Full Name: José María Gutiérrez Hernández Alias: Guti Place of Birth: Torrejón de Ardoz, Spain Date of Birth: 31/10/1976 Position: Midfielder Weight: 168 lbs / 76 kg Height: 6’1” / 185 cm Nationality: Spanish
‘Madridista’ is the perfect word to describe Guti. The player has spent most of his life with Real Madrid and is a great example of the kind of talent that emerges from the youth system. Guti has played for almost every youth team since his arrival at the age of nine and has been considered as a special player by every one of his coaches. His rise to stardom kicked into high gear when he averaged 30 goals per season with the Under-20 team, and he wasn’t even played as a striker!
He joined Real Madrid B (now Castilla) for the 1995/96 campaign, during which his one-of-a-kind passing and class A attitude caught the attention of Jorge Valdano, who gave him the chance of making his First Team debut on 2 December 1995 against Sevilla; a match the Whites won 4-1.
Guti got his first real break in top flight football from Vicente del Bosque, who stepped in for John Benjamin Toshack and managed to lead the club to its eighth European Cup in 1999/00. Hours on end in the gymnasium and drastic improvements to his physiognomy earned Guti, until then a tactical, but frail magician, consistent playing time as well as his first call-up from the Spanish national team.
The Madridista finally established himself as a member of the First Team one year later. After replacing injured Fernando Morientes, he paired up with Raúl and scored 14 goals, which played a decisive role in the team’s 28th League title.
Coaches have always taken special interest in Guti because he can adjust to any position on the pitch. He natural position is that of attacking midfielder, but he has also been lined up as a second striker, a left winger, and a defensive midfielder.
In November 2006 Guti signed a contract extension with Real Madrid through 30 June 2010.
Full Name: Jordi Codina Alias: Codina Place of Birth: Barcelona, Spain Date of Birth: 27/04/1982 Position: Goalkeeper Weight: 173 lbs / 79 kg Height: 6’0” / 184 cm Nationality: Spanish
Jordi Codina joined Real Madrid’s youth system in July 2000 after successful periods with the lower categories of Espanyol and Catalonia-based side Damn. In a two-year span he was promoted from the Under-20 squad to Real Madrid C to Real Madrid Castilla, whose goal he defended for five seasons. Codina debuted in Segunda Division in 2005/06 against Sporting Gijón at El Molinón (1-1). He played ten games that year, nine of which he started, but his numbers skyrocketed to 35 appearances in 38 matches for a total of 3,061 minutes the following campaign.
Codina excelled during his last season with Castilla and his performance didn’t go unnoticed by the Sporting Directorship who, at Bernd Schuster’s request, signed the youth teamer to a contract through 2009/10. “This is one of the most important days of my career,” said the keeper after seeing his dream become reality.
Full Name: Marcelo Vieira Alias: Vieira Place of Birth: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Date of Birth: 12/05/1988 Position: Defender Weight: 160 lbs / 73 kg Height: 5’7” / 174 cm Nationality: Brazilian
Marcelo Vieira da Silva Júnior, or simply Marcelo, was one of the ‘Crown Jewels’ of always-prolific Brazilian football and one of Real Madrid’s swanky winter signings of 2006/07. He arrived in Europe at the age of 18 having already hit the big time with Fluminense and he quickly adapted to Madrid thanks to the other Brazilians on the squad, but especially Roberto Carlos, who took Marcelo under his wing and taught his successor the tricks of the trade.
A pacey and offensive player, the young left-back has worked arduously since landing in Madrid hoping to capitalize on the opportunities given to him by the manager. With nerves of steel and water running through his veins, Marcelo has earned Bernd Schuster’s confidence and a spot in the line-up. “I always knew I’d get my chance, and now I get to show my stuff on the pitch,” he explained.
Marcelo’s consistent playing time is also rubbing off on Brazilian national team coach Dunga, who gave the youngster his debut against Wales. No one could have written a better script as Marcelo hammered home an impressive crossed shot from outside the box in an all-out display of strength, speed, and ball-handling.
Full Name: Arjen Robben Alias: Robben Place of Birth: Bedum, Netherlands Date of Birth:23/01/1984 Position: Forward Weight: 165 lbs / 75 kg Height: 5’9” / 181 cm Nationality: Dutch
Arjen Robben is a rare breed in modern day football. There may be many fast attacking midfielders nowadays, but very few are as capable as Robben is of dribbling the ball with such class inside the box and changing the pace of the game in such a way that thwarts any defenders attempts to steal the ball. He has a phenomenal knack for scoring and is an excellent shot, which also make deadly from outside the box.
Born in Bedum on 23 January 1984, Robben began playing football at V.V. Bedum before joining Groningen in 2000. His spectacular performances made him one of the stars of the always-mesmerising Dutch League, and soon the greatest teams in the competition came calling; PSV Eindhoven acquiring his services in 2002. Philips Stadion brought out the best in Robben and he quickly established himself as one of Dutch football’s brightest prospects. Under the tutelage of Guus Hiddink, Robben made outstanding progress and helped lead PSV to the Eredivisie and Dutch Super Cup. He signed for Chelsea in 2004 after winning the Bravo Trophy, awarded to the Under-21 European Footballer of the Year.
The vertical nature of English football combined with Robben’s fancy footwork, long runs down the flanks, and masterful shots, soon made him a fan favourite among Blues supporters. He won every English title in play during his stint with Chelsea.
Robben has 27 caps with the Netherlands and has scored eight goals for the Orange. He was named Man of the Match two times during the 2006 World Cup; one of eight players in the tournament to pick up such a distinction.
