Real Madrid

Full Name: Christoph Metzelder
Alias: Metzelder
Place of Birth: Haltern Am See, Germany
Date of Birth: 05/11/1980
Position: Defender
Weight: 185 lbs / 84 kg
Height: 6′0″ / 194 cm
Nationality: German

Metzelder’s height, good aerial game, and innate capability to defend have made him the ideal centre-back for every team he’s played for.

Christoph began playing football for Schalke 04’s youth system, which he left to join SC Preussen Münster’s Under-19 side. His forward progress on the team took led him to Borussia Dortmund, where he became a prominent figure in the Bundesliga.

Full Name: Gonzalo Higuaín
Alias: Higuaín
Place of Birth: Brest, France
Date of Birth: 10/12/1987
Position: Forward
Weight: 165 lbs / 75 kg
Height: 6’0” / 184 cm
Nationality: Argentine/French

Gonzalo Higuaín jumped onto the world football stage after being named Breakthrough Player on Argentina’s 2006 Torneo Apertura. “Pipita” is known for his speed in the last third of the pitch, his great striking ability, and his precisionpassing. Quick, elegant, and a knack for decision-making make Higuaín a fashionable forward in today’s world of football.

Full Name: Klaas-Jan Huntelaar
Alias: Huntelaar
Place of Birth: Drempt, Netherlands
Date of Birth: 12/08/1983
Position: Forward
Weight: 176 lbs / 80 kg
Height: 6′1″ / 186 cm
Nationality: Dutch

Brought up through the ranks of PSV Eindhoven, Huntelaar made his much anticipated debut with the club’s first team on 23 November 2002 against Rosendaal when he was 19 years old. He was the transfered on loan to De Graafschap and Second Division side Apeldoom prior to being picked up by Heerenveen for the 2004/05 season. One year later the striker signed for Ajax, where he became one of the most prolific goal scorers in Europe.

Full Name: Rubén de la Red Gutierrez Bio
Alias: De la Red
Place of Birth: Móstoles, Spain
Date of Birth: 28/01/1986
Position: Midfielder
Weight: 174 lbs / 79 kg
Height: 6′1″ / 186 cms
Nationality: Spanish

Rubén de la Red is the perfect example of the brilliance of Real Madrid’s youth system. Comparisons can easily be made with other great players on the squad that have excelled thanks to their elegant touch on ball, vision, and outstanding technique. At 23 years old, De la Red is a product of the Club’s academy. Since he joined the Under-17’s, the player stood out among his teammates and caught the attention of the Under-20’s coach, Quique Sánchez Flores. From then on, he evolved remarkably.

Full Name: Daniel Parejo Muñoz
Alias: Parejo
Place of Birth: Madrid, Spain
Date of Birth: 16/04/1989
Position: Midfielder
Weight: 165 lbs / 75 kg
Height: 5′9″ / 180 cm
Nationality: Spanish

Daniel Parejo joined Real Madrid’s Under-13 side after playing for his fathers team UD Espinilla in his native town of Coslada. In just one year, he managed to play for the Under-20 A side, Real Madrid C and Castilla, finishing the season off with a brilliant free-kick goal to crown Spain as European Champions in the Under-19 competition.

Full Name: Gabriel Ivan Heinze Bio
Alias: Heinze
Place of Birth: Crespo, Argentina
Date of Birth: 19/04/1978
Position: Defender
Weight: 158 lbs / 72 kg
Height: 5′8″ / 178 cm
Nationality: Argentinean

Gabriel Iván Heinze is your typical Argentine. He brings a lot of talent to the table and his drive and energy are extremely valuable on the pitch. Like most of his countrymen, he doesn’t back down in the face of adversity and he always gives 100%. His greatest asset is his versatility, which allows him to play both as centre-back and left-back. Heinze’s speed allows him to contribute on both ends of the pitch, whether it’s playing as far up as the opponent’s byline or anticipating every move his attacking rival makes. His winning attitude and hard-working personality make him an essential player on any team.

Full Name: Royston Ricky Drenthe
Alias: Drenthe
Place of Birth: Rotterdam, Netherlands
Date of Birth: 08/04/1987
Position: Midfielder
Weight: 147 lbs. / 67 kg.
Height: 5’7” / 1.67 m.
Nationality: Dutch

The 2007 Under-21 European Championship served as Royston Drenthe’s coming out party. The Netherlands won the competition and the Dutch player was named Player of the Tournament by UEFA, none of which went unnoticed by Real Madrid scouts, who flew Drenthe from Rotterdam to Madrid shortly after the competition concluded.