Full Name: Michel Salgado
Alias: The Two
Place of Birth: As Neves, Spain
Date of Birth: 19751022
Position: Defender
Weight: 165 lbs / 75 kg
Height: 5′7″ / 1,74 cm
Nationality: Spanish
Michel Salgado has been a member of the Real Madrid family since 1999, a feat in itself considering the very few players who can claim to have played top-flight football at such an outstanding level as demonstrated by this defender. Salgado is a no guts no glory kind of right-back who wears his heart on his sleeve when on the turf. He can’t stand losing, be it in matches or in training, where he always encourages and demands the most of his teammates.
Celta Vigo molded Salgado into the best right-back in Spain, catapulting him to his first cap in 1998. A strong performance for the Spanish national team against Italy sparked interest from several of the Calcio’s top clubs. While the Italian press nicknamed him “Il Due” (The Two), Salgado’s heart had long been set on Real Madrid. He deposed Panucci from the right wing shortly after landing in the Spanish capital and capped off a sensational first season with the club’s eighth European Cup. The following season ended with La Liga, and the one after with another Champions League title. Lest we forget the 2006/07 league, the third in his personal collection.
Salgado played his 350th for Real Madrid in 2007/08. “I have always said that living the day to day life in this club is extremely complicated. You have to be strong to survive at Real Madrid,” stated the defender, who when later asked about one of his best memories responded, “I recall the Last 16 of the 2003/04 Champions League that we played at home against Bayern. I provided the goal-assist to Zidane and then made a save between the posts.” Earning a spot in the lineup is becomes more difficult with time, but Salgado will never give up. “I won’t go down. I want to end my days with Real Madrid with dignity.” Míchel Salgado is one of this team’s most looked up to players. Dignity, determination, and courage define him.
