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Where are they now? Real Madrid’s XI from their 2014 Copa del Rey win

Real Madrid’s 2013-14 Copa del Rey triumph against Barcelona was one of the most iconic cup finals in Spanish history and is best known for that Gareth Bale goal.

With Cristiano Ronaldo missing for Real Madrid due to injury, the odds were stacked against Carlo Ancelotti’s side. They flipped the script in the final and secured a memorable 2-1 victory.

We’ve revised the starting 11 from that famous game back in April 2014 and checked out what each of the players is up to now.

GK: Iker Casillas

Second only to Raul in the all-time Real Madrid appearances list, Casillas is a modern legend of the game. With 725 appearances and 19 trophies won for the club, he is an all-time great.

The Spanish goalkeeper hung up his gloves in 2020 after he had spent five years with Porto. These days he is back in Spain and works as the deputy to the Real Madrid Foundation CEO.

RB: Dani Carvajal

Still going strong at 31, Carvajal’s longevity shouldn’t be underestimated. Now in his 10th season with Real Madrid, he is still a regular starter to this day.

CB: Pepe

Age catches up to us all, apart from Pepe it would seem. The 40-year-old defender is as stone-faced as ever and he is still a regular starter for both Porto and the Portuguese national team.

His professional career has spanned over 20 years and he’s still got plenty of life in him yet.

CB: Sergio Ramos

Having recently announced his retirement from the Spanish national side, Ramos will have his full attention on PSG these days. After a tough first year in France, he’s settled in well this year.

Our brains still can’t make sense of the fact that he and Lionel Messi are now best mates.

Lionel Messi and Sergio Ramos in action during La Liga match between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium on March 3, 2019 in Madrid, Spain

READ: Five of Sergio Ramos and Lionel Messi’s feistiest El Clasico clashes

LB: Fabio Coentrao

The Portuguese full-back often played second fiddle to Marcelo, but in the 2014 final, he got his chance to shine. After a trophy-filled career, Coentrao hung up his boots in 2021 to pursue his other passion of being a fisherman.

“Life in the sea is not a shame, as many people think,” he told Empower Brands’s YouTube channel. “It is a job like any other. Not only that, the sea is beautiful and we need it.

“People who love the sea and who want to experience the sea need to follow their dream.”

CM: Xabi Alonso

If we had to bet on which Real Madrid starter from 2014 would go on to become a manager, Alonso would’ve been our man. The Spanish midfielder set the tempo for Ancelotti’s side and was a step ahead of everyone else.

Now managing Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga, Alonso has a bright career in management ahead of him.

CM: Luka Modric

Football’s own Benjamin Button, he’s got plenty left in the tank yet.

Liverpool, England, 21st February 2023. Luka Modric of Real Madrid during the UEFA Champions League match at Anfield, Liverpool. Picture credit should read: Andrew Yates / Sportimage

READ: Luka Modric is football’s Benjamin Button – this astonishing moment proves it

CM: Isco

The Spanish midfielder spent his best days at Real Madrid and in his prime was one of the best playmakers in Europe. Since leaving the club in 2022, his career hasn’t quite been as successful.

The 30-year-old is still on the lookout for a new club after his contract with Sevilla was terminated as he “did not meet the club’s expectations” according to Jorge Sampaoli.

RW: Angel Di Maria

Di Maria had a sublime season in 2013-14 as he scored in the Copa del Rey Final and was named the UEFA Man of the Match in the Champions League final that year too.

Even at 35 years old today, he’s still scoring bangers on the regular for Juventus.

ST: Karim Benzema

Fresh off winning his Ballon d’Or, Benzema is still proving to be as important as ever for Real Madrid. The Frenchman deserves a seat at the table next to some of Madrid’s greatest-ever players.

With 341 goals to his name in 630 appearances for the club, he is their second-highest goalscorer of all time.

LW: Gareth Bale

In the end, things might have turned sour, but there’s no debating the fact that Bale is a Real Madrid legend. His goal in the Copa del Rey final against Barcelona was one of his most iconic strikes.

After hanging up the boots you’ll now find him on a golf course somewhere, but what a player he was back in the day.


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