Real Madrid: 5 players who have an important leadership role

CM Toni Kroos

The German midfielder is one of the most technically prolific players in world football and is an enviably accurate passer. Toni Kroos can create chances from nothing with an early cross, a perfect indirect free kick or corner, or an expertly-placed pass into the channel. He’s also capable of scoring wondergoals, as Eibar can attest.

This season, Kroos has provided more energy defensively with his pressing, in addition to his progressive passing. No player in the Champions League averaged more key passes per game than Kroos during the group stages, and the 30-year-old has five assists for Real this season. Per WhoScored.com, he’s completing a crisp 93.3 percent of his passes. He keeps games ticking and never takes a day off, leading quietly by example in the process.

CB Raphael Varane

The other center back in the side, Raphael Varane is an even more impressive defender than Sergio Ramos due to his calmness and intelligent reading of the game. Varane never really puts a wrong foot forward, so it’s easy to overlook how brilliant he is. Liverpool fans certainly have.

A captain for the French national team, Varane will be Ramos’ heir to wear the armband. He has all the qualities of a captain, as his World Cup triumph with France shows. Varane is another player who quietly leads by example, putting in the work and commanding respect from his peers with his world-class play and selfless defending. He always gets the job done with no mess.