2014 was a pretty memorable year for Real Madrid fans. With the mention of that year, you should know which exact moment made it memorable. That Sergio Ramos header that had everyone on their toes, the 93rd-minute salvation, and the three-goal thrashing that followed, that was the night many slept as Real Madrid fans for the first time.
Ever since that year, Los Blancos have gone on to win the Champions League several more times, more than any other club in that time period or any time period for that matter.
They had an abysmal year under Rafa Benitez and had to let him go, bringing in a familiar name, Zinedine Zidane. The former club legend and assistant to the hero of 2014, Carlo Ancelotti, finally got his chance. After years of preparation as a second man, Zidane was ready to take on the big challenge. And boy, did he excel at it.
Three years later, Real Madrid achieved what no team had ever done, winning the Champions League three times in a row. All under one man, the French magician.
In a recent interview, Zidane was asked to single out the best moment of his career after the 1998 World Cup he won as a player. He pointed to the 2017 Champions League final against Juventus, the game that Real Madrid dominated throughout and won 4-1, thanks to a brace from Cristiano Ronaldo and goals from Casemiro and Marco Asensio.
Zidane said about that match, “The way we played the second half, it was truly spectacular. I’ve watched it four, five, six times… and I’ve always said: ‘This is football. Perfection.’”
And so here, we go back to the XI that Zidane fielded in the best game of his managerial career and revisit the stories of the stars who made history.
Zidane was a man of multiple teams. At his best, he managed to build two distinct squads of world-class players, and the 2017 UCL final was a perfect blend of both. The starting XI included Keylor Navas between the posts; Marcelo, Sergio Ramos, Raphael Varane, and Dani Carvajal in defense; the legendary midfield trio of Luka Modric, Casemiro, and Toni Kroos; and an attacking setup of Isco behind Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema. Here, we look at what these players did and where they are now.
1. Keylor Navas
Although Madrid signed Navas in 2014, he became a full-time starter and inherited the No. 1 shirt from Iker Casillas only in 2015. This followed the failed deadline-day attempt to trade him for David de Gea in the famous “fax machine” saga. Looking back, fans should be thankful that the deal collapsed. This is not to say that De Gea would have been a poor choice, but Navas was criminally underrated and proved to be a major asset in the years that followed.
In the 2016–17 season, he was the undisputed starter and had one of the highest save tallies among Champions League goalkeepers. Even though Navas never reached the same fame as others, his brilliance between the posts directly translated to Real Madrid’s success in defending the UCL trophy.
Where is he in 2025? Real Madrid traded Navas to Paris Saint-Germain in 2019 in exchange for a loan spell of Alphonse Areola, who failed to make an impact in Madrid. It was an absurd decision, given that Navas was still one of the best goalkeepers in the world at the time. After a few loans and mixed spells, as of 2025, Navas is with Liga MX side Universidad Nacional, where he also serves as captain.
2. Dani Carvajal
When we look back at Dani Carvajal’s legacy, we instantly recall that iconic image of a young boy laying the foundation stone of Real Madrid City. Decades later, that boy became one of the greatest legends ever to wear white.
By the 2016–17 season, Carvajal had long established himself as the undisputed right-back. The position became synonymous with his name, and there was no need for a replacement. Carvajal embodied the Madridista spirit. In Zidane’s setup, he provided crucial width and transitional balance while supporting attacks with precision. In the 2017 final, he recorded an assist and had a classic Carvajal-style performance.
Where is he in 2025? Carvajal remains at Real Madrid at 33 years of age and continues to be as vital as ever. He is one of the captains and is expected to battle it out with Trent Alexander-Arnold for the right-back spot, a contest that will be far from easy for the Englishman.
3. Raphaël Varane
After Pepe’s decline, Varane rose as the natural partner to Sergio Ramos. The Frenchman was more composed, tactically alert, and attack-oriented compared to Pepe.
Without Varane’s speed, composure, and understanding with Ramos, the three-peat would have been impossible. The counterattacks that defined Zidane’s Madrid often began from that central defensive partnership.
Where is he in 2025? After years of success, Varane departed for Manchester United in 2021, where he struggled to find his best rhythm but still stood among their top performers. Later, he joined Italian side Como before announcing his retirement in 2024. He now serves on the club’s board and is involved in youth development.
4. Sergio Ramos
El Capitano, the man who made me fall in love with this club, and the only man whose departure made me tear up. I love Ramos for a hundred reasons but hate him for not staying one more year.
Ramos was the embodiment of Real Madrid’s spirit. He would tear the ground apart for the club without hesitation. A warrior before a footballer, he carried the Madrid mentality on his shoulders. It is impossible to choose one best moment of his Real Madrid career, but for the sake of this reflection, he was the man who carried Zidane’s idea and spirit on the pitch, the manager’s mind in motion.
Where is he in 2025? Ramos departed for Paris Saint-Germain in 2021, later returning to La Liga with Sevilla before signing for Liga MX side CF Monterrey, where he wears the No. 93 shirt in honor of that 92:48 goal from 2014. There it is, the best moment of his career, the one that made many a fan.
5. Marcelo
When I played as a left-back on the streets, Marcelo was always my idol. And he should be for anyone who plays that position. A magician of sorts, he could create from the back and change games in an instant without seeking the spotlight.
Marcelo did from the left what Carvajal did from the right. He was an attacking outlet, combining seamlessly with Cristiano Ronaldo in overlaps and transitions. He could overload flanks and unlock tight defenses, becoming a key part of the 2017 and three-peat sides. He also registered an assist in the final.
Where is he in 2025? Marcelo left Real Madrid in 2022 and has since retired. His son now plays for La Fabrica and is already making a name for himself. Marcelo frequently attends his matches and remains closely connected with the club.
6. Toni Kroos
The most cunning midfielder Real Madrid have had this century, and that is not an exaggeration. Kroos was unique, the engine of the team throughout his time at Los Blancos.
He dictated tempo and decided how and where the team played in every situation. A football genius who remains under-appreciated, Kroos finished the 2017 final with a 92 per cent passing accuracy, classic Kroos. He is the best player never to win the Ballon d’Or.
Where is he in 2025? The German sniper retired in 2023 at the peak of his powers. Call me mad, but I still think he should have stayed another year, he could have remained the best midfielder in the world one last time.
7. Casemiro
The most underappreciated player in the KCM trio, Casemiro was the silent orchestrator of Real Madrid’s defensive symphony. A shield for the back four, his presence gave the full-backs the freedom to advance.
Without someone like Casemiro, Zidane’s aggressive style would have been exposed. He brought balance, reckless yet reliable, fierce yet disciplined.
Where is he in 2025? Casemiro joined Manchester United in 2022 and remains one of their standout players at age 33, even as the club continues to underperform.
8. Luka Modrić
I lied earlier. I might have shed a tear at Modric’s departure too. Who wouldn’t? The last of the KCM trio and perhaps the best of them all.
Born in war-torn Croatia, once living as a shepherd and labeled the “worst signing of the year” when Madrid bought him, Modric rose to receive standing ovations from rival fans. He completed football.
A visionary playmaker, Modric’s ability to unlock deadlocks stood out in the 2017 season. Against a structured Juventus side, his creativity dismantled Allegri’s defense repeatedly.
Where is he in 2025? Modric signed for AC Milan at the end of last season and continues to thrive at age 40. A timeless wizard of our era.
9. Isco
Some call him the most underappreciated midfielder of Real Madrid’s golden era, and I agree. Isco never had the fame others enjoyed, yet he matched them in quality, if not surpassed them.
Fans who watched the three-peat know Isco was the closest thing to a Zidane reincarnation on the pitch. Elegant, technically pure, and aesthetically delightful, he provided vital creativity whenever required. He often featured when Madrid needed to break compact defenses, hence his start ahead of Gareth Bale in the final.
Where is he in 2025? After fitness struggles, Isco left Real Madrid in 2022 but has rediscovered his brilliance at Real Betis, where he is now their best player. He tormented Real Madrid last season, a bittersweet sight.
10. Karim Benzema
Real Madrid fans do not talk enough about Benzema’s contribution. He was the humblest of stars, always molding his game to suit the team’s needs.
During the Ronaldo era, he was the catalyst who made many goals possible. When Ronaldo left and the team needed a natural finisher, Benzema stepped up, evolved his role, and won the Ballon d’Or.
Where is he in 2025? After achieving everything, Benzema moved to Saudi side Al-Ittihad in 2023, where he continues to score consistently.
11. Cristiano Ronaldo
The man who made it all possible, El Bicho. A monumental figure in every sense, Cristiano was the heartbeat of Los Blancos throughout their golden years.
We do not need to detail his 2016–17 contributions; the numbers speak for themselves. In the final alone, he scored twice with trademark precision. Whenever the team needed him, he delivered, without tantrums, without excuses.
Where is he in 2025? He stayed one more season, won another Champions League, and left for Juventus in 2018 in one of the most heartbreaking moves for fans worldwide. Later, he joined Al Nassr, effectively triggering the Saudi Pro League wave. As of now, he is about 52 goals away from reaching the 1,000-goal milestone. Of those, 451 came while wearing the white crest on his chest.