When Spain won its’ first international title since 1964 and only it second overall title at the EURO 2008 there were only 2 Real Madrid players in the squad: Iker Casillas, Sergio Ramos. Barca did not fare much better though with just 3 players out of 22-23 in the squad.
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| Spanish internationals Sergio Ramos and Iker Casillas |
When Florentino Perez took over the leadership of Real Madrid in June 2009 one of his goals was to “Spaniardize” the team – put more native Spanish players on the team. So he went out and signed the young and talented central defender Raul Albiol in Valencia. He got the former Real Madrid youth player Alvaro Arbeloa from Liverpool and after a long and tough negotiation he finally got the central midfielder he wanted in Xabi Alonso also coming from Liverpool. All 3 are part of the Spanish squad which has qualified for South Africa 2010 so when the World Cup 2010 kicks off it will probably be with at least 5 Real Madrid players in the Spanish squad.
In the photo below
Raul Albiol and
Alvaro Arbeloa walk side by side. Raul Albiol plays in a Nike total 90 boot while Arbeloa wears an adidas predator boot. Maybe the club of Real Madrid has a special contract regarding footwear for some of the less known players who might not have independent contracts with the athletic apparel and footwear brands.
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| Raul Albiol and Alvaro Arbeloa new Real Madrid players 2009 |
Xabi Alonso is the architect in the Real Madrid midfield trying to connect the defense with the attack. He is playing in an adipure soccer boot. The other player in the photo is young Argentinian defender Garay who plays in an adidas predator boot.
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| Real Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso and defender Garay |
MUHAMMAD USMAN AWAN
Posted in: Football