El Clásico: Real Madrid all-time XI by Tomás Roncero
Ahead of the first league meeting of Real Madrid and Barcelona since the Spanish Super Cup, Los Blancos biggest fan Tomás Roncero picks his Clásico best.
Real Madrid's self-determined greatest fan, Tomás Roncero, has looked back at the Clásicos played over the years and selected his best ever XI from those games.
Read Santi Giménez's all-time Barça Clásico XI
Real Madrid all-time Clásico XI
Iker Casillas: A legend of El Clásico. I remember well the two saves against Messi and Mathieu in the 3-1 win at the Bernabéu three seasons ago. Also, that impossible hand that prevented Xavi in the Camp Nou. Monumental save after monumental save...
Fernando Hierro: Leadership, authority, domination of the air. The Kaiser during the Clásicos of more than a decade in which his presence was fundamental for Los Blancos. His winning spirit was contagious and his drive for the team never diminished. I was I lot more relaxed watching a Clásico when he was on the pitch.
Sergio Ramos: His goal in the Camp Nou gave life to Madrid's LaLiga push in 2007 (which became known as LaLiga del Clavo Ardiendo) and his last minute goal the year after at our rival's home was just as important. Ramos is the heart of Madrid in these games and Barça give him maximum respect.
Jose Antonio Camacho: Although Roberto Carlos is the best left-back in the club's history, Camacho deserves his place in this Clásico-focused side for his guts and enthusiasm that rubbed off on others. Above all, I remember his model man-marking job on Johan Cruyff in the Bernabéu in 1974. We were victorious 1-0 and the Dutch star had little impact on the game.
Pirri: Holding things together in the centre of midfield in the '60s and '70s, José Martínez Sánchez was one of the pillars of the Madrid that dominated several Clásicos. Particular pride was in the 4-0 of the 1974 Copa final, his irrepressible character is legendary. Pirri scored plenty of Clásico goals and, in fact, debuted in 1964 when Madrid sent Barça home after a 4-1 humbling, a day also noted for Amancio's hat-trick.
Zinedine Zidane: The Swan, so graceful and always displaying his quality in the Clásicos of his era (2001-06). His lobbed goal against Bonano in the Camp Nou in the semi-final of the Champions League will go down in history. Later that volley in Glasgow's final against Bayer Leverkusen put him into legendary status. Zizou was also a proud man and stood up for the team. His 'face to face' with Luis Enrique in the Bernabéu is unforgettable.
Juanito: Juan, once-in-a-lifetime Juan. I'll never forget that Clásico of 1983 defined by his goal and another from Santillana leading to a 1-2 win. Accused by president Núñez of being a womaniser, the Málaga lad did his talking on the pitch and was key to the team's success. In the Clásicos he played with extreme motivation and that was infectious to those around him. Eternal Juanito.
Raúl: The image of him with his head open after a clash with Barça's Puyol at the Bernabéu reflects the pride and bravery that our eternal captain had in those games. His celebration after scoring in Camp Nou, silencing the stands, is an image that adorns the walls of many a Madrid supporters' club across the land. Nobody could stop Raúl in full flow.
Alfredo Di Stéfano: I stand in his honour. And Barcelona often did when they came up against The Blond Arrow. With Di Stéfano in the team there was no longer a rivalry… the pendulum swung completely in favour of Madrid. Alfredo marked the difference in the Clásico for more than a decade (1953-1965). His legacy was imprinting Real Madrid with his own indomitable spirit that makes Madrid what it is today: a legendary team.
Cristiano Ronaldo: The Best of the Clásicos. I have lost count of the amount of goals Cristiano has scored against Barcelona since he arrived at the Bernabéu in 2009. But I can never forget the header he powered past José Manuel Pinto in the 2011 Copa del Rey final or the golden goal he scored to secure the Liga title in 2011-12, silencing the Camp Nou. Or the goal he scored in the Bernabéu in the Super Cup second leg when he flicked the ball over Gerard Piqué, who was powerless to react. Cristiano is Barça’s nightmare. And one for Leo Messi, who has been condemned to occupy second place in the last few years as Real have gained the ascendancy.
Ferenc Puskas. “Cañoncito” Pum. That’s what even Barcelona called him in the late 1950s and early 1960s, when his booming left-foot drives destroyed the opposition. His hat-trick in a 5-1 victory in Camp Nou lives long in the Madridista memory, as does another in a 3-5 win in Barcelona in 1960-61. Paskas was a lethal marksman and Barcelona suffered immensely at his hands until he retired in 1966.
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