"Realcelona": If Real Madrid and Barcelona Were to Have a Combined Team

What would the team look like if Real Madrid and Barcelona were to combine teams for a match or season?

Here, I write a first 11 and seven substitutes for the game. The first 11 lineup is in a 4-2-3-1 formation, as this is the best formation which suits a combined team of these two sides.

Please feel free to agree or disagree.

Goalkeeper

Iker Casillas

Although Victor Valdes was in great form last season for Barcelona, there is no doubt about who would take up this spot.

Spain’s captain has been brilliant for the past several seasons and is in good form this season as well. Casillas deserves this spot without any argument.

Right Back

Daniel Alves

For the past five seasons or so, Alves has been one of the best right backs in the world.

After joining Barcelona last season, he showed that he was not just a good player on a good team (Sevilla), but a fantastic player as he settled in at Barcelona from day one and was the perfect partner for Lionel Messi in Barcelona’s right side of attack.

Center Back

Carles Puyol

The Barcelona captain brings so much experience when he plays. Even though Pep Guardiola has been showing more faith in Rafael Marquez and Gerard Pique, one can see that he is thinking about the future.

After having bought Chygrynski, Barca still wants Puyol to extend his contract, which just shows how much Barcelona believes in him.

Center Back

Pepe

Alongside Puyol, Pepe would be ideal. Pepe’s style of going to tackle every ball and win every header will complement the calmness and experience of Puyol at the back.

Never mind the crazy antics at display last season against Getafe, Pepe is a great center back and has proved his worth at both Real and Portugal.

Left Back

Sergio Ramos

The left side of defense is the weakest link of both the Spanish powerhouses. Ramos has played in the left side of defense a few times before, and has performed very admirable.

Last season at the first El Classico at Camp Nou, Ramos marked Messi well and did not let the Argentine play his best game. Ramos would be a better choice than any of Drenthe, Marcelo, Abidal or Maxwell.

Defensive Midfield

Lassana Diarra

Even though Yaya Toure and Xabi Alonso are fantastic players, Lass has his name carved for this position. With a midfield as good as this team’s, a distributive midfielder would be good, but not essential.

Therefore, Lass pips Alonso to the team. Look at his performances last and this season for Real, and that will justify his starting place for the team.

Center Midfield

Xavi

One of the best midfielders in the world. Xavi can tackle, pass the ball anywhere on the field and never loses the ball.

He gives so many options to the attack that with the presence of Xavi, any team can function. Just look at how good Barcelona and Spain have been, and Xavi is the heart of the team.

Right Wing

Lionel Messi

Who else but Messi? The deserving winner of this year’s Ballon D’Or (even though he has not officially won it yet). Messi’s mesmerizing runs, passes, dribbles and left-footed shots bring so much to the team.

He is also a joy to watch in every game. Plus, he will have Daniel Alves behind as well. Surely, no argument here.

Left Wing

Cristiano Ronaldo

Ronaldo has brought his brilliant footballing ability with him from England. Five goals in five games, and highest top scorer in La Liga so far.

There surely will be no one to challenge him for this spot. If one is not biased, and chooses someone for this spot, surely it has to be Cristiano.

Attacking Midfield/Second Striker

Kaka

Some may argue that Iniesta should get this spot. I can see the argument, but Kaka pips Iniesta to start.

The last two seasons have been hampered by injury, but when fit, Kaka is the best attacking midfielder in the world.

Whenever he plays, his team does well, from Milan to Madrid to Brazil. Having Kaka on the team opens up so many options for the striker.

Striker

Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Ibrahimovic has been a hit in Spain so far. Joint top scorer with five goals in five games, one cannot ask Ibrahimovic for more. He also has a couple of assists to his name.

With such a midfield, Zlatan will get numerous assists to put the ball in the back of the net time and time again. Plus, his aerial threat will bring fruit from Alves, Ramos, Messi, and Ronaldo’s crosses.

Substitutes—Goalkeeper

Victor Valdes

If Casillas starts, Valdes is the only choice to sit on the bench. Surely, Jerzey Dudek is not better.

Defender

Rafael Marquez

Some may argue that Pique deserves this spot, but Marquez was brilliant for Barcelona last season before his injury. He has also consistently been good for Mexico.

If any of Puyol and Pepe gets injured or suspended (of course it won’t happen, ‘cause its fiction), Marquez will fit in perfectly without the fans missing any of the two starters.

Full Back

Alvaro Arbeloa

Arbeloa is on the team to cover for the full backs. Although he is not the best full back among all the options available, Arbeloa is extremely versatile and can fit in both right back and left back.

All the other full backs at Madrid and Barcelona are not as versatile and can cover only one side, thus Arbeloa gets the nod.

Defensive/Center Midfield

Xabi Alonso

Alonso can cover both the defensive midfield role for Lass and the center midfield role for Xavi. Although Yaya Toure would be a good choice for Lass, he cannot fill in the gap if something was to happen to Xavi.

Keita is very good, but not as good as Alonso. Plus, the experience Alonso brings would be priceless.

Attacking Midfielder/Winger

Andreas Iniesta

Iniesta could easily start for this team, but there were three problems—Messi, Ronaldo and Kaka. Therefore, he had to start on the bench.

If Iniesta was to replace any of the three, he would do so with no problem at all. He could play on either side or in the center and match any of the guys’ performances. Guti and Granero are good, but Iniesta is much better.

Winger/Striker

Thierry Henry

Henry gets the nod ahead of anyone else because he can replace Ronaldo on the left or Ibrahimovic in the center.

His form for Barcelona was very good last season, and he has continued where he left off this season. He still has the pace and the eye for the goal, and would be the best choice.

Striker

Ruud van Nistelrooy

With such a midfield, there is no need of a striker with a defensive or hardworking ability. Even though Raul could easily be in the squad, at present Van Nistelrooy would be the best choice.

Forget his injury, we all know how Ruud keeps scoring and we know he will score when he is back after his latest injury. Van would be the perfect replacement for Ibrahimovic and would be a reliable goal scorer.