Barca V Real: The Dream Teams

CorkMan

Saw this big 13,500 worded document on the BBC website there. The BBC reporter gives his views on Real and Barca's best teams of the 21st century. He goes in-depth on each players and how we wold expect it to pan out.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/jonathanstevenson/2011/04/real_v_barca_teams_of_the_cent.html

Excellent read.

super_furry

Sounds like the plot of Rocky Balboa. Man I hope Di Stefano reads it and decides to come out of retirement for one more match.

Davaeo09

Good read, acurately describes the value that each and everyone of those players were truly worth!

Yakult

copy and paste for us mobile users? :pac:

Otis Driftwood

Yakult wrote: »

copy and paste for us mobile users? :pac:

Madrid

Goalkeeper: Iker Casillas.
Easy enough to pick Spain's World Cup-winning captain, not least because he's worn Real's number one jersey with distinction since 1999, thus rendering anyone else pretty much irrelevant. Super reflexes, quick off his line and brave too.
Did you know? Despite not turning 30 until May, Casillas has played more than 400 league and 100 Champions League games for Real, and has more than 100 caps for Spain.

Right-back: Michel Salgado.
Salgado or Sergio Ramos - arguably the hardest choice in the Real XI. Salgado nicks it because of his superior defensive ability, needed in such an attack-minded side. If you want to know what he makes of Clasicos, read his column in this month's FourFourTwo. "Hate is a strong word, but Madrid want Barcelona to lose everything," he says.
Did you know? Salgado is married to former Real Madrid president Lorenzo Sanz's daughter.

Left-back: Roberto Carlos.
Save for Paolo Maldini, if there has been a better left-back in the past 20 years I haven't seen him. Carlos gave the team energy, pace and attacking threat down that flank - and could you ever take your eyes off that stuttering run-up and thunderous free-kick?
Did you know? Carlos is the only non-European player with more than 100 Champions League appearances.

Centre-back: Fernando Hierro.Real's skipper and inspiration, Hierro's never-say-die attitude made him the perfect foil for the creative whizz-kids at the other end of the pitch. He won La Liga five times and the Champions League three more in a stellar spell at the Bernabeu. "He was the captain of captains," said Raul.
Did you know? Hierro played in Real's Champions League final wins in 1998, 2000 and 2002. They have not been in the final since his departure.

Centre-back: Fabio Cannavaro.
Perhaps joined Real a shade after the best part of his career, but nonetheless a wonderful defender - and still the only one to be named Fifa Player of the Year. Cannavaro filled Zidane's vacant number five shirt with relish and won the league in his first two seasons in Madrid.
Did you know? On 12 August, 2009, Cannavaro won his 127th Italy cap - taking him ahead of the previous record holder, Paolo Maldini.

Centre-midfield: Claude Makelele.Selling Makelele was perhaps the biggest mistake Real have made this century. With him, their phalanx of attacking players were free to create carnage; without him, they were rudderless. "We won't miss Makelele, his technique is average," said president Florentino Perez in 2003. After the signing of David Beckham, Zinedine Zidane begged to differ: "Why put another layer of gold paint on the Bentley when you are losing the entire engine?"
Did you know? Makelele has appeared in a record eight Champions League semi-finals.

Centre-midfield: Zinedine Zidane.A player of more astounding technical skills it is hard to imagine. Joined for a world record £46m in 2001 and blessed Spanish football with his captivating class until retiring after that World Cup final in 2006. The three-time Fifa Player of the Year's goal in the 2002 Champions League final will live long in the memory.
Did you know? In April 2002, Zidane became the first Real player since Canario in November 1960 to score a European goal at Barcelona's Camp Nou.

Right midfield: Luis Figo.Gets the nod ahead of David Beckham because on his day the Portuguese winger was unstoppable. Joined from Barca in 2000 in one of the most controversial transfers of all time and enjoyed a wonderful seven years in Madrid, being named the world's finest footballer in 2001 and going on to win a record 127 caps for his country.
Did you know? In the last 50 years, eight players have moved from Barca to Real. Only one - Figo - has had a pig's head thrown at him as a result.

Left midfield: Cristiano Ronaldo.The sheer volume of goals he has scored in almost two seasons at the Bernabeu almost beggars belief. He bagged 33 last season and already has 41 this time around - if it was not for Lionel Messi, he would be comfortably the most talked-about player on Earth. Finally got through a Clasico without defeat on Saturday, too.
Did you know? Ronaldo's buy-out clause is reportedly worth €1bn.

Striker: Raul.A goalscoring machine whose heart belongs to Real Madrid. He left the club last summer after 16 trophy-laden years and 323 goals in 741 matches. Raul was a creator and a predator all rolled into one. "Real buy these big players like Figo, Zidane and Ronaldo but I think the best player in the world is Raul," said Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson in 2003.
Did you know? Raul moved to Real after Atletico Madrid chairman Jesus Gil shut down their youth academy where he was training.

Striker: Ronaldo.
The best thing about Il Fenomeno's retirement from football in February was the spate of highlights reels flying around showcasing the Brazilian in his magnificent prime. A striker of unparalleled physical power combined with an oft-overlooked finesse, before he was left ravaged by injury Ronaldo was unplayable.
Did you know? Ronaldo scored 47 goals in 49 games for Barcelona in the 1996-97 season, aged 20.

Manager: Vicente del Bosque.A Real man through and through. He won La Liga five times in a fine playing career at the Bernabeu and remains the last man to lead Real to the Champions League trophy, in 2002. Was bizarrely sacked a year later, one day after the club had won their 29th league title.
Did you know? Del Bosque was awarded the honorary title of Marquis by King Juan Carlos after leading Spain to World Cup victory in South Africa.

Barcelona

Goalkeeper: Victor Valdes.
Almost as easy a choice as Casillas - it's easy to forget the 29-year-old Valdes has been Barca's first-choice keeper since midway through the 2003-04 season. After some shaky displays in the early days he has improved year after year and has won the Zamora Trophy for best keeper in Spain three times to Casillas's one.
Did you know? Since the 2001-02 season, Valdes leads La Liga in clean sheets - he has 131, Casillas 129.

Right-back: Dani Alves.A man who tends to divide football fans in half. On the plus side he is a destructive force down Barca's right, starting attacks and creating goals and defying science with his boundless energy. But his play-acting and argumentative nature sometimes deflect from what a good player he is. Labelled his "natural successor" for Brazil by the great Cafu - no mean feat when Alves is competing with Maicon for the right-back privilege.
Did you know? Alves has assisted 13 goals in La Liga this season - second only to Lionel Messi.

Left-back: Gio van Bronckhorst.
Arguably under-rated as a full-back having started his career in midfield, 'Gio' was unwanted by Arsenal, 28 and on his way back from a year out with a cruciate knee ligament injury when he arrived at the Camp Nou in 2003. But he forged a superb alliance with Ronaldinho down the Barca left and helped them to two league titles and the Champions League in 2006.
Did you know? When Van Bronckhorst left Barca in 2007, it ended a 10-year period in which the Catalan club had employed at least one Dutchman.

Centre-back: Carles Puyol.The heart and soul of Barcelona since he pulled on the famous Blaugrana shirt in October 1999. Puyol, a born and bred Catalan, has been club captain since 2004 and puts his body on the line every time he wears the armband. "Barca are the team every Catalan child wants to play for... I am living the dream," he once said.
Did you know? Puyol's surprise appearance after injury on Saturday was his 23rd in Clasicos. He hasn't missed a league match against Real since March 2001.

Centre-back: Gerard Pique.Puyol's partner in crime since returning to the Camp Nou in May 2008 after a four-year spell at Manchester United. Tall, elegant, a masterful reader of the game despite only being 24, and with the ability to step out of defence and start attacks, Pique could turn into one of the great defenders of any era. Already has 13 major trophies to his name.
Did you know? Real Madrid have banned the 2010 World Cup song 'Waka Waka' since it emerged singer Shakira is in a relationship with Pique.

Centre-midfield: Xavi.Arguably the world's best midfield player, it took Xavi a while to get the plaudits his perfect passing deserves, despite making his Barca debut all the way back in 1998. Unerringly accurate, he regularly completes more than 100 passes in a game, set up four goals in Barca's 6-2 win at Real a year ago, and was man of the match in the 2009 Champions League final against Man United.
Did you know? Xavi, who this season surpassed Migueli as Barca's record appearance maker, bought his mum a toaster with his first paycheck.

Centre-midfield: Deco.
Combative and skilful, Deco had one eye for a tackle and the other one for goal and the Brazilian-born Portuguese was a crucial component in the Frank Rijkaard era. His terrific work-rate made him the perfect foil for Ronaldinho - Luiz Felipe Scolari once said their partnership could "make rain fall".
Did you know? Along with Paulo Sousa and Secretario, one of only three Portuguese players to win the Champions League with two different clubs.

Centre-midfield: Andres Iniesta.Another, like Xavi, who had to wait his turn to be appreciated. Iniesta's astonishing technical skills and reading of the game might have endeared him to the Barca fans, but his lack of goals was regularly highlighted as a major weakness for an attacking midfielder. Winners against Chelsea in the 2009 Champions League semi-final and the Netherlands in the 2010 World Cup final appear to have changed that.
Did you know? Iniesta's name has been applauded at every Spanish ground this season because of his winner in Johannesburg last summer.

Left forward: Ronaldinho.How many other Barca players have ever been given a standing ovation in the Bernabeu? Ronaldinho was signed in 2003 after Barca missed out on David Beckham - perhaps the biggest slice of luck in the Catalan club's recent history. For three years he was out of this world; with that galloping stride, those mesmerising feet and a smile that charmed us all, in full flow he was truly a sight to behold.
Did you know? Ronaldinho scored five Clasico goals in the space of 18 months from November 2004 to April 2006.

Right forward: Lionel Messi.The heir to Diego Maradona's throne in an Argentina shirt and Ronaldinho's in a Barca one - and he may yet go on to be better than them both. Messi is only 23, yet has been named the best player on Earth twice and this season already has 49 goals, breaking the Spanish record he already held with the Brazilian Ronaldo and Ferenc Puskas. Electric feet, clinical finishing, implausible balance... where will it all end?
Did you know? After watching a 16-year-old Messi against his Juventus side in a friendly in 2003, Fabio Capello asked: "Who is this little devil?"

Striker: Samuel Eto'o.
Goals, goals, goals. Eto'o, mind-bogglingly cast away by Real Madrid, was a guaranteed 25-a-season man and with the likes of Xavi, Iniesta, Deco, Ronaldinho and Messi teeing him up, he never disappointed. Eto'o scored in the 2006 and 2009 Champions League finals and left the club with Barca's first Treble as his legacy.
Did you know? Aged 15, Eto'o arrived at Madrid airport in 1996 to find Real had forgotten to send a representative to pick him up.

Manager: Pep Guardiola.Could have made it into the team; after all, midfield general Guardiola only left Barca in 2001 after a successful 11-year spell. Returned to coach Barcelona B in 2007 and was - riskily - made first-team boss only a year later, winning the Treble in his first season as a coach. His contract runs out at the end of next season and Guardiola has hinted he may call it a day, but no-one in Catalonia will want him to leave.

T-b0n3

Great read, thanks OP.

MD1990

where's Rivaldo?

Otis Driftwood

MD1990 wrote: »

where's Rivaldo?

Very good question actually.You could argue the toss for his inclusion rather than Deco.

I guess the primary reason must be that he only played for 2 seasons in the noughties.

Luis21

No Rivaldo or Luis Enrique for the Barca team ? Deco ? F-off !

T-b0n3

Big question, who'd win??!

I'd have to say Barca, but then again, I'm biased towrads them!

Barca team lacks Lucho. He was a hero to the fans back when they badly needed one, and won everything except the Champions League at Barca. And he could play any position so verrrry easy to put him in, ahead of Gio perhaps.....

Also, Rivaldos 2 seasons in the noughties are irrelevant if CR7 is in Reals team.....

CorkMan

Deleted User wrote: »

Barca team lacks Lucho. He was a hero to the fans back when they badly needed one, and won everything except the Champions League at Barca. And he could play any position so verrrry easy to put him in, ahead of Gio perhaps.....

Also, Rivaldos 2 seasons in the noughties are irrelevant if CR7 is in Reals team.....

Good point.

curry-muff

Came across another one of Jonathan Stevenson's interesting blogs the other day and I don't think I've seen it mentioned here yet, basically he's took his Barca/Real dream team based on players who have been playing post 2000.

The product is two amazing teams, I just thought I would create this thread to gauge other peoples opinions on the two and perhaps have some people produce their own versions and versions from other teams.

Heres what Stevo threw up:

Barca



Real



Both teams are absolutely brilliant and Im sure some of the choices may even be debatable.

I'm swinging towards Real myself, I think they're the stronger all round team.

His writeup can be found here

Real v Barca: teams of the century

Ebbs

Real's team tbh, mostly due to the defence/'keeper.

People forget how good players on Real's side really were. Ronaldo was simply amazing, yet never gets a mention like some other players of his generation. Mekele too, he was simply class. So under rated because the role he played but a joy to watch for anybody who actually appeciates proper football.

Some of the players being left out just show the absolute class of both sides, no space for Villa, Rivaldo, etc proves that.

The one thing about both sides is, I would have loved if we got to see the RRR combination at club level. They were simply amazing in the world cup, wish we got to see more of them.

Schism

So what's the deal with Figo?

Is he saying he wasn't good enough for the Barcelona XI or just decided he has to go on one of them and Madrid had space!

It's also a real nod to Barcelona's current team considering how many have made the cut.

Blatter

The only debatable choice there is the inclusion of Gio.

Personally I'd have gone with Abidal. Less of a threat going forward but far more reliable in defense. Close one though.

pickarooney

Schism wrote: »

So what's the deal with Figo?

Is he saying he wasn't good enough for the Barcelona XI or just decided he has to go on one of them and Madrid had space!

It's also a real nod to Barcelona's current team considering how many have made the cut.

Probably just that Figo left Barcelona in 2000 when he started counting players.

jive

Why isn't Ronaldo in the Barca team too? Also I'd take Ramos over Salgado

tdv123

jive wrote: »

Why isn't Ronaldo in the Barca team too? Also I'd take Ramos over Salgado

If you read the article you would know.

James Forde

questionable having Cannavaro in the Real team, he really didn't have the greatest spell while he was there.

He was immense coming off the back of the world cup in 2006 but he never really hit the heights that were expected of him.

Similar thing happened with Walter Sameul.

tdv123

bryanjf wrote: »

questionable having Cannavaro in the Real team, he really didn't have the greatest spell while he was there.

He was immense coming off the back of the world cup in 2006 but he never really hit the heights that were expected of him.

Similar thing happened with Walter Sameul.

Yeah I think Campo or Helguera would have been better choices. I remember Cannavaro had a lot of nightmare games during his spell at Madrid.

Blatter

bryanjf wrote: »

questionable having Cannavaro in the Real team, he really didn't have the greatest spell while he was there.

He was immense coming off the back of the world cup in 2006 but he never really hit the heights that were expected of him.

Similar thing happened with Walter Sameul.

Who would you put in instead of him though, Helguera? Pepe? Ramos?

There's not much between any of them and Cannavaro. All have been decent at the club but uninspiring at times.

James Forde

SOCCER4LIFE wrote: »

Who would you put in instead of him though, Helguera? Pepe? Ramos?

There's not much between any of them and Cannavaro. All have been decent at the club but uninspiring at times.

A lot more was expected of Cannavaro he was just named Player of the Year and Player of the world cup*

Not questioning him for one second as player, he was awesome.

But for Madrid he was fairly pants.

Helguera would be a good shout, but he played in midfield a bit too

*don't quote me on that

jive

tdv123 wrote: »

If you read the article you would know.

Can't be arsed reading an article on 2 fictional teams. You could have just said why instead of that comment lmao.

James Forde

jive wrote: »

Can't be arsed reading an article on 2 fictional teams. You could have just said why instead of that comment lmao.

the thread is about two fictional teams.....................

eagle eye

This guy is obviously very young because he is missing so many greats.

Edit: I see its since 2000 only.

curry-muff

eagle eye wrote: »

This guy is obviously very young because he is missing so many greats.

Edit: I see its since 2000 only.

Yeah, in the article he says that he wanted to make it 2000 and after because he didn't want the article to look weird with a photo of someone who looks about 14 choosing greats like Alfredo di Stefano and Ladislao Kubala whom he wouldn't have grown up watching. It was also to maximise the familiarity as he says probably 99% of the people reading the article will have seen all the players in action.

eagle eye

Have to say I'd have Marquez in there ahead of Pique. And Abidal ahead of Gio.

jive

bryanjf wrote: »

the thread is about two fictional teams.....................

Yeah and I gave my opinion on it? Looking at a team sheet and giving my opinion on it and reading other people's opinons is enjoyable and isn't much effort. Reading an article about some of the worlds most famous players I already know all about is boring and excessive. I wanted to know why Ronaldo is included in one team but not the other; I didn't realise that an answer would unleash the fury of boards members who wouldn't just answer a simple question.

Inb4 just read the article

curry-muff

jive wrote: »

Yeah and I gave my opinion on it? Looking at a team sheet and giving my opinion on it and reading other people's opinons is enjoyable and isn't much effort. Reading an article about some of the worlds most famous players I already know all about is boring and excessive. I wanted to know why Ronaldo is included in one team but not the other; I didn't realise that an answer would unleash the fury of boards members who wouldn't just answer a simple question.

Inb4 just read the article

If you couldn't be bothered to read the thread properly there is no point in posting in it.

The teams are based on post 2000, Ronaldo played for Barca from 1996-7

jive

curry-muff wrote: »

If you couldn't be bothered to read the thread properly there is no point in posting in it.

The teams are based on post 2000, Ronaldo played for Barca from 1996-7

I read the thread just not the article. Fair enough I didn't realise they had to be playing at the club post 2000, I thought as long as they were still playing post 2000 it was all good.

CSF

jive wrote: »

I read the thread just not the article. Fair enough I didn't realise they had to be playing at the club post 2000, I thought as long as they were still playing post 2000 it was all good.

It is said in the 2nd line of the thread.

jive

CSF wrote: »

It is said in the 2nd line of the thread.

Yeah, like I said I read the thread. Unsure as to why me asking why Ronaldo wasn't in both is such a big deal.

"basically he's took his Barca/Real dream team based on players who have been playing post 2000."

Ronaldo retired this year. Ergo, he was playing post 2000. You mad??

CorkMan

When Cannavaro arrived in 06/07 Real hadn't won a league since 02/03. They won the league for 06/07 and 07/08.

tdv123

jive wrote: »

Can't be arsed reading an article on 2 fictional teams. You could have just said why instead of that comment lmao.

But you can be arsed to comment on it?

And the omissions of the likes of Cruffy, Di Stefano, Puskas etc...should have made it clear enough that it was not an all time team.

jive

tdv123 wrote: »

But you can be arsed to comment on it?

And the omissions of the likes of Cruffy, Di Stefano, Puskas etc...should have made it clear enough that it was not an all time team.

Yeah I've explained why, read the thread don't be so lazy :rolleyes:

I never said it was an all time team, I already said i read the thread. You mad??

James Forde

Any way, who would win?

greendom

It would be virtually impossible to put together a greatest ever Madrid and Barca team. My knowledge of their respective histories is not that great, but aside from those icons from the fifties (not forgetting Kopa) and the players already mentioned, you'd have to choose between the likes of Hugo Sanchez, Butregeno, Michel, Koeman Stoickhov, Hagi, Santillana, Rivaldo etc etc etc. An incredibly difficult task and one that the journalist obviously didn't fancy.

How could I have forgotten Maradona or the Laudrups

curry-muff

jive wrote: »

Yeah I've explained why, read the thread don't be so lazy :rolleyes:

I never said it was an all time team, I already said i read the thread. You mad??

Why do you keep asking people "You Mad??", Are you mad?

bryanjf wrote: »

Any way, who would win?

Im sticking with Real Madrid, the whole team as a unit is pretty awesome, not one part I'd call weak, plus Im a big Zidane fanboy so that seals it for me

Casillas v Valdes - Casiallas
Carlos v Gio - Carlos
Salgado v Alves - Alves (This was a tougher one, Salgado on his day was amazing but I chose Alves for his attacking threat)
Hierro v Puyol - Puyol
Cannavaro v Pique - Cannavaro

From here on I can't really go player by player due to the formation so:

Midfield - The balance of Makalele and Zidane in midfield is pretty much perfect, just like how Keane and Scholes complimented each other.

The Barca midfield as we have experienced is quite good at controlling the game however and Im sure Deco would probably even improve it (although I always did think Deco was slightly overrated even after his fantastic season in 06, I think it was)

Wingers - Ronaldinho and Messi v C Ronaldo and Figo, what can I say, its really a toss up, 4 of the most exciting players Ive had the joy to watch. On form Id say Messi and Ronaldinho would edge it though.

Strikers - Etoo, probably the best player you could have in the lone striker position v and absolutely defence terrifying Ronaldo and Raul, Id have to hand it to Ronaldo and Raul, simply because Ronaldo is the best striker I have ever seen and Raul isn't far off him.

Overall Real shade it, but how amazing would it be if such a match was possible, real fantasy football.

Otis Driftwood

curry-muff wrote: »

Came across another one of Jonathan Stevenson's interesting blogs the other day and I don't think I've seen it mentioned here yet, basically he's took his Barca/Real dream team based on players who have been playing post 2000.

You didnt look too hard tbh.Midway down the first page.

curry-muff

Otis Driftwood wrote: »

You didnt look too hard tbh.Midway down the first page.

It obviously wasn't half way down the first page until his post at 21:07, wasn't in sight for 2 days before that, but thanks for the condescending tone nonetheless.

eZe^

Canavarro was average for Real. Infact, Miguel Torres was a better defender for them in 06/07.

curry-muff

Cheers for the merge

Who would you have in his place then?

Helguera is the one that springs to mind for me.

eZe^

curry-muff wrote: »

Cheers for the merge

Honest mistake, it's what we're here for.

ShamoBuc

I reckon they would cancel themselves out in a game - a draw ( a high scoring one though)

CorkMan

Zidane > any Barca player.

curry-muff

CorkMan wrote: »

Zidane > any Barca player.

Zidane in my opinion would be the best player there, but one player doesn't make a team and Barca have the likes of Messi and Ronaldinho to help balance it out.