This is Mine

Sami Khedira

6

Defensive midfielder Sami Khedira (Stuttgart, Germany, 1987) had his coming out party during the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, during which he was one of the most outstanding players on the German national team. The new Real Madrid signing played seven matches and scored what proved to be the third-place clinching goal against Uruguay. One year earlier, Khedira captained the German Under-21 side to the European Championship title.

Khedira is a dynamic midfielder who can cover a lot of ground and can quickly join in attack after recovering the ball from the opponent. Standing at 189 centimeters, he has flawless aerial technique and a powerful mid-range shot.

Born to a German mother and Tunisian father, Khedira came into this world in Stuttgart, Germany in 1987. After initially playing for TV Oeffingen, he joined the VfB Stuttgart academy at the age of eight. He slowly climbed his way up through the ranks until earning his first team debut on 1 October 2006 against Hertha BSC. A couple weeks later he scored his first two Bundesliga goals against Shalke 04 and Stuttgart would eventually go on to win the league title. Prior to his arrival in the Spanish capital, Khedira scored 14 goals in 98 total matches with the German side.

Sami Khedira has also had a successful run on an international level. In 2009 he captained Germany's Under-21 side to the European Championship titles. He debuted with the senior side two months later and has earned a third-place finish in the World Cup. In less than a year he notched 12 caps for Germany.

Xabi Alonso Olano

14

Born into a family known for its football prowess, Xabi Alonso came into this world on 25 November 1981 in the Basque town of Tolosa. Following in the footsteps of his father, Periko Alonso, Xabi lived in Barcelona until he was six before moving to San Sebastian, where he began his career as a footballer.

Xabi Alonso’s youth career began at Antiguoko, where he quickly stood out for his football prowess. Real Sociedad soon came calling, and his progress through the ranks culminated in his first team debut in Copa del Rey action against Logroñes. He debuted in Spain’s top flight in 1998.

Prior to the 2004/05 season, Alonso completed a switch to Liverpool, where he dazzled Kopites with his incredible vision and knack for the pass. His powerful long-range shot converted him into one of Europe’s best centre midfielders.

Xabi Alonso has featured for Spain since debuting in 2003, but his career highs were no doubt the 2008 Euro and 2010 World Cup won by Spain.

An eye for the pass, speed in distributing, vision for the game, a powerful shot… just some of the attributes of the Basque footballer who is a mainstay in the Real  Madrid midfield.

Lassana Diarra

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Determined to become a football player, he joined Nantes' youth system as a child and later landed at Le Mans, with whom he played in the French Second Division. The most recent French side he played for was Le Havre (2003-05).

Chelsea took interest in Lass and signed him in 2005, making him the youngest player in club history. He won the Premiership and a Carling Cup with the Blues. He later moved to Arsenal, where he remained only half a season before joining Portsmouth, where he would immediately see more playing time and become one of the top players in the Premiership.

Diarra is strong, solid in defence and covers a large part of the pitch. He is excellent in the aerial game despite not being too tall and he is capable of scoring goals from a distance thanks to a powerful shot. His versatility allows him to play both as a midfielder and as a right back.

Marcelo Vieira da Silva Júnior

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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 ice running through his veins, Marcelo didn't take long to earn a spot in the starting eleven.

Marcelo’s consistent playing time also rubbed 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.

Alvaro Arbeloa Coca

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Fabio Alexandre Silva Coentrao

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Place of Birth: Vila do Conde, Portugal

Date of Birth: 11/03/1988

Position: Defender

Weight: 72 kg

Height: 179 cm

Nationality: Portuguese

Fabio Coentrao is one of the best left backs in the current football scene thanks to his solid game in attack, excellent dribbling skills, powerful shot and varsatility, which allows him to play anywhere down the wings. He is very experienced despite his young age.

The first important team he played for was Rio Ave, with whom he made his First Division debut when he was just 16. His excellent performances caught Benfica's attention, who decided to sign him in 2007 and loaned him out to Nacional, notching 16 appearances and 4 goals. Coentrao returned to Rio Ave after a brief spell with Spanish side Zaragoza. His good run in the 2008/09 campaign secured his return to Benfica, with whom he truly blossomed and won his first titles, such as the 2009/10 edition of the league and the 2010/11 Cup of Portugal.

Coentrao first played for his country on the youth national teams, making his first team debut in 2009 against Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Ricardo Carvalho

2

Carvalho is best known for his perfect positioning, his foresight and his ability to advance the ball out of the first third.

His career began with Leça prior to signing his professional papers with Porto in 1997. He immediately played on loan for what was his first team and continued gaining experience over the next two seasons with Vitoria de Setubal and Alverca before returning to Porto. It was during his second stint with the Portuguese powerhouse that he won the 2002/03 UEFA Cup and the 2003/04 Champions League. Carvalho packed his bags for Chelsea in 2004 and went on to earn three Premier League titles among a host of many others.

In recent years the center-back has played an integral role on the Portuguese national team, with whom he reached the final of the 2004 European Championship and the semis of the 2006 World Cup.