A Real World Cup

Posted Wednesday, June 04, 2014 by Marca.com

A Real World Cup

'La Décima' did not signal the end of the season for half of Real Madrid's players. The Champions League final was another stop in a particularly long campaign for 12 members of the 23-man squad. This is a record for the club, which had never previously sent this many men to compete on football's biggest international stage.

A Real World Cup

Almost all of them head to Brazil with a real chance of lifting the illustrious trophy. Casillas, Ramos and Xabi Alonso will represent Spain and are likely to face either Luka Modric's Croatia or Marcelo's Brazil in the last 16. Argentina, one of the other tournament favourites, will be blessed with a buoyant Di María.

The Portugal squad, just like 'La Roja', is honoured with three 'Merengues'. Cristiano Ronaldo will be given the responsibility of taking his country as far as he can with the protection of Pepe and Coentrão.

Varane and Benzema will join forces in the France squad, having both started in Lisbon, and will be among the first names on the team sheet for 'Les Bleus'. The final player to complete the Real Madrid dozen in Brazil is fit-again Khedira, who will form the spine of Löw's Germany side.

The 11 players not travelling to Brazil are Diego López, Jesús, Nacho, Arbeloa, Illarra, Casemiro, Isco, Bale, Morata, Jesé and Carvajal.