Xabi Alonso

XABI ALONSO(MF)

Real Madrid

2009–10 season

Alonso playing for Real Madrid against Espanyol

Alonso completed his £30,000,000 move to Real Madrid on 5 August 2009. It has been suggested that he never wanted to leave the Anfield side, with his contract existing until at least 2012, and that his departure was due to differences with Benítez.Former teammate Steven Gerrard said he was "devastated" by Alonso's decision, and cited his departure as one of the reasons behind Liverpool's poor run of form at the start of the following season.

Alonso was given the number 22 jersey in Madrid and played in a holding midfield position. He scored his first goal for his new team on 21 February 2010, a penalty against Villarreal in a 6–2 win. Unless he was injured or suspended, Manuel Pellegrini started Alonso in every match of the Champions League and in La Liga in his first season at Real Madrid. In La Liga he helped the club finish with a club record 96 points, three points behind winners Barcelona. It was the third time in Alonso's career that he helped his team set a new club record in terms of points gathered, while finishing in second position (he achieved the same feat with Real Sociedad in 2002–03 and with Liverpool in 2008–09). During his first season at Real Madrid Alonso scored three goals and was considered one of the club's "most consistent" players. Readers of Marca made him part of their La tiga team of the season, as their choice defensive midfielder; the only other Real Madrid player featured was Cristiano Ronaldo. Alonso received the same accolade fromESPN Soccernet. He was also a nominee in the LFP Awards, awards given out by the Liga de Fútbol Profesional, the Spanish Football league. Alonso was nominated in the Best Midfielder category, alongside Xavi and Javi Martínez. Several members of the Spanish press, as well as a number of Real Madrid supporters, gave Alonso a new nickname during the season: La Barba Roja (The Red Beard).

2010–11 season

His second season at Real Madrid started with the arrival of a new manager, José Mourinho. He was given the number 14 jersey, after the departure of the vice-captain Guti. On 6 June, When asked if would ever consider returning to Liverpool, Alonso told Liverpool.tv "Why not?", he also said "At the moment I don't know what is going to happen, but it could be a possibility. Never say never". Alonso scored the equalizing goal against Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup on 14 August.

2011–12 season

Xabi Alonso started his third season at Real Madrid by scoring the second goal in a 2–2 draw against Barcelona in the 2011 Supercopa de España at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. On 21 September 2011, he played his 100th official game for Real Madrid in the 0–0 draw against Racing Santander. Alonso still proves to be an undisputed force in the starting eleven.

Antonio Adán

ANTONIO ADAN(GK)

A Real Madrid youth graduate, Adán was the first-choice goalkeeper for its C side in the 2005–06 season, playing 36 games and conceding 29 goals. He also started three games for the Juvenil team, which won the Champions Cup of the category, keeping a clean sheet in the tournament.

The following season, he was selected as a member of Real Madrid's U.S. tour in August 2006. He served as backup to captain Jordi Codina in Real Madrid Castilla, until Codina's promotion to the first squad.

Adán made his debut in 2006–07's second division on 27 August 2006, in an 1–1 draw at CD Castellón. He contributed with six leagues matches, as Real Madrid's reserves were eventuall relegated.

After the sale of Codina to neighbours Getafe CF, Adán was promoted to the senior squad for pre-season training, in the 2009–10 campaign. While still appearing mostly for the B's, he was third-choice in the first team, behind Iker Casillas and Jerzy Dudek.

On 8 December 2010, Adán made his official Real Madrid debut, replacing injured Dudek in the 44th minute of the 4–0 home win against AJ Auxerre, for the season's UEFA Champions League; the Merengues had already won its group stage, and manager José Mourinho rested several starters; the following month, he played the full 90 minutes in a 0–2 loss at Levante UD, for the season's Copa del Rey (8–2 aggregate win).

Adán made his La Liga debut on 13 February 2011, replacing sent off Casillas in the second minute of a 1–0 win at RCD Espanyol. Starting in the following matchday, at home against Levante, he kept a clean sheet (2–0 win).

Marcelo

MARCELO(VICE-CAPTAIN)

Real Madrid

Marcelo joined Real Madrid during the January transfer window in 2007. On his arrival, club president Ramón Calderón said, "He is an important signing for us. He is a young player who will inject some freshness into the side and is part of our plan to bring younger players into the squad. We're very happy because he's a pearl that half of Europe wanted." Many spectators hailed him as Roberto Carlos' potential successor in the left-back role.

Marcelo made his debut as a substitute in the 2–0 defeat against Deportivo La Coruña on 7 January 2007. On 14 April 2007, then coach Fabio Capello gave Marcelo his first start for Real Madrid against Racing de Santander. Real Madrid controversially lost the game 2–1. In the 2007–08 season, Marcelo had started nearly all of Madrid's league games under the new manager Bernd Schuster. His ability, speed running across the field, attack, and defence had enabled him to become a very important player for Real Madrid.

After a string of poor performances in 2009, Marcelo found himself on the bench for much of the remaining season while under new manager Juande Ramos, mainly as deputy to the more defensive minded Gabriel Heinze. Juande Ramos deployed Marcelo as a winger on more than one occasion, and the Brazilian adapted well to his new role. He scored his first goal after receiving a heel flick from striker Gonzalo Higuaín and slotting the ball past the goalkeeper in Real Madrid's 4–0 thumping ofSporting de Gijón. After the game, coach Ramos declared that Marcelo's future would be positioned as a winger, but will push back to defense when required. Marcelo scored his second goal for Real Madrid in a victory over Almeria, a powerful strike from outside of the box with his weaker right foot.

On 18 April 2009 he scored his third goal of his Real Madrid career, when he scored the only goal of the game against Recreativo de Huelva away from home. He scored his fourth goal against Sevilla FC at the Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán in April 2009.

2009–2010 season

Under the next head coach Manuel Pellegrini, Marcelo consistently featured in the starting eleven for his versatility and pace along the left flank in offensive and defensive roles. He continued to be employed as a left-winger under Pellegrini, and reached the top of the assist charts of La Liga in the 2009–10 season. He admitted in a press conference at the end of 2009, "I now feel better playing as a winger."  His successful performance in Madrid's 2009/2010 campaign earned him a contract extension on 5 February 2010 with the club until June 2015.This season proved to be his break-through season at the club.

Marcelo during 2009–10 season

Breakthrough season 2010–2011

In the 2010–11 season under coach José Mourinho, Marcelo was back in his natural position of left back. He has started all league games, paying back the coach's confidence in him with defensive steel and attacking intent and gained the coach's admiration. On 25 November 2010, Marcelo was named as a part of the 55 player shortlist for the FIFA World XI. He scored his first goal of the new season in a 1–0 win against Espanyol on 13 February. He had a terrific match against Lyon in the Champions League. Showing his attacking flair and defensive skills, he opened the scoring with his first ever UEFA Champions League goal and assisted Benzema's goal, at the end he was named man of the match, of which Real went on to win 3–0, and progressed to the quarter-finals for the first time since 2004. Marcelo then continued his fine season by scoring in the 2nd leg against Barca in Camp Nou. The game ended 1–1. Marcelo's successful campaign in the UEFA Champions League has earned him a starting spot in UEFAs starting XI. Marcelo was heavily praised by the worldwide media this season, and many called him the best left back in the world. Maradona said he was the third best player in La Liga, after Ronaldo and Messi.

2011–2012 season

Marcelo was sent off on 17 August 2011 at Madrids 3–2 loss to Barcelona. On 3 December 2011, Marcelo scored Madrid's third goal in a 0–3 defeat of Sporting de Gijón in the La Liga.

Paolo Maldini gave credits to Marcelo and called him the current left back, "who is a great attacker and a defender, a specialist of both areas".

Esteban Granero

ESTEBAN GRANERO(MF)

Real Madrid

Granero joined ranks of Real Madrid when he was just eight years old, and quickly began displaying his footballing talent. In one season, he scored 83 goals in the Under-10 division, and in 1999, captained the Under-12 B team that won the International Football-7 tournament held in the Palau Sant Jordi in Barcelona by defeating FC Barcelona 1–0 with his extra time goal. He was also named the best player of the competition.

Granero, alongside teammates Juan Mata and Alberto Bueno, won the Copa de Campeones Juvenil de Fútbol in 2006, an under-19 official youth tournament in Spain organized by the Royal Spanish Football Federation. He then joined the club's C squad, at the age of 17, standing out for his talent and passing skills, and going on to receive the Números 1 Don Balón award as the "Most Valuable Player" of the fourth division Group 7 in 2005–06, an accolade bestowed by Don Balón magazine,one of the founding members of European Sports Magazines. That same season, he made his first appearance with Real Madrid Castilla in a match against Albacete Balompié, during which he had a goal assist.

Return to Real

On 21 July 2009, Real Madrid exercised their buyback option, in a reported €4 million deal, and Granero scored three goals during the pre-season. His first official one came in his first start, the opener in a 3–0 La Liga away success against RCD Espanyol, on 12 September 2009. In his first season, where the Merengues eventually came out empty in silverware, he alternated the bench with starts, with irregular performances.

In the 2010–11 season, after Real Madrid purchased two players in similar positions, Sami Khedira and Mesut Özil, Granero was limited mainly to substitute appearances. On 16 January 2011, he came from the bench to score against UD Almería, in a 1–1 away draw against the bottom-placed team.

Granero's situation became worse in the 2011–12 season, with even Fábio Coentrão - another compatriot of manager José Mourinho who was signed in the off-season, originally as a left wingback - being preferred over him as central midfielder.

Mesut Özil

MESUT OZIL

Real Madrid

Mesut Özil and Daniele Bonera duringReal Madrid – Milan, 2010–11 UEFA Champions League.

Due to his performances in the 2010 FIFA World Cup, he ensured his place among Europe's top young talents. He was sought by teams like F.C. Barcelona, Arsenal F.C., and Manchester United and reports even claimed that a deal was struck for a transfer to Barca. Werder Bremen denied the report and on 17 August 2010 the team announced that they had reached an agreement with Real Madrid.The transfer fee is believed to have been in the region of €15 million. He made his debut on 22 August in a friendly match against Hércules, which Real Madrid won 3–1.

Özil warming up againstLeicester City in a pre-seasonfriendly in 2011.

Özil's jersey numbers were changed often before the season started. He was given the number 26 in the pre-season and 19 for his debut. But following the transfer of Rafael van der Vaart, he was given the vacant 23.

Özil was brought in to back up teammate Kaka, but due to his surgery, Özil obtained a starting role. He then made his La Liga debut for Real Madrid as a substitute for Ángel di María in the 62nd minute against Mallorca, which Real Madrid drew 0–0. Özil made his season debut in Champions League on 15 September. He got his first assist with Real Madrid in the 74th minute against Ajax after he crossed in the ball, resulting in a Higuaín goal. Özil's performances for Real Madrid have been praised by media, fans and players.

He walked off the pitch as a second half substitute to standing ovations in his first two games as a starter at the Santiago Bernabéu. His first goal came in a league match against Deportivo La Coruña on 3 October 2010, in a 6–1 victory. Özil's first Champions League goal with Real came in the 14th minute against Milan on 19 October 2010.On 22 December he made his debut in Copa del Rey, scoring once in a 8–0 victory over Levante.

On 6 March 2011, after providing two assists in a 3–1 victory over Racing Santander, Özil was greatly praised by worldwide media thanks to his performance on the pitch, thus consolidating his outstanding season so far. He finished the 2010–11 season with Madrid with 25 assists, the highest for any player in any major European competition that season.

Özil began wearing the number 10 shirt for Real Madrid in 2011–12, signalling Jose Mourinho's intent to use the German international as his main playmaker. On 14 August 2011, Özil scored his first goal against Barcelona in the first leg of the 2011 Supercopa de España. On 17 August 2011, Özil was sent off in the last minute of the second leg of the 2011 Supercopa de España after an altercation with David Villa. Özil expressed his desire to end his football days at the club in an interview with German magazinekicker, saying "I'd like to end my career at Real Madrid. I know it will be difficult because I have many more years ahead of me and many younger and good players will also be out there, but I want to be part of that future. I know what I'm capable of and I'm convinced I'll stay at Real Madrid many years."

Özil was on the short-list of this year's FIFA Ballon d'Or award.

Karim Benzema

KARIM BENZEMA(FW)

Real Madrid

[edit]2009–10 season

On 1 July 2009, it was announced that Lyon had reached an agreement with Spanish club Real Madrid for the transfer of Benzema. The transfer fee was priced at €35 million with the fee rising to as much as €41 million based on incentives. On 9 July, Benzema successfully passed his medical and signed his contract, a six-year deal, later that afternoon. He was presented officially as a Real Madrid player later that night at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, similarly to the previous signings of Kaká and Cristiano Ronaldo. Benzema made his Real Madrid debut on 20 July in the club's opening pre-season friendly against Irish club Shamrock Rovers in Dublin, appearing as a halftime substitute. He scored the lone goal in the club's 1–0 win, scoring in the 87th minute.On 24 August, Benzema netted two goals in Real Madrid's 4–0 victory over Norwegian clubRosenborg in an annual friendly tournament organized for the Santiago Bernabeu Trophy. The goals brought his total tally in the preseason with Real Madrid to five, making him the joint top scorer alongside fellow striker Raúl.

He made his La Liga debut on 29 August against Deportivo La Coruña. Benzema scored his first official goal for Madrid on 20 September 2009 at home against newly promoted side Xerez in a 5–0 victory. Six days later, he scored his first brace for the club in a 3–0 home victory overTenerife.On 3 November, Benzema made his first European goal for Madrid in a 1–1 draw against Milan at the San Siro. He scored his second brace on 30 January 2010 for the club against Deportivo.

[edit]2010–11 season

Karim Benzema against Villarreal CF

The new season started slowly for Benzema, he was mainly used as a substitute early on the season, but due to a serious injury to Gonzalo Higuaín and the team's lack of senior strikers, Benzema was given more starts by José Mourinho. On 4 December, Benzema netted a hat-trick in a 4–0 victory against Auxerre, the first goal being Real Madrid's 300th goal in the Champions League era. His second hat-trick came on 22 December 2010 in a 8–0 thrashing in a Copa del Rey match against Levante.

On 22 February 2011, Benzema opened the scoring in the 1–1 draw against his former club Lyon at Stade de Gerland. The France striker scored just after 40 seconds coming on as a substitute on the 62nd minute in which he dodged three players and placed the ball between the legs of Lyon goalkeeper Hugo Lloris. The goal was the 100th goal of his professional senior career, and also the first goal for Real Madrid at Stade de Gerland in 6 years. Nevertheless he did not celebrate the goal out of respect for his former club. He then continued his fine form by scoring twice in the 7–0 win against Malaga, he added another brace (two goals) against Racing Santander in a 1–3 away win on 6 March 2011. Six days later, he scored another two against Hércules helping Madrid to a 2–0 victory, making it his third consecutive brace for his club. He also scored the opener in the 1–2 away win at Vicente Calderón Stadium in the Madrid derby match against Atlético Madrid on 19 March 2011, which took his tally to 10 goals in his last 8 games. After missing several weeks through injury, he returned to score a goal on 23 April in a 3–6 win against Valencia. In Real Madrid's last game of 2010–11 season against Almería, he scored two goals in an 8–1 home win which summarize his season with 26 goals in 31 starts and 17 substitute appearances.

[edit]2011–12 season

Benzema was impressive in the preseason matches, scoring 8 goals in 7 games. He opened his tally in the new league season with a brace against Getafe on September 10. He then scored against Dutch club Ajax in Real Madrid's 3–0Champions League win. On 10 December 2011, Benzema scored the fastest ever El Clásico goal, just 22 seconds into the game but eventually the opposing team, FC Barcelona, scored 3 goals (Alexis, Xavi and Cesc), ending with Real Madrid losing the game, with Karim's goal as the only one for the team.

On March 24,2012, Benzema surpassed Zinedine Zidane as the top French scorer in La Liga history with 2 goals against Real Socidead. On the following Wednesday 27th March, he scored 2 goals into Champions League quarter-finals against Cyprus's APOEL Nicosia in a 3-0 away game.