Nacho Profile

Despite his natural position being at the heart of the defence, Nacho is the jack of all trades. He acts intelligently in any position of the defence and always responds wherever he is supposed to be. He is known for his speed, levelheadedness and sureness in tackling. Despite his youth, he shows great maturity on the pitch. Moreover, he is able to get the ball played and has a good long pass. 

Having been with the Whites for more than a decade makes him a man of the house who represents Real Madrid's values to perfection. He arrived at Alevín A in 2001 and, bit by bit, has moved up and up until reaching the first team. Mourinho has always believed in him. He took him to the USA for the pre-season and now he has given him the opportunity to form part of the first squad. International with the lower ranks of the Spanish national team.

Outside of sports, Nacho has a very busy life. He is finishing his studies at the National Institute of Physical Education, whilst combining that with the third year of a coaching qualification. Although football and studying are his two main commitments, Nacho enjoys the free time he has to be with his friends and family. Cinema is one of his great hobbies. 

An important date for him is the 23rd of April 2011, when he played his début with the first team in Mestalla against Valencia. The Whites won 3-6 and Nacho was the first pick. During a great part of his career, he has shared changing rooms with his brother Álex, who plays for Castilla. 

Career

·         Complutense Nadador (1999-2001)

·         Real Madrid academy (signed 01/07/2001)

·         u-12s A (2001/02)

·         u-14s B (2002/03)

·         u-14s A (2003/04)

·         u-16s B (2004/05)

·         u-16s A (2005/06)

·         u-18s B (2006/07)

·         u-18s A (2007/08)

·          Real Madrid C (2008/09)

·         -Castilla (2009-2012)

·         Real Madrid First Team (2012- )

·         Début in 1st Division: 23/04/2011

Match: Valencia

·         Début with Real Madrid : 23/04/2011

Match: Valencia

·         u-21 international with Spain

Source : http://www.realmadrid.com

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Luca Modric Profile

The main footballing attributes of Modric are his golden vision, his genuine goal threat and his great technical ability. From a very early age, he began to excel and when he was only 18 years old he was chosen as the best player in Bosnia’s Top flight when he played for Zrinjski. After this successful spell, another followed with Inter Zaprešić and the time came for him to star at Dinamo Zagreb. He won three league titles and two cups during his time as a player in Croatia. Confirmation that he was the great promise of his nation’s football came in 2007, when he was chosen as best Croatian central midfield player. 

His fine performances continued in the Premier League, where he quickly became a benchmark player in the centre of the park in his first year at Tottenham. In the four seasons spent in the English top flight, he contributed 24 assists, which show his ability to pick a killer pass, and he scored 13 goals. He is an undisputed regular for the Croatian national team and has showcased his great talent at the highest level such as at the European Championship of 2008, where he was included in the best team of the tournament.

Modric began his love affair with football from a very young age. On account of the Balkan War, the Madrid player had to seek refuge with his family in a hotel on the island of Iz. He initially developed his footballing skills playing on these war-torn streets. That war defined the character of Modric and had a huge impact on his family. His father represented the Croatian army and his grandfather was killed in battle by a Serbian sniper. 

During his spell in Bosnia as a footballer, he had to combine military service with his obligations as a player. Furthermore, the Balkan player marked a milestone in the history of his previous club, when he became the most expensive signing in the history of Tottenham.

Honours

·         Spanish Super Cup: 2012

·         3 Croatian league titles (2006, 2007 and 2008)

·         2 Croatian cups (2007 and 2008

·         1 Croatian Super Cup (2006)

Career

·         Zrinjski Mostar (2003-2004)

·         Inter Zaprešic (2004-2005)

·         Dínamo de Zagreb (2005-2008)

·         Tottenham Hotspur (2008-2012)

·         Real Madrid (2012- )

·         Capped international with Croatia

Source : http://www.realmadrid.com

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Michael Essien Profile

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 new 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 new 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.

Honours

·         1 Champions League (2012)

·         2 English League titles  (2010 and 2006)

·         4 English Cups (2012, 2010, 2009 and 2007)

·         1 Community Shield (2009)

·         1 English League Cup (2007)

·         2 French League titles (2005 and 2004)

·         Best player in the French League (2005)

Career

·         Bastia (2000-2003)

·         Olympique de Lyon (2003-2005)

·         Chelsea (2005-2012)

·         Real Madrid (2012- )

·         A full international with Ghana

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Alvaro Morata Profile

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 u-18s C. 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.

Among Morata’s hobbies are reading and playing video games. Other sports he plays are golf and paddle tennis. He has the good fortune to be training regularly with his idol, Cristiano Ronaldo.

His quality, work and commitment have made him a fixture in the lower ages groups for Spain, with whom he became European u-19 Champion in Romania along with other Madrid academy players Dani Carvajal and Álex Fernández.

Honour

Under-19 European Championship: 2011

Career

·         Atlético de Madrid (2005-2007)

·         Getafe (2007-2008)

·         Real Madrid youth system (2008-2012)

·         Real Madrid (2012- )

·         La Liga debut: 12/12/2012 Match: Zaragoza, 1; Real Madrid, 3

·         Real Madrid debut: 12/12/2012 Match: Zaragoza, 1; Real Madrid, 3

·         International U-19 for Spain

Source : http://www.realmadrid.com

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Jesus Fdez Profile

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.

Jesús’ big passion is cars but he is also fond of music and movies. In addition to football and he plays paddle tennis and tennis and is fond of the piano, which he played as a child.

He puts his debut with Numancia in the Second Division against Irún as the most important moment of his sporting career until now. His idol is Iker Casillas, but does not forget other great ‘keepers such as Paco Buyo, Buffon and Van der Sar. 

·         Adarve (1998-2004)

·         Villarreal (2004-2006)

·         Getafe (2006-2007)

·         Numancia (2007-2010)

·         Real Madrid youth system  (2010-2012)

·         Real Madrid

·         La Liga debut: 21 May 2011 Match: Real Madrid, 8; Almería, 1

·         Real Madrid debut: 21 May 2011  Match: Real Madrid, 8; Almería, 1

Source : http://www.realmadrid.com

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Raphael Varane Profile

Raphael Varane earned the admiration of all European football in his first year in the elite when he was just 18 years old. His impressive height allows him to dominate the aerial game; his versatility makes him a solid defender or central midfielder; and his speed, sense of anticipation, dribbling skills and maturity turned him into one of the most important players on his previous side.

Varane was formed at the academy of Lens, one of the most prolific in France in recent years. Hailing by family from Martinique (his father was born in Le Morne-Rouge), the defender played 23 league games with Lens in the 2010/11 season, 22 of them as a starter. Varane made his debut with a 2-0 victory over Montpellier on 6 November 2010. Three weeks later, he earned a starting position under coach Jean-Guy Wallemme and kept it when Laszlo Boloni replaced him.

Raphael Varane made his international debut with France's Under-18s against Denmark, scoring the last goal in a 24 August friendly (2-0). After a second match with the team he was promoted to the Under-21 side.

Personal

Varane started playing football at a football academy in Lievin, which trains players from the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region. He stayed there two years.

His second match with France's Under-21 side saw him play against Madridistas Sergio Canales, Nacho Fernandez and Juan Carlos. France won the match 3-2 at Reims' Auguste-Delaune Stadium.

Honours

La Liga: 2011/12

Career

·         Lens (2010/11)

·         Real Madrid (2011- )

·         First Division debut: 06/11/2010  Match: Lens 2-0 Montpellier

Source : http://www.realmadrid.com 

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Xabi Alonso Profile

Born into a family known for its football prowess, Xabi Alonso came into this world on 25 November 1981 in the Basque town of Tolosa. Following in the footsteps of his father, Periko Alonso, Xabi lived in Barcelona until he was six before moving to San Sebastian, where he began his career as a footballer.

Xabi Alonso’s youth career began at Antiguoko, where he quickly stood out for his football prowess. Real Sociedad soon came calling, and his progress through the ranks culminated in his first team debut in Copa del Rey action against Logroñes. He debuted in Spain’s top flight in 1998. 

Prior to the 2004/05 season, Alonso completed a switch to Liverpool, where he dazzled Kopites with his incredible vision and knack for the pass. His powerful long-range shot converted him into one of Europe’s best centre midfielders.

Xabi Alonso has featured for Spain since debuting in 2003, but his career highs were no doubt the 2008 Euro and 2010 World Cup won by Spain.

An eye for the pass, speed in distributing, vision for the game, a powerful shot… just some of the attributes of the Basque footballer who is a mainstay in the Real  Madrid midfield.

Alonso scored 19 goals in his five seasons un the Premier League. Although not his main asset, the midfielder is a free-kick maestro from long range. A fan once won £25,000 after betting that Alonso could score from 65 metres out.

Honours

·         La Liga: 2011/12

·         Copa del Rey: 2011

·         UEFA Champions League: 2005

·         European Super Cup: 2005

·         FA Cup: 2006

·         Community Shield: 2006

·         European Championship: 2008

·         Bronze Medal, Confederations Cup: 2009

·         World Cup: 2010

Career

·         Real Sociedad (1996-2000)

·         SD. Eibar (2000)

·         Real Sociedad (2001-2004)

·         Liverpool (2004-2009)

·         Real Madrid (2009-present)

Source : http://www.realmadrid.com

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Sergio Ramos Profile

Sergio Ramos was trained in Sevilla’s youth system and made his first team debut at the age of 17 and under the tutelage of manager Joaquín Caparrós. The Andalusian has always stood out for his grit, determination, and self-confidence and is well on track to becoming the most prolific Spanish defender of all time -UEFA named him Newcomer of the 2004/05 Liga-. Real Madrid saw Ramos as the perfect centre-back to fill the hole left by Fernando Hierro and signed him in 2005.

Since his arrival in the Spanish capital, Sergio has been an example of hard work, dedication, and potential. Once on the pitch, he showcases drive, leadership, excellent defensive skills, great speed, a powerful shot, and a phenomenal goal-scoring instinct. Ramos joined the Club as a centre-back but established himself as a right-back during the 2006/07 and 2007/08 campaign; his amazing versatility makes him a great asset for any coach. 

Sergio Ramos is a key figure on the team, a leader and a captain. The defender from Seville is also a regular on the Spanish national team. At 19, he became the youngest man to make his debut with Spain in 55 years. He made history with Spain again by being in the second squad to win the European Championship in 2008 (Spain previously won the title in 1964) and by helping the team win its first ever World Cup trophy in South Africa 2010.

Personal

Sergio is a typical citizen of Seville. He loves Flamenco and uses it to rouse the team in the dressing room and in the pre-match team camps. He loves spending time with his family and friends in Seville and travels to the Andalusian city whenever he has some time off. He is also passionate about bullfighting and fashion, of which he is a total trendsetter in Spain. Football may be his life, but he also enjoys playing tennis and golf. Each of his ten tattoos has a special meaning (four are the dates of birth of his parents and his two brothers). His brother René is his agent.

Honours

·         Copa del Rey: 2011

·         La Liga: 2006/07, 2007/08, 2011/12 

·         Spanish Super Cup: 2008

·         European Championship: 2008

·         Bronze Medal, Confederations Cup: 2009

·         World Cup: 2010 

·         Gold Medal, Under-19 European Championship: 2004

Career

·         Sevilla B/Sevilla (2003/04)

·         Sevilla (2004/05)

·         Real Madrid (2005-present) 

·         La Liga debut: 1 February 2004 Match: Deportivo 1-0 Sevilla

·         Real Madrid debut: 10 September 2005 Match: Real Madrid 2-3 Celta

·         International for Spain

Source : http://www.realmadrid.com

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