Real Madrid Squad 2006: Full Player List, Transfers & Stats

Key moments, such as their Champions League run, saw the Real Madrid 2006 squad take on some of the biggest names in European football, including Arsenal in their epic 2006 clash. This article will delve into the players, stats, and performances of the Real Madrid 2006 team, offering insights into one of the club’s most iconic lineups in the modern era. Whether you’re interested in the full list of Real Madrid 2006 players, their numbers, or the team’s historical impact, this breakdown provides a comprehensive look at Real Madrid’s squad in 2006.

• Euro 2024: Stadiums, History & Players
• Why Top Players Avoid Playing in the English Premier League

Season Overview for Real Madrid Team 2006 Squad

In the summer of 2006, Real Madrid appointed Fabio Capello as head coach, returning to the club after his previous tenure in the 1996–97 season. Capello’s arrival from Juventus was accompanied by the acquisition of several key players, notably Fabio Cannavaro, Emerson, and Ruud van Nistelrooy. While Cannavaro and Emerson bolstered the defense and midfield respectively, it was van Nistelrooy’s prolific goal-scoring that became instrumental throughout the season.

The La Liga campaign culminated in a nail-biting finish. Real Madrid and FC Barcelona both ended the season with 76 points, but Real Madrid clinched the title due to a superior head-to-head record against their arch-rivals. This triumph was sealed with a decisive 3–1 victory over Mallorca on the final matchday. Despite this success, Capello was dismissed shortly after the season concluded, primarily due to disagreements over team selections and his defensive tactical approach. He was succeeded by Bernd Schuster from Getafe for the following season.

In cup competitions, Real Madrid faced early exits. They were eliminated in the Round of 16 in both the Copa del Rey by Real Betis and the UEFA Champions League by Bayern Munich.

Real Madrid Squad 2006 Player Roster/Key Statistics

The squad featured a blend of seasoned veterans and emerging talents. Notable players included club captain Raúl, midfield maestro Guti, and defensive stalwarts like Roberto Carlos and Sergio Ramos. The goalkeeping duties were adeptly handled by Iker Casillas.

Ruud van Nistelrooy emerged as the standout performer, securing the Pichichi Trophy as La Liga’s top scorer with 25 goals. Overall, he netted 33 goals across all competitions, underscoring his vital role in the team’s offensive play.

The team’s La Liga record stood at 23 wins, 7 draws, and 8 losses, amassing a total of 76 points. They scored 66 goals (averaging 1.74 per game) and conceded 40 (averaging 1.05 per game), resulting in a goal difference of +26.

Transfer Movements

The 2006–07 season witnessed significant activity in the transfer market:

Incoming Transfers:

• Fabio Cannavaro: The Italian center-back joined from Juventus, bringing defensive solidity.
• Emerson: The Brazilian midfielder, also from Juventus, added experience to the midfield.
• Ruud van Nistelrooy: The Dutch striker was acquired from Manchester United, becoming the season’s top scorer.
• Mahamadou Diarra: The Malian defensive midfielder arrived from Lyon, strengthening the midfield’s defensive capabilities.
• José Antonio Reyes: The Spanish winger was loaned from Arsenal, contributing crucial goals, including two in the title-deciding match against Mallorca.
• Fernando Gago: The Argentine midfielder was signed from Boca Juniors during the winter transfer window, adding depth to the midfield.
• Gonzalo Higuaín: The young Argentine forward joined from River Plate in the winter, providing additional attacking options.
• Marcelo: The Brazilian left-back was signed from Fluminense, marking the beginning of a long and successful tenure with the club.

Outgoing Transfers:

• Zinedine Zidane: The French midfield legend retired at the end of the previous season, concluding a great career.
• Ronaldo: The Brazilian striker transferred to AC Milan during the winter window.
• Jonathan Woodgate: The English defender was loaned to Middlesbrough.
• Júlio Baptista: The Brazilian midfielder was loaned to Arsenal as part of the deal for José Antonio Reyes.

These strategic transfers played a pivotal role in shaping the team’s dynamics and overall performance during the season.

Technical Staff

The team’s success was also attributed to the expertise of the technical staff:

• Head Coach: Fabio Capello
• Assistant Coaches: Italo Galbiati and Toni Grande
• Physical Trainer: Massimo Neri
• Goalkeeping Coach: Franco Tancredi

Their combined efforts in training, strategy formulation, and matchday preparations were instrumental in the club’s achievements.

Real Madrid Squad 2006

Squad Details

The 2006–07 Real Madrid squad was a blend of seasoned veterans and emerging talents. Below is a detailed breakdown of the team’s composition:

1. GK Iker Casillas – 25 Spain – 38 appearances
2. DF Míchel Salgado – 30 Spain – 17 appearances
3. DF Roberto Carlos – 33 Brazil – 23 appearances
4. DF Sergio Ramos – 20 Spain – 33 appearances
5. DF Fabio Cannavaro – 32 Italy – 32 appearances
6. MF Mahamadou Diarra – 25 Mali – 33 appearances
7. FW Raúl González – 29 Spain – 35 appearances
8. MF Emerson Ferreira – 30 Brazil – 28 appearances
9. FW Ronaldo – 30 Brazil – 7 appearances
10. FW Robinho – 22 Brazil – 32 appearances
11. DF Cicinho – 26 Brazil – 9 appearances
12. DF Marcelo – 18 Brazil – 60 appearances
13. GK Diego López – 24 Spain – 0 appearances
14. MF Guti – 30 Spain – 32 appearances
15. DF Raúl Bravo – 25 Spain – 11 appearances
16. MF Fernando Gago – 20 Argentina – 13 appearances
17. FW Ruud van Nistelrooy – 30 Netherlands – 37 appearances
18. FW Antonio Cassano – 24 Italy – 7 appearances
19. MF José Antonio Reyes – 22 Spain – 30 appearances
20. FW Gonzalo Higuaín – 19 Argentina – 19 appearances
21. DF Iván Helguera – 31 Spain – 23 appearances
22. DF Francisco Pavón – 26 Spain – 10 appearances
23. MF David Beckham – 31 England – 23 appearances
24. DF Álvaro Mejía – 24 Spain – 6 appearances
25. DF Oscar Minambres – 25 Spain – 0 appearances
26. DF Javi García – 19 Spain – 30 appearances
27. MF Rubén de la Red – 21 Spain – 30 appearances
28. GK Antonio Adán – 19 Spain – 0 appearances
29. GK Kiko Casilla – 20 Spain – 0 appearances
30. FW Alberto Bueno – 18 Spain – 0 appearances
31. FW Rayco García – 20 Spain – 0 appearances
32. MF Adrián González – 18 Spain – 0 appearances
33. MF Esteban Granero – 19 Spain – 0 appearances
34. MF Juan Mata – 18 Spain – 0 appearances
35. MF Nieto – 21 Spain – 0 appearances
36. FW Marcos Tébar – 20 Spain – 0 appearances
37. DF Miguel Torres – 20 Spain – 14 appearances
38. DF Borja Valero – 21 Spain – 0 appearances
39. DF Sergio Díaz – 21 Spain – 0 appearances

Real Madrid’s Lineups and Key Matches in the 2006/07 Season

The 2006/07 season was a pivotal period for Real Madrid, marked by significant matches against archrivals FC Barcelona and a notable UEFA Champions League encounter with Arsenal. Below is an in-depth look at these key fixtures, including detailed lineups and match outcomes.

1. El Clásico: Real Madrid vs. FC Barcelona

The 2006/07 season featured two intense El Clásico encounters between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona.

• First Match: October 22, 2006 In this La Liga fixture at the Santiago Bernabéu, Real Madrid secured a 2-0 victory over Barcelona. Lineups:
  • Real Madrid:
    • Goalkeeper: Iker CasillasDefenders: Roberto Carlos, Iván Helguera, Sergio RamosMidfielders: Emerson, Mahamadou Diarra, GutiForwards: Robinho, Raúl, Ruud van NistelrooyStriker: Ronaldo
    FC Barcelona:
    • Goalkeeper: Víctor ValdésDefenders: Oleguer, Carles Puyol, Rafael Márquez, Giovanni van BronckhorstMidfielders: Deco, Andrés Iniesta, Mark van BommelForwards: Ludovic Giuly, Samuel Eto’o, Ronaldinho
  Goals for Real Madrid were scored by Raúl and Ruud van Nistelrooy.
• Second Match: April 1, 2006 In this La Liga encounter at the Nou Camp, the match ended in a 1-1 draw. Lineups:
  • FC Barcelona:
    • Goalkeeper: Víctor ValdésDefenders: Oleguer, Carles Puyol, Rafael Márquez, Giovanni van BronckhorstMidfielders: Deco, Andrés Iniesta, Mark van BommelForwards: Ludovic Giuly, Samuel Eto’o, Ronaldinho
    Real Madrid:
    • Goalkeeper: Iker CasillasDefenders: Raúl Bravo, Iván Helguera, Míchel Salgado, CicinhoMidfielders: Thomas Gravesen, Pablo GarcíaForwards: David Beckham, Robinho, Ronaldo
  The match saw goals from Ronaldinho for Barcelona and Ronaldo for Real Madrid.

2. UEFA Champions League: Real Madrid vs. Arsenal

In the 2005/06 UEFA Champions League Round of 16, Real Madrid faced Arsenal.

• First Leg: February 21, 2006, at Santiago Bernabéu Arsenal won 1-0, with Thierry Henry scoring a memorable solo goal. Lineups:
  • Real Madrid:
    • Goalkeeper: Iker CasillasDefenders: Roberto Carlos, Iván Helguera, Sergio Ramos, CicinhoMidfielders: Thomas Gravesen, Guti, David Beckham, Zinedine ZidaneForwards: Robinho, Ronaldo
    Arsenal:
    • Goalkeeper: Jens LehmannDefenders: Emmanuel Eboué, Kolo Touré, Philippe Senderos, Ashley ColeMidfielders: Robert Pirès, Cesc Fàbregas, Freddie Ljungberg, Alexander HlebForwards: José Antonio Reyes, Thierry Henry
  Henry’s goal was a standout moment, showcasing his exceptional skill and composure.
• Second Leg: March 8, 2006, at Highbury The match ended in a 0-0 draw, resulting in Arsenal advancing to the quarterfinals on aggregate. Lineups:
  • Arsenal:
    • Goalkeeper: Jens LehmannDefenders: Emmanuel Eboué, Kolo Touré, Philippe Senderos, Ashley ColeMidfielders: Robert Pirès, Cesc Fàbregas, Freddie Ljungberg, Alexander HlebForwards: José Antonio Reyes, Thierry Henry
    Real Madrid:
    • Goalkeeper: Iker CasillasDefenders: Raúl Bravo, Iván Helguera, Míchel Salgado, CicinhoMidfielders: Thomas Gravesen, Guti, David Beckham, Zinedine ZidaneForwards: Robinho, Ronaldo
  Despite a strong performance, Real Madrid could not break down Arsenal’s defense, leading to their exit from the competition.

For a visual recap of the memorable goal by Thierry Henry in the first leg against Real Madrid, you can watch the following video:

This article was updated 22 minutes ago