All time Greatest Real Madrid XI vs.
All time Greatest Barcelona XI
and a Dream Match for the Gods
As the world
braces itself for 'El Clasico' we run the rule over the best ever players to
play for Real Madrid and Barcelona to see which club really
can produce the greatest XI ...
"I might take the odd
dive, but at least I'm not named after one of the Mr. Men"
Now its the time for the Blaugrana and the Los Blancos.... Following the dominance of the red & blue in the last 5 years, and the resurgence of the most successful club of Europe in the last year or so, prompts us to find out who could stamp the authority over the time, if the scope was given to gather all of their players who have spent time in these clubs over the years... It calls for an all time dream team to be formed from both of these sides.....
Regarding the formation, both the clubs are opting for a standard 4-4-2 formation... However, the formations may change according to the situation of the match, and according to the strengths/weaknesses of the oppositions as well.....
Both of the Spanish clubs have had a fair share of the greatest of the Footballers.... Hence without wasting any further words, let us choose the Greatest XI of all time for both the clubs.....
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REAL MADRID
Goalkeeper: Iker
Casillas – Made his debut at 18 and has been No. 1
ever since. From his vantage point between the sticks Casillas has played
behind some true greats but the World Cup winner can now rightly consider
himself their equal. Points - 8
Right Back: Miguel
Porlan Noguera – Chendo spent 16 years at Madrid, the
right-back was an integral part of the Real Madrid side that won 5 straight
titles in the late 80’s. Points - 7
Center Back: Fernando
Hierro – The central-defender/ defensive midfielder
was as good at the back as he was going forward scoring over 100 goals during
his time at the club, helping the side to win just the three Champions League
titles. Points - 8
Center Back: Jose
Santamaria – The Uruguayan was the rock at the back of
the all conquering Madrid side in the late 50s. The likes of Di Stéfano and
Puskas could bomb forward knowing that Sanatamaria and co would hold the fort. Points - 8
Left Back: Jose
Antonio Camacho – The tough left-back played over 600 games
for Madrid. Much better than the massively more famous free kick ‘specialist’
Roberto Carlos. Roberto Carlos maybe was a better attacking left back, but in a team with this strong attack, an extra attacking option would be rarely needed. Camacho on the other hand was like a rock in the left and literally shut it down for opponents. Points - 8
Right Midfield: Francisco
“Paco” Gento – The only player to win six European Cups.
Enough said. Points - 9
Central Midfield: Zinedine
Zidane – Arguably the best player of his generation.
His outrageous volley in the 2002 Champions League final was a snapshot of the
unbelievable skill the Frenchman possessed. Points - 9
Central Midfield: Alfredo di
Stéfano – The Argentine (who later also played for
Spain) was on the verge of joining Barcelona before Franco intervened and he
signed for Madrid. Pelé once described him as the ‘best player ever’. Points - 10
Left Midfield: Raúl – Like Di Stéfano history could’ve been so different if the
Atletico Madrid youth side he was with wasn’t scrapped by notorious chairman
Jesus Gil. As it was he spent 16 years becoming record league appearance holder
and scoring goals for fun. Points - 8
Center Forward: Cristiano
Ronaldo – Whatever you think about Cristiano Ronaldo the man,
when CR7 has the ball at his feet they are few more entertaining players
in the current game. If only he had a little humility and didn’t roll around
like massive twat he could go on to be one of the all-time greats. Points - 8
Striker: Ferenc
Puskás –Arrived at Madrid overweight, but soon won
over the fans with a mercurial left foot. An amazing player with an amazing vision. Even at the age of over 30, he mesmerized the crowd, and set the world stage ablaze with the glorious team of Real Madrid. The only player to score hat-tricks
in two different European Cup finals. Points - 9
Reserves: 4 reserves are identified, with 1 defender, 2 midfielders and 1 forward in mind.
The reserves are accordingly Roberto Carlos, Pirri, Guti and Hugo Sanchez.
Manager: Miguel
Munoz – Won the European Cup as a player three year
before becoming the Manger and steering them to a further two European Cups. As
if that wasn’t enough led them to nine La Liga titles winning five on the trot
between 1960-65. Points - 9
Total Score:
101
Now that is a team to be truly proud of...
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BARCELONA
Goalkeeper: Andoni
Zubizarreta – The Basque goalkeeper spent eight years at
the Camp Nou, and was the number one when Barca won their first ever European
Cup in 1992. Points - 7
Right Back: Carles
Puyol – The leader and Captain of the current Barca
side, his wholehearted commitment and strength is invaluable and an inspiration
to his team mates. The Catalan hero is 32 but few would bet against him lifting
even more trophies before he retires. Points - 7
Center Back: Miguel
Angel Nadal – Nadal like Puyol was as tough as they come
hence his nickname ‘The Beast’. Played just under 500 games for Barca and would
certainly relish the opportunity of looking after the flair players. Points - 7
Center Back: Ronald
Koeman – Prior to the recent triumphs in 2006 and
2009, Barca’s finest achievement was on a balmy night at Wembley in 1992 when
they finally got their hands on the European Cup. It was the Dutchman who
scored the only goal of the game with a trademark free-kick. Added
craft to Nadal’s guile in the heart of defence. Points - 8
Left Back: Sergi
Barjuan – The attacking full-back was a regular for nearly
a decade winning three La Liga medals in the process. Points - 7
Right Midfield: Johann
Cruyff – In his first season led Barcelona to their
first league title since 1960 , scoring in the famous 5-0 victory over their
arch enemy at the Bernabeau along the way. That, aside from a Copa Del Rey
triumph in 1978, was the only honour he won at Barca, but his spell as player
saw him win the hearts of the Barca faithful. Points - 10
Left Midfield: Lionel
Messi – Finally a true potential heir to Diego Maradona’s
throne, and a possible genius number 10. Only at 24 but has done so much already –
unbelievable. Points - 9
Central Midfield: Diego Maradona – Diego’s time at Barca may well have
been brief, but then the best ever player to play the game (apart from Pelé) is an automatic
choice in any side. Points - 10
Central Midfield: Michael Laudrup – The conductor of the dream team
managed by Johan Cruyff in the early 90s. Would create something out of nothing
and feed the likes of Stoichkov and Romario, the latter calling him the best
player he ever played with. He was so good he can just, but only just, be
excused for moving to Real Madrid. Points - 9
Striker: Ronaldo – Sadly now known as the ‘fat Ronaldo’. ‘El Fenomeno’ is a more
appropriate moniker and whilst he only spent one season at the Camp Nou but it
was an unbelievable season for the lightning quick goal machine. He could score from anywhere, at any time and it seemed that he was too good for the league itself. Even at the age of 19, when he was in Barcelona he was a devastating striker, and possibly the best Barcelona ever had. Points - 9
Center Forward: Romario – Recently described himself as the best ever Brazilian player
with the exception of Pelé. Whilst Garrincha or Zico may not agree, the
diminutive and temperamental striker could certainly stake a claim. One-on-one
he’s had few peers. Points - 9
Reserves: 4 reserves are identified, with 1 defender, 2 midfielders and 1 forward in mind.
The reserves are accordingly Giovanni van Bronkhorst, Ronaldinho, Xavi and Samuel Eto'o.
Manager: Cruyff (player-manager) – The former player returned to the Nou Camp in
1988 and built a side that would become known as the ‘Dream Team’. Led them to
four straight titles, but more importantly masterminded the club's first ever
European Cup win. Points - 8
Total Score:
100
And a team ready to conquer the world...
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2 awesome rivals are ready.... Now this is really a match for the Gods.....
Regarding the points, Real Madrid shade it by a
single point (although if we count the reserve players' points too, then the scores are tied at 135 for both)... However we imagine it would be a hell of a game in every possible way.... For fans of fantasy,
here’s how we reckon it would have panned out..... Awesome!!!
Real Madrid - 5 : Di Stéfano 2 (4',43'), C. Ronaldo (63'), Zidane (88'), Puskás (90')
vs.
Barcelona - 5 : Ronaldo 2 (26', 90+1'), Maradona (5'), Cruyff (17'), Romario (58')
vs.
Barcelona - 5 : Ronaldo 2 (26', 90+1'), Maradona (5'), Cruyff (17'), Romario (58')
Ronaldo is way better than Di Stefano. And where is Ronaldinho?
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