2017 real madrid lineup
Chicago will host the 2017 All-Star Game at Soldier Field on Wednesday. The All-Star squad will feature several hometown selections, including MLS Golden Boot winner Nemanja Nikolic and Dax McCarty of the Fire.
Real Madrid’s defense features a pair of world-class center-backs, Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane. Toni Kroos and Luka Modric will join them in midfield.
Keylor Navas
One of the top players to ever wear the Real Madrid shirt, Keylor Navas, is a true fan favorite. The Costa Rica international has won numerous accolades in his short career and is regarded as the best goalkeeper in the history of CONCACAF and Latin America.
The 27-year-old joined Real Madrid in 2014 after impressing at the World Cup in Brazil for his country. He quickly became a fan favorite and won several trophies, including the UEFA Champions League, La Liga, and the Super Cup.
After a rocky start to the season, Navas regained the trust of his coaches and teammates. He started all but one of the Champions League knock-out rounds this campaign and was a major reason for Madrid’s victory against Bayern Munich in the second-leg semi-final.
Despite his good form, it’s unlikely that Navas will get the nod over seasoned keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma. The Italian signed for PSG in 2021, and there has been some speculation that he will replace the Costa Rican soon.
Dani Carvajal
Dani Carvajal is a serial trophy winner with Real Madrid, winning 20 major trophies since making his first-team debut in 2013. After starring for the Real Madrid youth team and spending one season at Bayer Leverkusen, it seemed like he would never return to Los Blancos.
However, after his incredible showing in Germany, he was quickly brought back to Madrid and has been a key contributor in the league and Champions League this season. He’s logged an assist, three shots (one on target), six chances created, and 12 crosses (one accurate) while also contributing 13 tackles (eight won) in four starts.
He’ll be expected to do much of the heavy lifting in Madrid’s midfield alongside Toni Kroos and Luka Modric. The pair will drop deep into the defensive half-spaces to stabilize the circulation while the wingbacks provide width as they attack and counterattack quickly.
Sergio Ramos
Sergio Ramos is a legendary center-back for Real Madrid. He came through Sevilla’s youth system and moved to the Bernabeu in 2005 for a record fee of EUR27 million. He is regarded as one of the best defenders of his generation, winning numerous domestic and international trophies. Ramos is known for his defensive ability, aerial skills, and strong leadership.
He is also a regular in the Spain squad, representing the country at the highest level. The Camas-born player has made 671 appearances for Real Madrid and is the club’s all-time leading goal scorer with 115 goals.
He will be tasked with marking Liverpool’s most dangerous build-up player, Roberto Firmino, which may prevent him from contributing to the attack. Toni Kroos and Luka Modric will have to do a lot of work as deep-lying playmakers if Madrid chooses to play the 4-4-2 diamond against Liverpool.
Raphael Varane
Raphael Varane was a key figure at the heart of the Real Madrid defense last season. He was part of the side that won two league titles, four UEFA Champions Leagues, and the Club World Cup. He is one of the best center-backs in the world and can keep up with attacking players on the wings and behind.
He has been a rock in the defense and will return to the starting lineup against Valencia. He will partner with Ramos in the center of defense alongside Nacho. Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo will be the front two for the Blancos.
In midfield, Casemiro will be in charge of marking Liverpool’s best build-up player, Roberto Firmino. Isco and Toni Kroos will support him. The latter is a big-game player and was outstanding in the Super Copa first leg against Barcelona. He has the composure and dynamism to compensate for Casemiro’s slightly casual possession play. Alternatively, Mateo Kovacic can also step into that role and was impressive as a super sub last season.
Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo is a Portuguese professional soccer player who plays for Spanish club Real Madrid and the Portugal national team. He is one of the best players in the world and holds many records. He is also a good person who does a lot of charity work. He even went to Indonesia after the tsunami and helped people there. He is very humble and has a good family life.
He was born in Funchal, on the island of Madeira. At age twelve, he began playing for Sporting Lisbon’s youth academy. He was spotted by a talent scout and offered a contract with the senior team. He played in the second division and won a few trophies before moving to Manchester United for a fee of £117 million in 2003.
Real Madrid’s lineup for the Champions League final against Liverpool includes key defenders Sergio Ramos and Marcelo, essential to their attacking play. They will be joined by Raphael Varane, one of the best center-backs in the world.
Karim Benzema
Karim Benzema is the game’s most complete striker. He showed it all in his hat-trick at Stamford Bridge and proved it again in Madrid’s UEFA Super Cup win over Manchester United.
This season, the 35-year-old’s ability to finish big chances and create for others has been crucial. He finished nine of Real Madrid’s 20 biggest chances and created 10 – making him one of the best in Spain for both.
It will be interesting to see how he fits into the diamond formation of Zidane’s team. He will probably be stationed forward in front of the overlapping fullbacks Marcelo and Dani Carvajal and drop deeper alongside Modric, Kroos, and Casemiro to create overloads and play one-twos.
Benzema and the rest of Madrid’s stars are gearing up for Wednesday’s All-Star Game in Chicago at Toyota Park. The MLS All-Stars, led by Chicago Fire coach Veljko Paunovic, boast a strong mix of longtime European stars, US national team leaders, and promising up-and-comers.
Luka Modric
Luka Modric is one of the world’s best central midfielders. He can make precision passes or win the ball back for his team. He joined Madrid in 2012 from Tottenham Hotspur and is now their captain.
Modric is known for his humility and dedication to his family and country. He has used his platform as a footballer to raise awareness of social issues in Croatia. He is also an ambassador for the Croatian Football Federation.
While at Real Madrid, Modric has developed into a top-class player. He was instrumental in their title win in 2016 and has since established himself as the key figure in the midfield.
He can play many different roles and is comfortable on either wing or as a deep-lying playmaker. His technical ability has made him a favorite with fans and critics alike. He is the captain of the Croatia national football team and is widely regarded as one of the best midfielders of his generation. He also won the 2016 La Liga award for Best Midfielder.
Isco
Francisco Roman Alarcon Suarez, or Isco, is a Spanish footballer who plays midfielder for Real Madrid and the Spain national team. He is a skilled player known for his close ball control and agility on the half-turn.
Isco has been in the starting lineup for all of Madrid’s league games this season, though he only has one goal and three assists. However, he is an important cog in the Madrid machine and will continue to be important for the club’s defense this season.
Despite being able to play in most positions, Isco is best known as a deep-lying playmaker and will continue to feature in that role for the club. He can also attack with flair from the right flank and will occasionally feature in that role.
With Gareth Bale battling an injury, Zidane has selected the more certainly match-fit Isco in his place against Liverpool. He will wear number 10. Luka Modric will be the central midfielder, while Dani Carvajal and Raphael Varane will feature as defenders.
