The starting eleven selected by Carlo Ancelotti for last night’s Super Cup clash with Sevilla turned out to represent the most expensive in the history of the game, we take a closer look at the record breaking XI.
Iker Casillas – Zero
The one member of the XI who didn’t cost a penny and this was indeed something of a rare outing for the hugely experienced keeper. The Spanish international has barely featured in La Liga action in 18 months.
Sergio Ramos – £21m
The strong tackling defender with a penchant for red cards has been at the Bernabeu since 2005 and arguably had his best campaign to date last term, playing a key role in his side’s Champions League triumph.
Pepe – £24m
Brazilian is well known for his dodgy temperament but is also a very capable defender and a player who cost a big sum back in 2007, one of an army of players FC Porto have made a huge profit on.
Dani Carvajal – £5m
Youngster didn’t cost much as he was previously a product of the club’s youth team set-up, being sold to Bayer Leverkusen then swiftly purchased back once it was clear just how talented the full-back was.
Fabio Coentrao – £24m
Portuguese wing-back cost a massive fee and has on the whole failed to justify the outlay and lost out to Marcelo for the starting spot on the left, may challenge the Brazilian hard in 2014/15.
Toni Kroos – £20m
Cultured German arrived from Bayern Munich this summer and may prove to be a very wise purchase. Midfielder played a key role in his nation’s World Cup success and is a player who is at the peak of his powers.
Luka Modric – £33m
Was initially considered an expensive mistake but the former Tottenham man has won over the fans, and the Spanish media, with his superb distribution and tireless running. Seemingly a favourite among those within the Real Madrid squad.
Karim Benzema – £27m
Was also the subject of the club’s ‘boo-boys’ but the French international has knuckled down and proven his doubters wrong, last term was perhaps his most effective since moving to the Spanish capital from Lyon back in 2009.
Cristiano Ronaldo – £80m
If ever a world-record bid could be considered a ‘bargain’ then it would be Real Madrid’s purchase of the Portuguese wonder from Man United back in 2009. Amazingly Ronaldo has racked up 254 goals in 247 appearances for the Spanish giants.
Gareth Bale – £85m
Made an instant impact in Spain last term, the Welshman scoring 22 goals in 44 appearances and teeing up a host of assists to boot. The 25 year old is certainly settling in well to life at the Bernabeu.
James Rodriguez – £63m
The latest addition, the Colombian moving from AS Monaco to Real Madrid after a stellar World Cup display, time will tell if the outlay is justified but one gets the feeling that it will prove to be the case.