Real Madrid’s all-time best XI in the Champions League

Real Madrid will play their 15th UEFA Champions League final this Saturday, aiming to win their 14th Champions League title. This statement itself is enough to speak about how Real Madrid is the most successful team in the history of football, and how they are way ahead of other clubs across Europe.

A lot of players have contributed to Real Madrid’s numerous successful campaigns in Europe, becoming the legends of this historic club in the process. In this big week, let us remind ourselves of some of the best players to have played for the club, by making an all-time XI in this competition.

Since we have a long history filled with many legends, let us narrow down the period to that of the Champions League era, and exclude the European Cup era. Let us get started, by looking at the goalkeeper, which might look like an obvious choice for most of you.

GK Iker Casillas

Iker Casillas is the greatest keeper to have ever played for Real Madrid, and who else, apart from him, can make it to Real Madrid’s greatest XI in the Champions League. In his 16-year stint with the first team, San Iker has won the coveted trophy thrice and holds the record for most appearances in the Champions League for Real Madrid, with 152 appearances to his name.

It would be difficult to pick the best game from such a long career, but the most memorable game of Casillas’ Champions League career has to be the 2002 Final vs. Bayer Leverkusen. He came on as a substitute for the injured Cesar Sanchez in the second half and pulled off 3 huge saves late in the game, ensuring that the scoreline remained 2-1 and Real secured their 9th title. It was the game that made Casillas a sure-fire starter for Real Madrid in the years to come.