Real Madrid

Rank 4, WorldCupStory Club Index 56,055

Real Madrid World Cup XI Dream Team

Real Madrid       
PlayersCountryWCupsGamesMinsGoalsCapt
GKIker CasillasSpain315144009
RBSergio RamosSpain21091700
CBUli StielikeGermany1766000
CBFernando HierroSpain412101754
LBRoberto CarlosBrazil317156010
MFXabi AlonsoSpain1759300
MFZinedine ZidaneFrance2764936
MFMíchelSpain2983640
FWJorge ValdanoArgentina1763040
STDavor SukerCroatia1763061
STRaúlSpain31171652
2310996482822

It was a surprise to find that the player who has played the most world cup minutes as a Real Madrid player is Brazilian, and that their scorer is Croatian. Indeed  this dream team sees representation from 6 countries.

Iker Casillas walks into the side as goalkeeper, adding the experience of captaincy from 9 matches. At full back with Sergio Ramos on the right and Roberto Carlos on the left, flanking Fernando Hierro and Uli Stielike. Hierro contributes 5 goals, of which some were from defensive midfield, and Stielike is an extremely species: a German who has missed in a penalty shootout. It was tough on Jose Antonio Camacho to miss out at left back, but the record of Roberto Carlos is indeed special.

The midfield is anchored by Xabi Alonso, despite a lack of goals, allowing Zinedine Zidane and Michel to push ahead and add to the goal tally. David Beckham, despite captaining England in 5 matches and Kaka are notables to miss out on selection.

Jorge Valdano operates somewhere between midfield and the strikers and his 4 goals make him a constant threat. And at the sharp end, we find top scorer, Davor Suker, with 6 goals for Croatia in France 1998, partnering Raul who contributes 5 goals over 3 world cups for Spain. Raul is perhaps lucky to be selected, holding off Fernando Morientes, Emilio Butragueno each with 5 goals and Gonzalo Higuain with 4. Brazil’s Ronaldo only scored 3 world cup goals at Real Madrid, and Cristiano Ronaldo so far only has one.

The team matches closely the stats of Barcelona and is slightly stronger on paper. But I am not entirely convinced by the creative spark, and I would expect both Bayern Munich and Inter Milan to defeat this side.

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