Real Madrid's Best Matchday Squad of Last 20 Years Based on Shirt Numbers
Some clubs have famous numbers associated with them because of the calibre of player who has worn that jersey down the years; at Real Madrid, for example, the No. 9 shirt has been worn by the likes of Davor Suker, Fernando Morientes and Ronaldo before the current incumbent Karim Benzema took over.
They make for great stories, passing the shirt from icon to icon...but what if you could choose only one?
What, in fact, if you had to create an entire side with just one name per shirt number?
That's what we've done—with several huge calls along the way, and not just with the nine shirt but with every squad number used by every player over the last 20 years.
GK: 1. Iker Casillas
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In goal, there's not too much doubt; four top-class goalkeepers have worn the No. 1 jersey since 1996/97 season, but one sits considerably higher than the rest.
Iker Casillas is a legend not just at Real Madrid but in Spanish football and worldwide for his endeavours with the Santiago Bernabeu club, for his exploits at international level, for the trophies he won with both—and for the fact he became a top 'keeper while still in his teens.
He gets the nod to start our team off.
FB: 15. Dani Carvajal and 3. Roberto Carlos
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Four full-backs have dominated Real Madrid's side over the last two decades, by and large, and we've picked one modern player and one elder statesman from that quartet.
Dani Carvajal wears the No. 2 jersey now, but before taking possession of that shirt, it was the No. 15 he wore on his back. The Spaniard mixes tough tackling with an ability to break forward, overlap midfielders and contribute heavily in the final third to build up play with assured passing, good crossing ability and the stamina to get up and down all game.
On the opposite side, take those latter traits and multiply them tenfold, and that's Roberto Carlos.
Thunderous power on the run, incredible acceleration and the intent to get forward whenever possible made him the offensive full-back of a generation—even without the odd humdinger of a goal.
They didn't happen often, but the No. 3 offered more than enough to take his place in our side.
CB: 4. Fernando Hierro and 18. Rafael Alkorta
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In the centre of defence, the first decision was a straight fight between Real Madrid's big pair of No. 4s: Fernando Hierro or Sergio Ramos.
The latter is a true icon of the modern game, a powerful and aggressive defender who impacts at both ends of the pitch, but his defensive qualities aren't as good as those displayed by Hierro down the years—and he also made a big contribution in the attacking third.
A goalscorer from set pieces and penalties, capable of playing in midfield thanks to his great technique and tactical knowhow, Hierro was also a leader and would captain our side.
Alongside Hierro is former Basque defender Rafael Alkorta; he indeed partnered Hierro in the mid-to-late '90s and won two league titles in his four seasons at the club.
Curiously, the No. 18 shirt seems to have been almost reserved for centre-backs in the past two decades: Aitor Karanka, Jonathan Woodgate, Raul Albiol and now Nacho have all donned the same number.
CM: 6. Fernando Redondo and 5. Zinedine Zidane
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In the centre of the park, we opt for a mix of defensive tenacity and offensive genius.
The holding role goes to Argentinian aggressor Fernando Redondo, equally capable of destroying opposing teams' attacks and setting his own side on the front foot.
Redondo won the Champions League twice at Real during his six-year stay, showing himself one of the world's best midfielders in that period before serious knee injuries essentially ended his career shortly after he left the Bernabeu.
Alongside—or, more probably, roaming somewhere ahead—is No. 5, Zinedine Zidane. Any team, any era, any shirt number, Zidane would be in a pick the XI and here is no different.
The former playmaker, now manager, was one of the best on the planet for a period, and at Real Madrid, he graced the pitch time after time, showcasing his trademark intricate footwork, incredible close control and penchant for scoring spectacular goals.
WF: 10. Luis Figo and 9. Cristiano Ronaldo
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The sheer volume of players left off in these roles is almost embarrassing: From the modern options of Gareth Bale and Arjen Robben to the stars of yesteryear including David Beckham, Clarence Seedorf and Santi Solari, there are lots to choose from...and yet the choice was reasonably straightforward nonetheless.
Luis Figo on the right, wearing No. 10, and Cristiano Ronaldo on the left, wearing No. 9—the shirt he wore upon joining Real Madrid, prior to inheriting the No. 7 he now bears.
Figo brought grace, power and skill to the wing; a driving out-ball for the team on the counter, pinpoint delivery on the run and great energy reserves to do the hard work required were all hallmarks of his game.
The former Barcelona man caused quite the stir when he joined Madrid, but he certainly went on to prove it was a worthwhile transfer.
As for Cristiano, he has become almost the embodiment of Real Madrid in the modern era, seemingly a record-breaker every other week, a constant presence on the scoresheet—and the small matter of being voted the best player in the world.
Goals and pace are guaranteed, troubling any defence around.
SS/CF: 7. Raul and 11. Ronaldo
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Line them up how you wish, in a 4-2-3-1 or a more offensive 4-2-4, this side will trouble anyone—but it also requires a forward option who will drop deep, work relentlessly off the ball for the team and be good enough to inspire his fellow attackers to do the dirty work with him.
Thankfully for Los Blancos, Raul Gonzalez Blanco was exactly that, equal parts inspirational, incredible and identifiable.
He wore the No. 7 shirt with pride and won six Liga titles and three Champions League crowns across his 16-year span in the first team, while also becoming the national team all-time top scorer for Spain—since surpassed by David Villa.
Raul created and scored in equal measure, but the real striking presence of our side is former Brazil international, Ronaldo.
While most famous for wearing the No. 9 shirt on his back, Real Madrid helpfully awarded him the No. 11 shirt in his debut campaign, with Morientes still in place in the nine—and thus solving our conundrum of how to choose between two Ronaldos and one Raul in the side otherwise.
Ronaldo was simply stunning.
Power, pace, goals, skill, trickery in one-on-one situations, both feet, headers...forget about defenders, it was only injuries that could, and did, halt El Fenomeno.
Subs
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On the bench, there's still plenty to choose from, but we've opted for a standard selection in our seven-man replacements: one goalkeeper, two defenders, two midfielders, one support attacker and one striker.
GK: Cesar Sanchez, 13. The Spanish stopper just edges out Santi Canizares and Bodo Illgner. He did well to hold off Casillas' progress as No. 1 for even a brief period of time.
DF: Ricardo Carvalho, 2. The rugged and aerially dominant figure of Ricardo Carvalho takes his place on the bench, particularly for his first season with the side.
DF: Marcelo, 12. Perhaps unlucky not to be in the XI itself, Marcelo would certainly be a more-than-able deputy at full-back.
MF: Claude Makelele, 24. The French defensive midfielder was the man who reminded Real Madrid that a team needed balance, not just a strong attack. Redondo had more all-round ability, but Makelele is maybe the best defensive option.
MF: Angel Di Maria, 22. Argentinian powerhouse midfielder Di Maria blends relentless energy with tremendous versatility, offering us an option at centre mid or from the flanks.
AM: Mesut Ozil, 23. Here we had a big decision to make: more goals or more creativity? We've opted for the latter, with Ozil a guarantee of assists if (somehow) the likes of Zidane, Raul and Figo can't break through.
FW: Predrag Mijatovic, 8. Our sub striker is the legendary Yugoslavian, a deadly talent in the 1990s and scorer of Madrid's winner in the 1998 Champions League final.
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