose Maria Zarraga, Ignacio Zoco, Juan Monjardín, Ricardo Gallego, Guti, Vicente del Bosque, Isco, Josep Samitier, Lucas Vázquez, Garcia Remon, Ivan Helguera, Miguel Angel, Luis Molowny, Fernando Morientes, Héctor Rial, Gregorio "Goyo" Benito, Juanito Alonso, Felix Quesada, Pedro de Felipe, José María Zárraga, Joaquín Navarro, Pachín, Rafael Lesmes, Marquitos, Nancho, Ramón Moreno Grosso, Isidoro San José, José Amavisca, Manuel Olivares
Marquitos, Alvaro Arbeloa, Dani Carvajal, Manuel Sanchis Martinez, Ramón Grosso, Jose Maria Zarraga, Ignacio Zoco, Juan Monjardín, Ricardo Gallego, Guti, Vicente del Bosque, Isco, Josep Samitier, Lucas Vázquez, Garcia Remon, Ivan Helguera, Miguel Angel, Luis Molowny, Fernando Morientes, Héctor Rial, Gregorio "Goyo" Benito, Juanito Alonso, Felix Quesada, Pedro de Felipe, José María Zárraga, Joaquín Navarro, Pachín, Rafael Lesmes, Marquitos, Nancho, Ramón Moreno Grosso, Isidoro San José, José Amavisca, Manuel Olivares
Squad Explanation
-- This team was created in 2019. I updated this team periodically, but I did a in depth review in July, 2022.
-- Alfredo Di Stéfano and Jose Maria Santamaria played for Spain. In fact, Spain chose Alfredo Di Stefano as their UEFA Jubilee Player. He actually played more times with Spain than Argentina while Santamaria only played 4 times more for Uruguay than Spain. However, I felt that they should be considered "foreigner". They were on my "foreign" team. Hector Rial on the other hand never played for Argentina. He was eligible for this team because he only played for Spain.
-- Iker Casillas, Ricardo Zamero, Raul, Francisco Gento, Sergio Ramos, Emilio Butragueño, Fernando Hierro, Jose Pirri and Amancio Amaro were automatic selections. No explanation is needed. Manuel Sanchis Hontiyuelo, Camacho, Francis Buyo, Jacinto Quincoces, Chendo and Miguel Munoz were also on my Real Madrid All-Time team.
-- Francisco Gento were the veteran on the team that won the 1966 European Cup title. The core of team consisted mainly of young Spanish players. The young players of the team were better known as the "Ye-Ye" team, as a reference to the Beatles' song "She Loves You". Amancio Amaro, Jose Pirri and Manuel Velázquez are on this all-time 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. The fifth member of this group was Miguel Pardeza who played mainly with Real Zaragoza.
Goalkeepers
-- All three of my goalkeepers were on my Real Madrid All-Time team. Juanito Alonso, Garcia Remon and Miguel Angel made honorable mention.
-- Iker Casillas and Ricardo Zamora were two of the greatest ever goalkeepers played the game.
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| Casillas and the 2015 Champions' League |
-- 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.
Defenders
-- For my all-time Real Madrid team, I only selected a single righback so that I could select more centerbacks, and Sergio Ramos would be the emergency rightback for that team. For this team, Ramos would be a centerback.
-- Most people considered Chendo as the best ever rightback for Real Madrid. He served for the club from 1982 to 1998. He was the undisputed starter for most of his time. However, he was a backup by the time of the 1998 Champions League winning campaign, where he retired after the Final. The second rightback position was between Michel Salgado, Alvaro Arbeloa and Dani Carvajal. One day, Carvajal will be named the greatest rightback even ahead of Chendo. At this point, he still needs to spend more time with the club. Salgado played 10 seasons here while Arbeloa only had 7 seasons(once as a seldom used backup).
-- Since Rafael Gordillo played as a winger in front of Camacho and Serfios ramos started off as a rightback, I had the option of selecting a third leftback while putting Gordillo as a left wing. So for this team, the biggest debate was between Manuel Sanchis Martinez and Michel Salgado. I did not doubt Sanchis' credentials to be on this team. He was a member of the all-Spanish "Ye Ye" team. However, when I compared his career with that of Michel Salgado. Salgado spent 10 seasons with the club, winning two Champions' League while Sanchis senior only lasted 6 seasons. Furthermore, I already have Camacho and Rafael Gordillo. Rafael Gordillo was a natural wingback, but used mainly as a left winger in Madrid. So I do not need a third leftback. Thus, I went with Salgado. Manuel Sanchis Martinez was the biggest name missing on this team.
-- For central defenders, Jacinto Quincoces, Manuel Sanchis Hontiyuelo, Sergio Ramos and Fernando Hierro easily occupied the top four spots. Ivan Helguera, Felix Quesada, Pedro de Felipe and Goyo Benito were lesser known than the players I just mentioned.
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| Fernando Hierro |
-- 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. He captained the team to win three straight titles. In my opinion, he is the greatest centre back in Real Madrid's history.
-- 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".
-- Jacinto Quincoces had historical roots tied to the beginning of the club.
Midfielders/Wingers
-- Both Jose Pirri and Xabi Alonso did not need explanation, but they were not pure defensive midfielders. Pirri was a box-to-box midfielder while Xabi Alonso was more of a deep lying playmaker. So I seriously considered Ignacio Zoco. However, Hierro also played as a defensive midfielder here. That position was covered.
-- 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.
-- Miguel Munoz was the captain of Real Madrid's first two European Cup winning sides in 1956 and 1957. He was also known as a famous coach here. That affected my judgement because his name had Madridista written all over it.
-- Josep Samitier was one of the first ever star players for Real Madrid, but despite helping Real Madrid to their first ever La Liga title, he was probably more famous for his career with Barcelona. His stint here was very short.
-- José María Zárraga should be on the team, but I took Xabi Alonso over him. Xabi Alonso was among the greatest ever Spanish midfielders.
-- Guti was loyal to the club, but he was used mainly as a bench player throughout his career. Rafael Martin Vazquez and Manuel Velázquez were ahead of him. Rafael Martin Vazquez won the Don Bravo Award in the 1989-1990 season. Manuel Velázquez won the European Cup in his first season and was an impact player in that run. Everyone thought that the signing of Gunter Netzer spelled the end of Manuel Velázquez in Madrid. He actually held onto the job. Isco was slowly moving up the pecking order, but in the 2022 review, I still thought Rafael Martin Vazquez and Manuel Velázquez should be ahead him.
-- José Amavisca won Don Balón Award in for the 1994-1995 season. He formed a lethal partnership with Ivan Zamorano over here. For this team, Francisco Gento and Rafael Gordillo were ahead of him. Francisco Gento is the only player in the history of football to have won the European Cup six times
-- For right wingers, Michel and Amancio Amaro convincingly took two of the spots.
-- The 25th spot was opened to all position. I was debating between Santiago Bernabeu, Pahino, Isco and Manuel Sanchis Senior(again). Bernabeu played 16 seasons for Real Madrid, but he had been honored in many ways for the club. I also do not know how good he was as a player. Isco was not always the starter in Madrid. I did not need a third leftback. So I did not consider Sanchis Sr. In the end, I took Pahino, who was a star player before the arrival of Alfredo Di Stefano.
Forwards
-- Most if not all Madridistas would easily select Emilio Butragueño and Raul. They represented what the club stood for.
-- Juanito was one of Real Madrid's most popular player ever. His premature death made him an immortal with the fans of the club. 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.
-- When Carlos Santillana joined Real Madrid, he was projected to be the new star player in a rebuilding team. I do not think the younger fans remembered him as well as other forwards. He was at one point held the club's highest appearance record. He is also the 5th all-time leading scorer behind Cristano Ronaldo, Raul, Karim Benzema and Alfredo Di Stefano.
-- When Carlos Santillana joined Real Madrid, he was projected to be the new star player in a rebuilding team. I do not think the younger fans remembered him as well as other forwards. He was at one point held the club's highest appearance record. He is also the 5th all-time leading scorer behind Cristano Ronaldo, Raul, Karim Benzema and Alfredo Di Stefano.
-- Real Madrid's vice president Antonio Calderon went to scout a defender for the team. He brought along Santiago Bernabéu who considered himself useless at judging defenders. At the game, Bernabeu was impressed by Carlos Santillana who was guarded by the very defender they were scouting that day. Real Madrid signed the young forward.
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| Carlos Santillana |
-- Hector Rial did not play for Argentina and was capped by Spain. Under FIFA rules, he would be considered to be a "Spanish" player. I selected him on my honourable mention. I have Raul, Emilio Butragueño, Carlos Santillana and Juanito ahead of him. However, There was something very nostalgic about Rial and Real Madrid.
-- Ramon Grosso was an assured defender, a magnificent midfielder and a lethal forward. He once even played in goal in the Carranza Trophy game against Boca Juniors. Manuel Olivares was the first Real Madrid player to win the Pichichi Trophy. They made honorable mentions.
Formation
Wonderful blog!! Bring's Back all those big players of football back in my memory
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