Real legends salute incredible season

Posted Monday, June 04, 2012 by ESPN

Participating in a charity match against former Manchester United players, many ex-Real Madrid players hailed the performance of the current Real side.

The Corazon Classic took place at the Santiago Bernabeu and the two sides boasted a roster of talented footballers from different generations. Playing for Real were the likes of Zinedine Zidane, Luis Figo, Ivan Helguera and Emilio Butragueno while Andy Cole, Dwight Yorke and Edwin van der Saar put on their boots to play for the English outfit.

Fabrice Muamba was a special guest and given the honour of carrying the match ball to the pitch with both sets of players wearing jerseys in support of the Bolton player. The Spanish side won the match 3-2 following up on their earlier victories over the veterans of AC Milan and Bayern Munich in preceding summers. Figo also scored a wonder goal in the game bringing back memories of his scintillating ability to score from distance.

The players all spoke of their pride in participating in the annual charity match, the proceeds of which go to Real Madrid Foundation's academies in Africa. They were happy that they got to run out on the pitch and contribute to a good cause but played down the win when asked to compare it to the current Real side.

"It's amazing how many goals Real Madrid scored this season. Cristiano Ronaldo's feats are incredible; Spanish football had never seen anything like it," enthused Santillana, the striker who was a mainstay in the Real squad of the 1980s.

Bodo Illgner, Real's keeper for two seasons before being replaced by an 18-year-old Iker Casillas in 1999, agreed with the striker as he said: "Real Madrid were very strong this season, especially in attack."

Fernando Morientes, who scored in the match after just nine minutes, believes that Jose Mourinho's charges could go even further and break more records in the coming year. In the past season, Real set the record for most points scored by a side in La Liga by achieving 100 points. Real also registered 46 victories in the previous campaign, breaking yet another club record.

"Real Madrid scored 121 goals this season, which is huge. They are breaking records and could even do it again next year," predicted Morientes.

Brazilian legend Roberto Carlos even joked that the ageing stars appeared to be in full form and would even make the starting berth for most La Liga sides but he stopped short of announcing a return to the club at the age of 39.

"Zidane is in top form and many of the players tonight [Sunday] are still fit to play professionally, but younger players are tough and we have to make way," he stated.

The Spanish side's veterans won the match through goals by Morientes, Figo and Fernando Redondo. Lee Sharpe and Teddy Sheringham responded for the visitors from Old Trafford.