Forza Futbol

The last ten years have seen the Los Blancos at it's highest and lowest points. The club has been at the top of it's game in such a way that their biggest rivals (on the local and Continental stage) are envious. Real's dominance was so powerful that it inspired teams such as Barcelona (to go back to the drawing board). But who were the players that took Madrid to the top and survived the black days? Who were the best of the bunch? Who are those who would play come rain or shine? Whenever these players took to the field in the past 10 years, Madridistas were always happy to see them. I did a little survey amongst some Madridistas and supporters of rival teams and here is my best eleven of the decade.

Iker Casillas Fernandez (GK): St. Iker was the easiest choice to make, he has been the number 1 goalie since the 98-99 season to date (although he lost it briefly to Cesar Sanchez in 2000). Iker's claim to fame is not his performances when Los Blancos where on top of their game, it has been his performances during their darkest years that has taken him into legendary status. How many goalies have suffered 6-1, 5-1, 5-0 loses and can hardly be blamed for such scores? Instead they are praised for their performances that prevented the score line from being even worse. That's the Iker effect for you. A Master of one on one saves and making impossible saves almost every week. How many goalies do you know that are Saints?

Michel Salgado (RB): Who can forget the blond long haired guy, running on the right side of the field like a wild man. A strong tackler and swift in launching counters and running at opposing defenders. His dominance on the right side of defense was unquestionable until old age started catching up with him and Ramos was moved to the right back position. He is still going strong at Blackburn though not as crisp as before. His dynamics and style is still missed in the current Madrid cause. We are yet to see a RB as dominating as he was.

Ivan Helguera Bujia(CD): One man whose rise up the ladder was so against the odds. A utility man whose partnership with another member of the team was purely magic. He was fantastic in the air and great in one on one tackles. Helguera was a threat in defense and attack (esp. from set pieces). He also had an eye for a long neat pass from time to time.

Fernando Ruiz Hierro (CD): Without any doubt one of the greatest players to ever put on the White Jersey for Los Merengues. A player who love or hate Real, you couldn't afford not to admire. A world class Leader on and off the pitch. His leadership qualities were greatly missed after the Management thought it wise to kick him off the team. A central defender (who also played in the midfield similar to Helguera), he was very deadly from direct free kicks and a threat from every set piece. How many central defenders were leading scorers for their national teams when they retired? Words from myself cannot do enough praise for this great man. He is responsible for one of my nicknames, Fernando.

Roberto Carlos da Silva Rocha (LB): if you didn't have an updated health insurance before facing Madrid, you were advised to except when Roberto Carlos had an injury or was suspended. He packed a cannon (maybe 5 cannon balls) in that left foot of his. He redefined the LB position and influenced a whole generation of left backs like Gareth Bale (who actually started as a LB), Marcelo, Coentrao amongst others. He was the best in the world at his peak in this position, no questions asked.

Claude Makele Sinda (DM) : One Man who since the day he left Real Madrid, life has never been the same for the Whites. A player whose departure ranks amongst the sins of Fiorentino Perez and will never be forgiven by many True Madridistas. I would quote what Zidane said after Makelele's departure, "Why put another layer of gold paint on the Bentley, when losing the entire engine?" He was quite the work horse in the team. He was a beast , not the glamorous one. He was the oil in that made the Real engine tick.

Zinedine Yazid Zidane (CM): What words can be used to describe the Master of the Game? The man who is widely considered the best of his generation and in the Maradonna class? I can't remember how many times I had heard the commentators say, "Only Zizou could have seen that player and made that pass". He had the eye for the killer pass, could hold up play and score amazing goals. He could predict the next two plays on the pitch. His vision or soccer IQ was immense. He could also tackle. He was the Man on every team. Even after he retired Coaches still begged him to play for them. Ruud Van Nistlerooy once said he regretted not been able to play with Zizou on the same team. I'm sure Ruud would have scored more than 30 goals in a season, if he had.

Luis Filipe Madeira Caerio Figo (RM): One player who shook La Liga. His arrival from FC Barcelona began the "Galactico Era" of Madrid. Best right winger of this decade. He has a unique way of delivering his crosses that made it so easy for Forwards like Fernando Morientes (remember when he scored 5 goals in a single game, all headers?). Figo's set piece delivery was fantastic. He was also a master at penalty kicks. Luis Figo was the best right winger of the decade, not just for Real Madrid but in Europe.

Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro (LM): CR9 before he became CR7 after Raul's departure. 60 goals in 61 games in only his 2nd season at Los Blancos. He has a record better than club legends such as Di Stefano, Pahinho and Ronaldo, O Fenomeno. Funny thing is, he is still not an out and out striker. He was inspired by Luis Figo and was supposed to be the "Next Figo" at Sporting Lisbon. Sir Alex Ferguson bought Cristiano to replace David Beckham at Manchester United. But he evolved into such a goal scoring machine that all the strikers on his teams started to look like midfielders. One can only imagine if he had played with the likes of Zizou and Figo? That team would have scored like crazy. Good with both feet and very strong in the air. He clearly is the best in his position in the world.

Raul Gonzalez Blanco (SF): He is Real Madrid and Real Madrid is Raul. Thats how fans of Real Madrid described Raul in Nigeria. Raul was master of not just goal scoring, but also of scoring some majestic goals. He was such a hard worker for the team. He was even willing to play a much deeper role and in effect reduced his goal scoring output for a few seasons. In the survey I conducted, some Madridistas choose Ruud Van Nistlerooy over him. I strongly believe that no true Madridista would drop Raul, whose blood flows with Real Madrid in it, for anyone.

Ronaldo Luis Nazario de lima (F): El Fenomeno was and is the greatest striker ever. He may not have been a 100% at his best s during his days with the whites, but his record speaks for itself. 104 goals in 177 games was no mean fit. The likes of Higuain benefited from training with the great one, despite his weight issues. He was not one to shy away from the big games.

                                   Casillas

Salgado-Hierro-Helguera-Carlos

Figo-Zidane-Makelele-C. Ronaldo

Raúl-Ronaldo


Honorable Mentions: Steve McManaman, Fabio Cannavaro, Ruud Van Nistlerooy, Pepe, Santiago Solari (huge Favorite of mine), Esteban Cambiasso and Miguel Torres.

Article by Rapheal Harry for Forza Futbol