Champions League Where Are They Now?: Real Madrid 2001-02

 Real Madrid's 2001-02 UCL Winning Squad: Where are they now?

15 May 2002: Hampden Park, Glasgow, Scotland

Bayer Leverkusen 1 - 2 Real Madrid

In Glasgow, Real Madrid became winners of the Champions League for the second time in three seasons after the heroics from Zinedine Zidane and Raul. It was number nine for Real Madrid as they overcame, first time finalists, Bayer Leverkusen. Where is Real Madrid's winning squad for the 2002 Champions League now?

1) Iker Casillas (#1)

Casillas was a true icon for Real Madrid and because of this, he is regarded as one of the best goalkeepers of his generation. He is regarded as Real Madrid's greatest goalkeeper in their history. He came on as a substitute following the injury of starting goalkeeper, Cesar. Following the Glasgow, Casillas won 4 La Liga titles, 2 Copa Del Reys, 3 Supercopas, 2 UEFA Super Cup, 2 Club World Cups and another Champions League in 2014. He left Real Madrid a legend in 2015, and made a move to Portugal to play for FC Porto, where he won 1 league title and 1 Portuguese cup. He retired from football in 2020, following a great career. Internationally, he won back to back European Championships between 2008 in Austria/Switzerland and 2012 in Poland/Ukraine, and best of all, the World Cup in 2010 in South Africa, being the captain for all the final wins. He currently works as a commentator.

2) Michel Salgado (#2)

Salgado was one of Real Madrid's best defenders up to the final in Glasgow. Alongside Roberto Carlos, he got a yellow card in the match as he played the full match in Glasgow. After the final in Glasgow, Salgado spent another six years in Real Madrid, winning 3 La Liga titles, 2 Supercopas, 1 Club World Cup and 1 Super Cup. After many successful years with the club, he joined Blackburn Rovers for 3 seasons in the Premier League. He retired at the end of the 2011-12 season, following a very successful career. He returned to football playing for Independiente. However, he made only one appearance for the Paraguayan club. Internationally, he spent 8 years with the Spanish national team. He appeared for Spain at the 2002 World Cup in South Korea/Japan and 2004 European Championship in Portugal. He is the current manager for the Galicia national football team. 

3) Roberto Carlos (#3)

Carlos is regarded as one of the best left backs in the world due to his style of play, many honors and his amazing free kick goals. He was only 1 of 2 players in Real Madrid who received yellow cards in the match, alongside fellow defender partner, Michel Salgado. Following the Glasgow finale. Carlos won 2 La Liga titles, 1 Supercopa, 1 Super Cup and 1 Club World Cup. In 2007, Carlos left Real Madrid a legend and joined Turkish side, Fenerbahce for 2 seasons and won the Turkish League in his first season. In 2009, Carlos left Turkey and after one year, returned to Brazil to play for Corinthians alongside former Brazil and Real Madrid teammate, Ronaldo. After many criticism, Carlos returned to European football and played for Russian side, Anzhi Makhachkala for two-and-a-half years. He then retired with Indian Super League side, Delhi Dynamos as a player-manager and retired in 2016. Internationally, he won the World Cup in 2002 in South Korea/Japan and was a runner-up in the 1998 World Cup in France. He was named in the team of the tournament in both finals. He won 2 Copa Americas, in 1997 in Bolivia and in 1999 in Paraguay. He was a runner-up in 1995 in Uruguay. He also won the 1997 FIFA Confederations Cup in Saudi Arabia. He was also a bronze medalist in the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, USA. He has managerial experience in Russia, Turkey and India. 

4) Fernando Hierro (#4)

Hierro was the captain for Real Madrid on the road to victory in Glasgow and was starting to make himself an icon for the Spanish champions. In the final, Hierro played the full match as captain and was the first person to lift the trophy and lead the celebrations. Since the final is Glasgow, Hierro captained Madrid to another league title the following season as well as a UEFA Super Cup and a Club World Cup. He left Real in 2003, and joined Qatari side Al-Rayyan. He made 19 appearances for the club and scored 3 goals. He returned to Europe to play for Blackburn Rovers in the English Premier League. Making 29 appearances and scoring once only, Hierro retired from football in May 2005. Internationally, he made 4 World Cup and 2 UEFA European Championship appearances. He retired from the national team in 2002 after the World Cup after a shock quarter-final elimination from co-hosts, South Korea. He was the manger for Spain in the 2018 World Cup but stepped down after a Round of 16 defeat against hosts, Russia. He currently works as the sporting director for C.D Guadalajara. 

5) Zinedine Zidane (#5)

Zidane was an absolute masterclass of a player for Real Madrid and his national team, France. Zidane's contributions in Glasgow included a sumptuous volley in the 45th minute which would go down as one of the greatest Champions League goals of all time. He was awarded man of the match for his stunning performance. After the final, Zidane stayed until 2006 with Real Madrid, winning 1 La Liga, 1 Supercopa, 1 Club World Cup and 1 Super Cup. He retired from football at the end of the 2005-06 season. On international level, Zidane was a true icon for French football. He won the World Cup in 1998 in France itself after netting two goals in the final against Brazil. In 2000, Zidane won another trophy for France, winning the European Championship in Netherlands/Belgium. He made another World Cup final in 2006, scoring again in the final against Italy before his famous headbutt sending off against Marco Materazzi. France ending up losing the final on penalties and Zidane retired with a World Cup defeat and sending off. He returned to Real Madrid in 2013 as an assistant manager for Carlo Ancelotti. In 2014, he became manager of Real Madrid's B team between then and 2016. In 2016, he was promoted to Real Madrid's manager. In his spell with Los Blancos, he won 3 Champions League titles in a row between 2016 and 2018. He also won La Liga in 2017, a Supercopa in 2017 and 2 Super Cups and Club World Cups. He left a few days after the 2018 Champions League final and returned in 2019 following poor management from Julen Lopetegui and Santiago Solari. He won La Liga and the Supercopa de Espana in 2020. His second spell ended in 2021. 

6) Ivan Helguera (#6)

Ivan started the match in Glasgow and played the full match until full time. He stayed with Real Madrid until 2007 and won 2 La Liga titles, 1 Supercopa, 1 Club World Cup and 1 Super Cup. He made a move to Valencia in the summer of 2007 and after one season in Mestalla and winning the Copa Del Ray in 2008, he retired from football. He made appearances for Spain in two European Championships (2000 and 2004) and the World Cup in 2002. He was the manager of Las Rozas (5th tier of Spanish football) back in 2020.

7) Raul (#7)

Raul was an icon for Spanish football and Real Madrid. Raul was 25 when Madrid won the Champions League in 2002 and was starting to make a name for himself to the football world. His contributions in Glasgow included opening the scoring in the final by slotting a clean strike past Bayer Leverkusen goalkeeper, Hans-Jorg Butt. He then went on to be Real Madrid's captain in 2003 when captain, Fernando Hierro left the club in 2003. He won another 3 La Liga titles 2 Supercopa de Espanas, 1 Club World Cup and 1 Super Cup. He left Real Madrid in 2010 a club legend and joined Bundesliga side, Schalke 04. He won the DFB Pokal and DFL Supercup in 2011 in his two year stay at the club. In 2012, Raul left Schalke and played for Al Sadd in Qatar for two year winning local trophies before retiring in USA with New York Cosmos winning a domestic treble in 2015. Internationally, Raul appeared in three World Cups (1998, 2002, 2006) and 2 UEFA Euros (2000, 2004). He is the second highest goal scorer in Spanish national team history. He is currently the manager of Real Madrid Castilla. 

8) Steve McManaman (#8)

McManaman started the match in Glasgow as an unused substitute until the 61st minute where he came on as a substitute for Luis Figo. He then won another La Liga and for the first time, won the UEFA Super Cup. He then left Real Madrid in 2003, and returned to England to play for Manchester City for two seasons. Once his contract with Man City expired, he retired from football. For England, McManaman appeared in 2 European Championships (1996 and 2000) and a World Cup (1998) before retiring from the national squad in 2001.

9) Fernando Morientes (#9)

Fernando was a crucial striker for Real Madrid and was scoring a ton of important goals for Real Madrid. Morientes played the full match in Glasgow but unlike the 2000 final in Paris, he didn't get his name on the scoresheet. After the final in Scotland, Morientes won another La Liga title and the Club World Cup. He was sent on a season-long loan at AS Monaco and made another Champions League final only falling short to Jose Mourinho's, Porto. He returned to Real Madrid only to play for them for another season before leaving for Liverpool. During his time in Merseyside, Morientes won another UEFA Super Cup after Liverpool's 2005 Champions League success and the FA Cup in 2006. At the end of the 2006 season, he returned to Spain to play for Valencia. During his time in Andalusia, he only won the Copa Del Ray in 2008. After his 3 year spell with the Andalusian club, he joined Olympique Marseille in France but his stay with the French team was short and eventually, he retired at the end on the 2009-10 season. Internationally, he appeared for Spain at 2 World Cups in 1998 and 2002 and 2 European Championships in 2000 and 2004.

10) Luis Figo (#10)

Figo was one of the world's best players and even won the Ballon D'or in 2000 for his amazing game play. He started the match in Glasgow, but came off via substitution in the 61st minute for Steve McManaman. After the final in Scotland, he played for Real for 3 more seasons, winning 1 La Liga, Supercopa, Club World Cup and Super Copa. He made a move to Italy in 2005 to play for Inter Milan. During his time with the club from Milan, he won 4 Serie A titles in a row as well as a Coppa Italia in 2006 and two Supercoppa Italia titles in 2006 and 2008. He announced his retirement in 2009. Playing for Portugal, Figo appeared in four major tournaments for Portugal playing in the country's runners-up campaign in Euro 2004 and their 4th-place finish in the World Cup in 2006.

11) Cesar (#13) 

Cesar started the match in Glasgow due to good performances for Los Blancos, but came off in the 68th minute due to a hand injury and had to be substituted for Iker Casillas. After the Scotland showdown, Cesar appeared for Real Madrid for 3 more seasons, winning 1 La Liga, Supercopa, Club World Cup and Super Cup. In the summer of 2005, he made a move to fellow La Liga side, Real Zaragoza but left after 3 seasons due his dropping to the reserves bench. He then made a move to England to Tottenham Hotspurs but left in 2009 after making only one appearance throughout the entire season. He returned to Spain to play for Valencia making over 60 appearances for the Andalusian side, eventually becoming the second oldest goalkeeper in La Liga. In 2011, he made a move to Villareal and after t]making only two appearances all season, he retired at the end of the season. He returned to Valencia in 2020 as their sporting director but resigned after five months in charge. He only made one cap for Spain and that was a 4-1 defeat in the hands of Germany.

12) Guti (#14)

Guti was an unused substitute in the final in Glasgow. Once Real Madrid won the European Cup in Scotland, Guti made a name for himself in Real Madrid appearing for them until 2010, winning 3 La Liga titles, 2 Supercopas, 1 Super Cup and 1 Club World Cup. He then left Real Madrid a legend and joined Turkish side, Besiktas, were he appeared for them for one season. During that season in Turkey, he won the Turkish Cup. He retired at the end of the 2010-11 season. He returned to Real Madrid in 2013, being their youth academy coach for 5 years. He returned to Besiktas in that same year as their assistant coach. He was recently the coach of current La Liga team, Almeria for the 2019-20 season. He made 13 appearances for Spain but didn't appear in any major tournament for his country.

13) Flavio Conceicao (#16)

Flavio started the match on the bench in Glasgow as a substitute and came on in the 73rd minute for Claude Makelele. After the match in Scotland, Flavio spent another two seasons with Los Blancos, winning 1 La Liga, UEFA Super Cup and Club World Cup. He made a loan move to Borussia Dortmund for the 2003-04 season and made 14 appearances for the German side. He then made a permanent move to Galatasaray in 2004, winning the Turkish Cup in his first season. In 2005, he made a move to Greece to play for Panathinaikos. He spent a season with the Greek club before announcing retirement in 2006. Internationally, he was part of the Brazilian squad won 2 Copa Americas in 1997 and 1999 and the Confederations Cup in 1997. He even was part of the Brazilian squad who won bronze in the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, USA. 

14) Aitor Karanka (#18)

Aitor was an unused substitute for the final in Glasgow. He then left Real Madrid that same year of their 2002 victory season and rejoined boyhood club, Athletic Bilbao where he spent four seasons with the Basque club. He then made a move to USA to play for Colorado Rapids, in which he made a Western-Conference play-off final. He retired at the end of the 2006 MLS season. He then was employed as the under 16 coach for Spain before being the new assistant manager for Real Madrid for Jose Mourinho until his departure in 2013. He then became the manager for English team, Middlesbrough and guided them to Premier League football in 2016. He then got sacked in 2017 due to poor performances in the Premier League. He was then appointed the manager of Nottingham Forest in 2018 and left in 2019 after his contract expiration. He then spent his third spell in charge of an English club with Birmingham City. He then stepped down after poor performances, and shortly after, he returned to Spain to manage Granada to save them from relegation. However, Granada's performances were not good enough and they got relegated. After the first few games into the 2022-23 season, Karanka was sacked due to poor performances. He then got appointed by Israeli giants, Maccabi Tel Aviv and guided them too a third place finish in the Israeli league and the semi finals of the local cup. He left by mutual consent at the end of the season, and doesn't manage anymore. Internationally, he only made one appearance for Spain, a 2-0 win in the EURO 1996 qualifiers against Armenia. 

15) Santiago Solari (#21)

Solari was starting to make his way to the starting XI in Real Madrid's squad after better performances in Spain. He started the final in Glasgow and contributed in Zidane's incredible volley. He spent the next 3 seasons at the Santiago Bernabeu, winning another La Liga title in 2003, 1 Supercopa De Espana, 1 Super Cup and 1 Club World Cup. He then made a move to Italy in 2005 to play for Italian giants, Inter Milan. He then went on to win 3 Serie A titles in a row between 2006 and 2008, a Coppa Italia in 2006 and 2 Supercoppa Italia titles in 2006 and 2008. He then returned to Argentina to play for San Lorenzo for one year before moving to Mexico to play for Atlante. He then made another move back too South America to play for Penarol in Uruguay but eventually retired in 2011. He returned to Real Madrid to coach as their youth and B team before being promoted to interim manager and eventually becoming the first team coach in October 2018 and won the Club World Cup in December of that year, before poor performances lead to his sacking in March 2019. He was then appointed the manager of Mexican giants, America. However, a poor run of performances in 2022 lead to his unfortunate sacking. Internationally, he made 11 appearances for Argentina, only scoring one goal in a 2-0 win over Mexico in 2000.

16) Pedro Munitis (#23)

Munitis was an unused substitute in the final in Glasgow. Following the final in the Scottish city, he spent a season on loan at former club, Racing Santander were he started to regain this form. He then permanently left Real Madrid in 2003 to join fellow La Liga side, Deportivo La Coruna for 3 seasons and after a poor first season, he started to become one of the most important players for the team. He then returned to Racing Santander in 2006, and helped his team to a first ever UEFA Cup appearance in his first season. After 5 more seasons with the club, making over 200 appearances in La Liga in his career, he retired after the 2011-12 season. He has managerial experience coaching men's and women's teams in Spain, including Racing Santander. He currently coaches CD Lugo in the Spanish third division. Internationally, he made over 20 appearances for La Roja, and scored twice. One in a 2-1 friendly win over Poland and another in Spain's classic 4-3 win over FR Yugoslavia in EURO 2000.

17) Claude Makelele (#24)

Makelele was starting to make a name for himself in the world stage and his move in 2000 to Real Madrid was his stepping stone. He started the match in Glasgow and played until the 73rd minute where he came off for substitute Flavio. He then made another season appearance for Madrid winning 1 La Liga title, 1 Club World Cup, 1 Super Cup and 1 Supercopa de Espana. He then made a move to Chelsea in the summer of 2003 and after a trophy-less first season, he was a key-player in Chelsea's Premier League and League Cup winning season. His form continued the following season as he won back-to-back Premier League titles, a Community Shield and a spot in the FIFPro World XI of 2005. His solid performances in the 2005-06 season earned him Chelsea's players' player of the year. In the 2006-07, he won another League Cup and an FA Cup but fell short in the Premier League to Manchester United. He made a Champions League final with Chelsea the following year but fell short once again to the hands of Manchester United. At the end of the 2007-08 season, he returned to France to play for Paris Saint Germain. During his time in Paris, his only honor was the Coupe De France in the 2009-10 season. He then retired at the end of the 2010-11 season. Internationally, he made over 70 caps for France and he was part of the French team who where runners-up in the 2006 World Cup in Germany. In his managerial career, he was the assistant manager for PSG and Swansea City and the manager for Bastia in France's second division and Eupen in the Belgian league. He was recently the technical mentor of Chelsea.

18) Francisco Pavon (#31)

Pavon was an unused substitute in Real Madrid's Champions League win in Glasgow. Following the final in Scotland, Pavon went on to spend the next five seasons with Los Blancos, winning 2 more La Liga titles, 1 Supercopa de Espanas, 1 Club World Cup and 1 Super Cup. He then left Real and joined Real Zaragoza, who were in Spain's second division. He helped them gain promotion in 2009. He left Zaragoza and moved to France to play for Arles-Avignon in Ligue 1. He then retired from football in November 2011. He was never called up by Spain and doesn't have any managerial experience. 

19) Vincente Del Bosque (Manager)

Del Bosque was starting to make a name for himself in the world of coaching and already won a Champions League for Real Madrid in 2000. He stayed with Real Madrid until the end of the 2002-03 season, and won Los Blancos, a La Liga, Supercopa, Super Cup and Club World Cup. He then went on to manage Turkish giants, Besiktas for one season in 2004 and left in 2005. His biggest success came for the Spanish national team, he won them a European Championship in 2012, leading to back to back EURO wins and the World Cup in 2010 in South Africa. He then retired from coaching after Spain's round of 16 defeat in EURO 2016 to Italy.

Up Next: AC Milan's 2002-03 Champions League winning squad: Where are they now?