Antonio Adan: “I don't give up"

Antonio Adan does not passes through his best moments after everything that has happened in recent weeks. First he took the starting place against all odds replacing Casillas in Malaga. Then he was sent off in the start of the match at the Bernabeu against Real Sociedad and lost the site with Casillas but things got worse after the injury of the Real Madrid captain, because Adan has not been a starter from the arrival of Diego Lopez. So now the player is disappointed with Mourinho, and his uncle, Enrique Adan, has been very hard with Portuguese and Real Madrid in a chat with a journalist from Catalunya Radio.

Antonio Adan

"Adan is depressed, with lower spirits than usual and trains very sad. I talk a lot with him and is very hurt by this situation." These words were said yesterday by Enrique Adan, uncle of the goalkeeper of Real Madrid, in the Catalunya Radio microphones. The goalkeeper's uncle went on to add: "He will have to leave Real Madrid because if he does not play now, when Casillas is back, Antonio will stay to catch the medicine cabinet." Moreover, he said the Adan's family did not like at all Mourinho's attitude in this whole situation: "In the family we're all very angry with him. Adan has been very damaged in every way" he said.

The Real Madrid goalkeeper wanted to cut in on the latest news about his situation on the team. “I feel privileged as a professional football player and especially as a member of Real Madrid's first squad, which are two more than sufficient reasons to be happy. I’m not the type of guy who gives up and I come to Valdebebas every day with the intention of doing well and winning my coach’s confidence, and I have a very good relationship with him. I want to make clear that the impressions some people around me may have about me don’t match up with my impressions in this case. I’m only thinking about working and helping my team.”

Florentino Perez: Real Madrid will become very Spanish

Florentino Perez has a target to reach since in 2009 he announced that he would 'make Spanish' the Real Madrid. In just one year the white clun transfered the six Dutch players on the squad and in that first summer of his second term he signed Xabi Alonso, Arbeloa, Albiol and Granero, leaving the signings of Canales and Pedro Leon for 2010. But since then, the last three are no longer employed and Real Madrid has only signed Callejon and Diego Lopez. And at the same time, all kind of players have played for Real Madrid: Altintop, Sahin, Adebayor, Modric or Essien.

Dani Carvajal

The strategy the president has prepared in this section, and with the possible departure of Mourinho in June, is hiring Isco and Carvajal. The Malaga player is 20 years old (he won the Golden Boy trophy to the Best Player of Europe of his age) and  is an object of desire for many teams of European continent. The former Real Madrid player is 21 and white club saved a buyback clause with Bayer Leverkusen for 6.5 million euros, which will be executed in July.

On the other hand, there is the Jese problem. The first contacts between Jese Rodriguez's agent, Gines Carvajal, and Real Madrid have occurred long ago and both parties are bound to be understood. The player wants to succeed in the white team and Real Madrid president knows he is facing one of those players that do not arise from the academy every day.

For Jese, it's not a money issue, because both the player and his agent are aware that his professional football career has just begun. They want the good words from the club turn on a true story. If Real Madrid does not guarantee him being in the first team next season, his leaving from Real Madrid is for sure, something similar to what happened last year with Carvajal.

Jese Rodriguez: Real Madrid first team player or leave

Jese Rodriguez is very clear about his future; he becomes first team player of Real Madrid next season or, very reluctantly, he will have to prepare the bags and give up his dream of winning at the Bernabeu Stadium in white. The young striker contract ends on June 30 next year and is not willing to sign his renewal with Real Madrid if the club does not guarantee him by contract, to be a first team player for all purposes from next season.

Jese (Real Madrid Castilla player)

Yesterday, the earthquake caused by the interview in which he claimed a chance in the first team, had their replicas in three areas of the capital of Spain. First, at the offices of the Bernabeu, where nobody expected those statements of the jewel of the academy. Then in Valdebebas, where Mourinho was not happy with the words of Jese. And finally in Las Rozas, where the player was playing a game with the under-20 Spanish national team against Real Madrid Castilla. There, the Real Madrid imposed the law of silence for the young players of the white academy.

Jese Rodriguez: Hunting the 'Vulture'

One is a legend. The other, for now, is nothing but a future player. But the beginnings are the same; scoring without stopping in the Real Madrid Castilla. They are Emilio Butragueño and Jese Rodriguez. The young player wants to break the record of the 'El Buitre' ('Vulture'). Emilio holds the scoring record in a season playing for the R.M.Castilla with 21 goals in the 83-84 season, in which the youth squad was champion of the Spanish silver category. Jese has scored 13 in 24 matchdays, but he has played only 21.

Jese Rodriguez

Ahead of Jese Rodriguez there are other gunners, with a best record, who won an opportunity to play for the first Real Madrid team, but he has 18 games remaining to beat them. They are Negredo (16 goals in the 06-07 season), Soldado (20 in 05-06), Morales (14 in 93-94), Rosagro (20 in 88-89) and Aldana (15 in the 89-88).

Diego Lopez: "I am here to give it my all from the beginning"

Diego Lopez was unveiled as a new Real Madrid player at a press conference in Valdebebas after his transfer to the Whites was officially announced last Friday. The goalkeeper was accompanied in the act by the director of football, Miguel Pardeza, who wished him luck in this new chapter of his career and stated: “We are convinced that you will make a huge difference to the squad”. The youth-team product talked about his happiness and ambition on his return to the team: “I am delighted to be back at my home and at my club and I am really happy to be here. Everything is so similar to when I left: the facilities, the staff… I already feel fully settled into the day to day and I am genuinely very happy. Luckily, I am now an experienced player. Many things have changed since I left. I have many first division and European games under my belt and that reassures me and makes me confident in my abilities and strengths as a player. I know what I can bring to the team. When Real Madrid sign a player, they trust him and I think that it very important”.

Diego Lopez

The youth-team product is returning to the Whites six years after he left and he intends to work hard and give his all for the club: “I am here to give it my all from the beginning. They came to me for a reason. I am prepared and ready to play whenever the manager needs me. I am relaxed about that situation. I am confident that I will have a chance to play and that decision will be up to the manager. I am thinking about the day to day, Wednesday's game and helping the team and being prepared for whenever the manager needs me and gives me the opportunity. That is what I have always done and what I will continue to do. There are currently two keepers, I feel for Iker with his injury, and between the two of us we have to solve the problem and help the team".

Squad: Diego Lopez (25)

Diego Lopez

Diego Lopez Rodriguez (Paradela, Lugo, 03/11/1981) joined the Real Madrid academy in the 2000-01 season. He came from Lugo and along with his youth (18 years) and height (1.96m) he brought remarkable reflexes. The Galician played that season with Real Madrid C, in the 01-02 season he went on loan to Alcorcon and in the following year he returned to the Whites’ C team. In the 2003-04 season he took the step up and moved to Castilla. Following a year of adapting, Diego Lopez became the undisputed goalkeeper for the Real Madrid reserve team, with whom he would win promotion to the Second Division in 04-05. In the summer of 2005 he was included in the first team, making his Spanish League (La Liga) debut on 30th April 2006 (Osasuna 0-1 Real Madrid).

In 2007 he signed for Villarreal, where he stayed for five seasons. The great job that he did at the club in Castellon led to his international debut with Spain, which came in August 2009 in a friendly against Macedonia. Last summer he transferred to Sevilla and now, almost six years after his departure from the club, with the maturity that comes with age, his 181 matches and more than 16,000 minutes in the Spanish First Division, Diego Lopez returns to Real Madrid, with whom he will play until the end of the 2016-17 season.

Data

• Place of Birth: Paradela (Lugo)
• Date of Birth: 11/03/1981
• Position: Goalkeeper
• Weight: 89 kg.
• Height: 1,96 m.
• Nationality: Spanish

Honours

• Spanish League (La Liga): 2006/07

Real Madrid squad asks for a spokesperson to defend them

From the sadness of Cristiano Ronaldo and the multiple causes of it, has transcended a situation that not only worries Ronaldo. Other teammates, with importance in the dressing room, think there is a problem to solve: the absence of a weight spokesman to defend them unconditionally when necessary.

Florentino Perez with the Real Madrid captains

In one of the talks that have taken place in the last hours in Valdebebas, Cristiano Ronaldo complained to team captains and to other colleagues of the squad that there is no one at the club to protect them against the media attacks, especially at the end of the matches. For example, when CR7 has suffered insults, persecution by the opposing team or an opponent criticized him vehemently, the Portugues has missed an authoritative voice to talk to the media for a defense.

A view shared by some of his companions, who at certain times of the season have missed that figure, now played by Emilio Butragueño. However, the profile of 'El Buitre' does not respond to what is requested from the locker room, as the director of institutional relations avoids polemics. In that way, some people miss the figure of Jorge Valdano at the role of spokesman. The Argentinian was heard at the end of each meeting, and his words sounded louder. He also had praise for the players.

It is true that Mourinho fulfills that role. His speech, of course, is good for the squad. He usually defends his players unconditionally. But it is also true that the Portuguese coach is measuring, more than ever, his public appearances, so the shield of Mourinho is not always there. It is also considered in the locker room that when Aitor Karanka is coming to the press conference, his words do not have the same importance althought the content, how it could not be otherwise, is exactly the same.

Squad: Michael Essien

Michael Essien

When he signed for Chelsea in 2005, José Mourinho defined Essien as a "multifunctional" player. The Ghanaian international has a quality that stands out above everything else: his versatility. The Real Madrid player has spent most of his career in midfield but has also played at right-back and in central defence.

After shining for Ghana u-17s in the 1999 New Zealand World Cup, Essien took the leap into European football in 2000 to when signing for Bastia. Two seasons were enough to dazzle one of the Europe’s big clubs and he signed for Olympique Lyon in 2002. Three years later he ended up at Chelsea. His physical power is remarkable and makes him a great midfielder, but apart from that Essien also has the ability to organise attacks and score goals.

His powerful stature has earned him the nickname of The Bison. The Real Madrid player, who was described in the past by José Mourinho as an "athlete who can run for hours, a spectacular athlete", is a physical marvel. The Ghanaian will be coming to a coach who he already managed him at Chelsea for three seasons from 2005 to 2008.

For Essien football is not everything. The player is very committed to his country and to the living conditions there, especially of those most in need and of the children. Whenever he has the opportunity he participates in charity events.

Data

• Place of Birth: Accra (Ghana)
• Date of Birth: 12/03/1982
• Position: Midfielder
• Weight: 85 kg.
• Height: 177 cm
• Nationality: Ghanaian

Honours (Clubs / National team)

• Champions League: 2011/12
• English League: 2005/06, 2009/10 
• FA Cups: 2006/07, 2008/09, 2009/10, 2011/12
• Community Shield: 2009
• English League Cup: 2066/07
• French League titles: 2003/04, 2004/05

Honours (Individual)

• Best player in the French League: 2005

Squad: Luka Modric

Luka Modric

Luka Modric became Real Madrid's first signing for the 2012/13 season. The midfielder was Tottenham Hotspur's main playmaker and one of their greatest stars. Modric has great personality and creativity, which allow him to easily connect with teammates and organise the team's game. He is also an excellent assist-man and makes sacrifices for the team.

Born on 9 September 1985, Modric joined Dinamo Zagreb when he was only 16. The Croatian club loaned him to Bosnian First Division side Zrinjski in the 2003/04 campaign and he earned the Best Player award in the championship. He was then loaned to Zapresic, where his football and talent helped them finish second in the Croatian league. He returned to Dinamo in 2005.

In three seasons Modric truly bloomed and won three league titles, two Cups of Croatia and Best Player honours in 2007. Tottenham noticed him and he joined them in the summer of 2008. In four years, he helped turn the English side into one of the greats in the Premier League, reaching the top four in the 2009/10 and 2011/12 seasons, and reaching the Champions League quarterfinals in the 2010/11 campaign, where they lost to Real Madrid. Modric played 127 games in the Premier League, scoring 13 goals and serving 24 assists.

The midfielder is also the standout player on the Croatian national team, with whom he's played 57 encounters and netted eight strikes; he made the Euro 2008 Ideal Team. His international career began with the Under-21s, but he soon made his first team debut with Croatia in 2006 when he was only 20 years old in a 3-2 win over Argentina.

Real Madrid has a very talented and creative organiser in midfield, an offensive player who can assist his teammates and move the ball around intelligently while always working hard and making sacrifices for the good of the team.

Data

• Place of Birth: Zadar, Croatia
• Date of Birth: 09/09/1985
• Position: Midfielder
• Weight: 65 kg
• Height: 171 cm
• Nationality: Croatian

Honours (Club)

• Spanish Super Cup: 2012
• Croatian First League: 2005–06, 2006–07, 2007–08
• Croatian Cup: 2007, 2008
• Croatian Super Cup: 2006

Honours (Individual)

• Bosnian First League Player of the Year: 2003
• Croatian Football Hope of the Year: 2004
• Croatian First League Player of the Year: 2007
• UEFA Euro 2008 Team of the Tournament: 2008

Real Madrid players list 2012-2013

The distribution of jersey numbers that Real Madrid did officially yesterday puts the focus on two players, Sahin and Carvalho, destined to leave the team in the coming days. The Turkish, who will be loaned to a Premiership team, leaves the number 5 ​​to Coentrao (he wears the shirt number 5 with Portugal) and gets the 15 that had temporarily used the left-back last season. Meanwhile, as seen in the preseason matches, the number 2 jersey will be worn by Varane as substitute of Carvalho (the Portuguese central defender, who continues to train apart waiting to find a way out, has been assigned number 16 left by Altintop). Also on the list are the youth team players Morata and Jesus. Yesterday they worked at Valdebebas with Mourinho and the first team and were not in El Madrigal with Real Madrid Castilla. The forward will use the white shirt number 29 and the goalkeeper will wear the number 35.

Real Madrid jersey 2012-2013

Remains to be known the number that Modric will show when his signing becomes official. Aside from numbers 19 to 25, has been cleared the number 23. An important jersey in the recent history of Real Madrid. It was Beckham who turned it into a fetish number when he came to Madrid in summer 2003. It was ported by Sneijder in his first season (2007/08) and Van der Vaart (2008/09). The last player who wore that number was Özil, until he changed to 10. That is, the last owners of the jersey number 23 have been talent midfielders. As Modric.

Everything indicates that Real Madrid will announce the hiring of Croatian player next week. Mourinho wanted to get the signing before tomorrow's first match of the season, but it will take more. The Portuguese coach will have to wait for closing his squad. In addition, Real Madrid has to close the transfer of players like Sahin and Carvalho.

Update: 01/26/2013

Real Madrid players list

1.- Iker Casillas
2.- Varane
3.- Pepe
4.- Sergio Ramos
5.- F. Coentrao
6.- Khedira
7.- Ronaldo
8.- Kaka
9.- Benzema
10.- Özil
12.- Marcelo
13.- Adan

14.- Xabi Alonso
15.- Essien
16.- Carvalho
17.- Arbeloa
18.- Raul Albiol
19.- Modric
20.- Higuain
21.- Callejon
22.- Di Maria
25.- Diego Lopez
29.- Morata
35.- Jesus Fernandez

Squad: Jesus Fernandez (35)

Jesus Fernandez

A goalkeeper with good balance he is strong in one-on-one situations. Quick reflexes, agile, his positioning and dominance in the air are his main weapons in goal. He is an effective, dynamic goalkeeper and has ball distribution worthy of admiration.

His time with teams that have fought in the Second Division has helped him to gain the experience to play in goal for the subsidiary. He has already made his first team debut (Real Madrid, 8; Almeria 1) and has participated in two pre-season tours whilst José Mourinho has been in charge, in the US and in China.

Data

• Place of Birth: Madrid, Spain
• Date of Birth: 11/06/1988
• Position: Goalkeeper
• Weight: 83 kg.
• Height: 190 cm.
• Nationality: Spanish

Honours

• Spanish Super Cup: 2012

Squad: Alvaro Morata (29)

Alvaro Morata

Alvaro Morata is a very complete striker. Fast in attack, skilled, able to go past players and he has a good character. A killer in the area and always amongst the top scorers in all of the teams he has played in. His quality, goal-scorer’s instinct and opportunism have helped him to keep his spot through the lower ages groups for Spain.

He arrived at Real Madrid in 2008 from Getafe to play in the under-18 teams. He has since become one of the Factory’s most valuable products and had his debut with the first team in Zaragoza, 1, Real Madrid, 3, at the hands of José Mourinho. In his first season with Castilla he was the top scorer of the Second Division Group B. He led Spain to victory in the u-19 European Championships. This season he travelled to the United States with the first team.

Data

• Place of Birth: Madrid, Spain
• Date of Birth: 10/23/1992
• Position: Forward
• Weight: 82 kg.
• Height: 190 cm.
• Nationality: Spanish

Honours (Clubs / National team)

• La Liga (Spanish League): 2011/12
• Copa del Rey (Spanish Cup): 2010/11
• Spanish Super Cup: 2012
• Under-19 European Championship: 2011

Real Madrid 2016

Real Madrid 2016 is a reality. The white team is ensuring the long-term continuity of the 'Project Mourinho'. The first renewal to be announced was the Portuguese coach himself, who extended his contract two years, until 2016. On the same line is Alvaro Arbeloa, who only needs the signature to renew until that year.

The club's offer came a few weeks ago, as was reported by Spanish media on May 12. Just days after, the deal is practically closed. The positions were always very close, since both the club and the player feel comfortable with each other. So, lacking a few details, can say that Alvaro Arbeloa is renewed.

The side, who is summoned with the Spanish national team in Austria, has seen the club has reinforced its commitment to him. Although from the Bernabeu offices is being observed the world market in search of a rival to the right lane, Mourinho is delighted with his 'Spartan', after the Sergio Ramos' change of position. Arbeloa has been the owner of the right side of Madrid. So although there may be a new tenant in place, Arbeloa will remain important.

Real Madrid squad supports Jose Mourinho

With this extension, half of the players in the current squad are under contract beyond 2016. And will be more, because the club intends to renew Granero, whose contract ends in 2013, and Cristiano Ronaldo, ends in 2015. "There is no player who can not stay until 2016. Most of them will do in the top of their careers. Some will do in the final stretch, but they will come without any problem because of their abilities", said Mourinho after his renovation.

In 2013 will finish the contracts of Lass and Granero. In 2014, the contracts of Xabi Alonso, Raul Albiol and Adan. In 2015 the contracts of the 'galactics' signed in 2009 will end: Cristiano, Kaka and Benzema, with Khedira, Marcelo and Altintop. Until 2016 will go the contracts of Özil, Higuain, Di Maria, Pepe, Callejon and Arbeloa. And for 2017 will end the captains' contracts, Casillas and Ramos, in addition to the signings of last season Varane, Sahin and Coentrao.

That is, 77% of the workforce is under contract with Real Madrid, at least for the next three seasons, with the possibility of more. As well as Granero and CR7, Real Madrid will try to secure the future for Benzema who has completed his third season in white always improving.

So beyond the two signings that wants to hire Mourinho, the manager made ​​sure to be surrounded by his Praetorian Guard, including its technical body until 2016.

Squad: Jose Mourinho (Coach)

Jose Mourinho

Jose Mourinho (Setubal, Portugal, 26-1-1963) joined Real Madrid one week after winning the Champions League title with Inter Milan at the Santiago Bernabeu. The Nerazzurri hadn't won the title in 45 years, but under the Portuguese coach Inter also won the Italian Scudetto and the Cup of Italy during the 2009/10 season; the first-ever treble in club history. Mourinho also won the Scudetto in his first season at Inter, as well as the Italian Super Cup.

Earlier in his career, Mourinho won six titles in three years at Chelsea. During his first year at Stamford Bridge, he won the Premier League and the Carling Cup. Chelsea won the Premiership again the following year after a tight race with Manchester United throughout the season, which the Blues opened by winning the Community Shield. Mourinho led Chelsea to victory in the FA Cup and the Carling Cup during the 2006/07 campaign.

Before leaving for England, Mourinho won the second Champions League title for Porto in 2004 as well as the Portuguese league title (the first for Porto in four years). With the Portuguese side he also won one UEFA Cup, one Cup of Portugal and one Portuguese Super Cup.

Data

• Place of Birth: Setubal, Portugal
• Date of Birth: 26 January 1963
• Nationality: Portuguese

Honours

• Champions League: 2004 (Porto), 2010 (Inter)
• UEFA Cup: 2003 (Porto)

• Spanish League: 2011/12
• Scudettos: 2008/09, 2009/2010 (Inter)
• Premier League: 2004/05, 2005/06 (Chelsea)
• Portuguese League: 2002/03, 2003/04 (Porto)

• Spanish Cup: 2010/11 (Real Madrid)
• Italian Cup: 2009/10 (Inter)
• F.A. Cup: 2006/07 (Chelsea)
• Carling Cup: 2004/05, 2006/07 (Chelsea)
• Cup of Portugal: 2002/03 (Porto)

• Spanish Super Cup: 2012
• Italian Super Cup: 2008 (Inter)
• Community Shield: 2005 (Chelsea)
• Portuguese Super Cup: 2003 (Porto)

Personal accolades:

• FIFA World Coach of the Year: 2010
• IFFHS Best Coach award: 2004, 2005, 2010
• UEFA Best Coach: 2002/03, 2003/04
• League Managers Association (LMA) Hall of Fame: Inducted 2010
• Best coach of the Italian League: 2009
• Best Coach of the Premier League: 2004/05, 2005/06
• Best Coach of the Portuguese league: 2002/03, 2003/04

Squad: Gonzalo Higuain (20)

Gonzalo Higuain

Gonzalo Higuaín jumped onto the world football stage after being named Breakthrough Player on Argentina’s 2006 Torneo Apertura. "Pipita" is known for his speed in the last third of the pitch, his great striking ability, and his precisionpassing. Quick, elegant, and a knack for decision-making make Higuaín a fashionable forward in today's world of football.

Higuaín scored his first goal as Madridista against Atletico Madrid at the Vicente Calderón Stadium in 2006/07. His propensity for scoring in derbies dates back to his first Boca-River clash, when he led Los Millonarios to victory with a stunning brace. During his first year with Real Madrid he was criticised for rushing his shots on goal, but his few successful finishes were worth their weight in gold; Higuaín netted the game winner in the team’s amazing 4-3 comeback against Espanyol and lit a spark under his teammates in the season-closer against Mallorca.

Whether he plays close to the six-yard box or along the right wing, Higuaín has what it takes to be a goal-scoring machine.

Data

• Place of Birth: Brest, France
• Date of Birth: 12/10/1987
• Position: Forward
• Weight: 81.5 kg
• Height: 184 cm
• Nationality: Argentine/French

Honours

• La Liga (Spanish League): 2006/07, 2007/08, 2011/12
• Copa del Rey (Spanish Cup): 2010/11
• Spanish Super Cup: 2008, 2012

Squad: Karim Benzema (9)

Karim Benzema

Karim Benzema was born in Lyon, France on 19 December 1987 to a working class family originally from northern Algeria; roots that defined his mature yet simple character. The early days of his life as a footballer began at the age of 9 with Olympique Lyonnais, a club he had never left until signing for Real Madrid. He was one of the youth system’s most outstanding players and scored 38 goals in one season with the Under-16 side followed by the UEFA European Under-17 title with France in 2004. He debuted with Lyon’s first team on 15 January 2005 against Metz. Although he did not score, he did provide an assist to Bryan Bergougnoux, who scored the winning goal. Despite the fact that Benzema had been crowned champion of Europe, club staff didn’t want to rush the player’s development and only played him in six matches that season. He did however go on to score 12 goals in 14 matches with France’s Under-18 side.

The following year he played in 13 matches, scored one goal and made his Champions League debut against Rosenborg. He played in 21 matches and scored five goals in 2006/07, but Benzema really exploded onto the scene in 2007/08. Lyon won the Ligue 1 title for the seventh straight year as well as the Coupe de France. It was also the year he debuted with the French national team. On 28 March 2007 Benzema suited up for Les Bleus against Austria and scored his first international goal. The major thorn in his side was the 2008 Euro after France fell in the opening round. This season was especially bittersweet for the striker. His coach kept him on a relatively tight leash, allowing Benzema to score just 17 goals in 36 matches. Despite being eliminated by Barcelona in the Last 16 of the Champions League, Benzema did manage to score five goals in Europe’s top competition.

Benzema’s football is based on tremendous strength, his wicked moves, unlimited ball skills and a superb strike. The Madridista striker is intelligent and dominates every facet of what his position demands. He is an animal inside the box when his team needs him and he is the perfect man to initiate a counter-attack when his teammates feel pressured.

Data

• Place of Birth: Lyon, France
• Date of Birth: 12/19/1987
• Position: Forward
• Weight: 83.5 kg
• Height: 184.1 cm
• Nationality: French

Honours

• La Liga (Spanish League). 2011/12
• Copa del Rey (Spanish Cup): 2010/11
• Spanish Super Cup: 2012
• Ligue 1: 2004/05, 2005/06, 2006/07, 2007/08
• Coupe de France: 2008
• Trophée de Champions: 2005, 2006, 2007

Squad: Cristiano Ronaldo (7)

Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo was born and raised in a working class neighborhood on the Portuguese island of Madeira. He officially began playing football in 2003 for Clube Futebol Andorinha de Santo Antonio. By the age of ten, the islands more prominent teams began expressing interest in the phenom. Ronaldo joined Nacional da Ilha da Madeira, where he continued his meteoric rise and one year later was on the move to Lisbon, where he signed for Sporting in 2001. He is still the only player in club history to be promoted by four academy teams until debuting with the first team in one season. Ronaldo scored a brace in his first match against Deportivo Moreirense and went on to win the Superliga that same year as a mainstay One season later he made his European debut in a Champions League qualifier against Inter.

The turning point of his career was a brilliant performance during a friendly against Manchester United in 2001. Ferguson later admitted that his players couldn’t stop talking about Ronaldo. Even on the flight back to England, players of the likes of Roy Keane and Van Nistelrooy insisted that the manager sign Cristiano. The official announcement was made one week later after ManU paid £12.24 million for his services; a record transfer fee for an adolescent.

Cristiano Ronaldo perfected his skills in the following years and also managed to stand out for his intelligence and great physique. He would go on to win the Ballon d’Or, the Golden Boot, the FIFA World Player award, the FIFPro award, the UEFA Club Forward of the Year distinction, and became the top-scorer of the Champions League.

The Madridista forward made his international debut on 20 August 2003 against Kazakhstan and has since become the captain of Portugal, who he led into action in the 2010 World Cup.

Data

• Place of Birth: Madeira, Portugal
• Date of Birth: 02/05/1985
• Position: Forward
• Weight: 84.5 kg
• Height: 186.5 cm
• Nationality: Portuguese

Honours (Clubs / National team)

• Super League: 2002
• FA Cup: 2004
• Football League Cup: 2006, 2009
• Premier League: 2007, 2008, 2009
• Community Shield: 2007, 2008
• UEFA Champions League: 2008
• FIFA Club World Cup: 2008
• Copa del Rey (Spanish Cup): 2010/11
• La Liga (Spanish League): 2011/12
• Spanish Super Cup: 2012

Honours (Individual)

• Bravo Trophy: 2004
• FIFPro Special Young Player of the Year: 2005, 2006
• Portuguese Footballer of the Year: 2006, 2007
• FA Premier League Player of the Year 2007
• Ballon d'Or runner-up: 2007
• FIFA World Player, third place: 2007
• UEFA Champions League Top-Scorer: 2008
• Golden Boot: 2008, 2011
• UEFA Club Footballer of the Year: 2008
• UEFA Club Forward of the Year: 2008
• FIFPro World Player of the Year: 2008
• Ballon d'Or (Golden Ball): 2008
• FIFA World Player 2008

Squad: Angel Di Maria (22)

Angel Di Maria

Angel di Maria is a versatile left winger who can play just as well along the right or serve as a second attacker. The youngster has already garnered accolades on both club and national team levels.

In 2007 Di Maria won the Under-20 World Championship with Argentina and one year later scored the Gold Medal winner in the Olympic Games, where he played alongside Madridista teammates Gago and Garay. In 2009/10 with Benfica, Di Maria won the double and one year prior won the Portuguese League Cup.

The midfielder began his career at Rosario Central and moved to Portugal in the summer of 2007. Three summers later, he found himself on international duty in the 2010 World Cup. His debut with the Argentine national team took place on 6 September 2009 in what was a World Cup qualifier against Paraguay.

Data

• Place of Birth: Rosario, Argentina
• Date of Birth: 02/14/1988
• Position: Midfielder
• Weight: 75 kg
• Height: 180 cm
• Nationality: Argentine

Honours (Clubs / National team)

• La Liga (Spanish League): 2011/12
• Copa del Rey (Spanish Cup): 2010/11
• Spanish Super Cup: 2012
• Portuguese Liga: 2009/10
• Portuguese League Cup: 2008/09, 2009/10
• Olympic Gold Medal: 2008
• Under-20 World Championship: 2007

Honours (Individual)

• Best Player of the Portuguese Liga: 2009/10

Squad: Lass Diarra (23)

Lass Diarra

Determined to become a football player, he joined Nantes' youth system as a child and later landed at Le Mans, with whom he played in the French Second Division. The most recent French side he played for was Le Havre (2003-05).

Chelsea took interest in Lass and signed him in 2005, making him the youngest player in club history. He won the Premiership and a Carling Cup with the Blues. He later moved to Arsenal, where he remained only half a season before joining Portsmouth, where he would immediately see more playing time and become one of the top players in the Premiership.

Diarra is strong, solid in defence and covers a large part of the pitch. He is excellent in the aerial game despite not being too tall and he is capable of scoring goals from a distance thanks to a powerful shot. His versatility allows him to play both as a midfielder and as a right back.

Data

• Place of Birth: Paris, France
• Date of Birth: 10/03/1986
• Position: Midfielder
• Weight: 73 kg
• Height: 172.2 cm
• Nationality: French

Honours

• La Liga (Spanish League): 2011/12
• Copa del Rey (Spanish Cup): 2010/11
• Spanish Super Cup: 2012
• Carling Cup: 2007
• FA Cup: 2007, 2008

Squad: Jose Callejon (21)

Jose Callejon

Jose Maria was born in Motril (Granada) on 11 February 1987. He joined Real Madrid's academy in September 2002 following a stint at Agrupacion Deportiva de Futbol Costa Tropical. His brother Juan Miguel, who currently plays for Cordoba, also joined the club.

Callejon started out on the Under-16 side, climbing up the ladder until he became a Real Madrid C player at the start of the 2006/07 campaign - he played some games with the third team during the previous year. He was promoted to Castilla in the 2007/08 season and made his international debut with Spain's Under-21 side on 25 March 2008 against Kazakhstan, scoring one goal.

Real Madrid transferred Callejon to Espanyol in the summer of that year. He made his Firtst Division debut with the Barcelona team against Getafe on 3 September. He arrived as a striker, but adapted to the winger position down either side thanks to his versatility, speed and dribbling skills.

Data

• Place of Birth: Motril (Spain)
• Date of Birth: 02/11/1987
• Position: Midfielder
• Weight: 73 kg
• Height: 179 cm
• Nationality: Spanish

Honours

• La Liga (Spanish League): 2011/12
• Spanish Super Cup: 2012