El Clasico: Real Madrid's All-Time XI

November 30, 2016 04:16

1/12 Real Madrid fans are renowned for their high expectations so only the best of the best feature in the club's all-time greatest XI.
2/12 Iker Casillas (GK): While his powers may have waned towards the end of his time at the Bernabeu, San Iker will go down in Real Madrid folklore for too many heroic saves to count between 1999 and 2015. Getty
3/12 'Chendo' (RB): One-club man Miguel Porlán's medal collection says it all: seven LaLigas, a European Cup and whole lot more. Reuters
4/12 Fernando Hierro (CB): The tough-tackling Andalusian was a stalwart at the back for Los Blancos, winning three Champions League and five LaLiga titles during his time with the club. Reuters
5/12 Sergio Ramos (CB): His penchant for picking up red cards aside, the club’s current captain is one of the most reliable players in the world and has a habit of turning up for the big occasions, a lá the 2013-14 Champions League final. Getty
6/12 Roberto Carlos (LB): The tree-trunk thighed Brazilian redefined his position, combining his formidable strength and speed to devastating effect in attack and defense. During his 11 years at the club he won 4 LaLiga and 3 UCL titles. Getty
7/12 Paco Gento (MF): An oldie but a goodie. The Spanish speed demon’s record of being the only player to have lifted 12 LaLiga titles and 6 European Cups is unlikely to ever be beaten. Getty
8/12 Alfredo Di Stéfano (MF): Long before Cristiano Ronaldo there was the Blond Arrow. Di Stéfano was the driving force behind Madrid’s European dominance during the 1950s and is hailed by many as the most important player in the club’s history. Reuters
9/12 Zinedine Zidane (MF): Five years was sufficient time for the Marseille Magician to etch his name on the pantheon of Madrid greats. His left-footed curling volley past Oliver Kahn in 2002 is perhaps the most replayed goal in Real Madrid history. Getty
10/12 Hugo Sánchez (F): The Mexican hitman was the linchpin of the Merengue attack during the 1980s and finished as LaLiga’s top goalscorer on four consecutive seasons. Getty
11/12 Cristiano Ronaldo (F): 376 goals and counting. The Portuguese gunslinger has broken too many records to count since moving to the Spanish capital from Manchester United. A true legend. Getty
12/12 Raúl (F): The embodiment of ‘madridismo’, the Madrid native is still idolized by the Bernabeu faithful, many of whom want to see him take over the reins from Zidane one day. Getty