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Zidane, Raúl or Figo - who is the most important to Madrid?

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Che

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
from Opta sportsl:

Real Madrid tore Manchester United apart in the first-leg clash of their Champions League quarter-final. Raúl, Luis Figo and Zinedine Zidane were the chief architects of Real’s victory – Opta look at the trio’s form and invite readers to vote for which of the three they think is Madrid’s most important player.

Looking at how they measure up since Zidane joined the club in July 2001, it is clear that all three play a significant role in the team.

In the past two La Liga campaigns, Raúl has chipped in with the highest tally of goals of the three, but Figo and Zidane have 17 and 15 league strikes between them in that time – not a bad return for midfielders.

Figo has the most assists but Raúl has shown that he can also be an effective provider by setting up the same number of goals as French midfield maestro Zidane. Meanwhile, ‘Zizou’ might be lagging very slightly in terms of goals and assists, but has been by far the most effective distributor of the ball and has been at the heart of much of Madrid’s play.



Last two seasons
La Liga

Minutes on pitch
Figo 4402
Zidane 4610
Raúl 5155

Attacking

Goals
Figo 17
ZIdane 15
Raul 25

Mins/goal
Figo 259
Zidane 307
Raul 206

% shots/goals
Figo 21%
Zidane 20%
Raul 19%

Assists
Figo 17
Zidane 12
Raul 12

Mins/assist
Figo 259
Zidane 384
Raul 430

General Play

Passes
Figo 2404
Zidane 3357
Raul 2061

Pass completion %
Figo 80%
Zidane 84%
Raul 78%

Crosses
Figo 553
Zidane 115
Raul 38

Cross completion %
Figo 21%
Zidane 33%
Raul 32%




The Champions League has seen Raúl lead the way in front of goal, with the Spanish international scoring 15 times in two seasons and setting up eight goals. Again though, both Figo and Zidane’s general play has been better.



Last two seasons Champions League


Minutes on pitch
Figo 1898
Zidane 1676
Raul 2046

Goal Attempts

Goals
Figo 5
Zidane 5
Raul 15

Mins/goal
Figo 380
Zidane 335
Raul 136

% shots/goals
Figo 14%
Zidane 17%
Raul 19%

Assists
Figo 3
Zidane 6
Raul 8

Mins/assist
Figo 633
Zidane 279
Raul 256

General Play




Passes
Figo 1176
Zidane 1299
Raul 820

Pass completion %
Figo 83%
Zidane 86%
Raul 79%

Crosses
Figo 275
Zidane 49
Raul 27

Cross completion %
Figo 24%
Zidane 20%
Raul 19%




In total, Raúl has 60 goals and assists combined in both competitions in the last two campaigns, with Figo on 42 and Zidane on 38. But although the leading all-time Champions League goalscorer is well ahead in terms of goals and assists, Figo and Zidane’s excellent work on the flanks and in the centre of midfield respectively has paved the way for the striker to capitalise, while all three have converted an identical ratio of chances that have come their way.



Last two seasons
La Liga & Champions League

Goalscoring

Goals
Figo 22
Zidane 20
Raul 40

Mins/goal
Figo 286
Zidane 314
Raul 180

Shots
Figo 115
Zidane 106
Raul 209

% on target
Figo 55%
Zidane 48%
Raul 54%

% shots/goals
Figo 19%
Zidane 19%
Raul 19%

Creativity

Assists
Figo 20
Zidane 18
Raul 20

Mins/assist
Figo 315
Zidane 349
Raul 360

Passes
Figo 3580
Zidane 4656
Raul 2881

Pass completion %
Figo 81%
Zidane 84%
Raul 78%




:strong: :strong: :strong:
 
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#2 ·
Come on Che, I can't believe you are even asking this question.

I didn't even have to look at the Opta stats, I can tell you now that the undisputed champion is of course, :star: :star: Raúl Gonzalez Blanco :star: :star:

What this guy gives to the team is indescribable, the passion, the positioning, the wit, the awarness, the touch, the goals, the work rate, fights for every ball....He is truly awesome, unique and above all absolutely untouchable.

For Real Madrid he is light years ahead of the other 2 players you mentioned.
 
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#3 ·
When you have seen a Real Madrid game live, you know that the only answer is Raul. This kid does not stop running or fighting, winning or loosing. No matter what, no matter when.

The only other player in RM that never, ever stops or gives up is Roberto Carlos. I have seen games where ZZ or Figo do not give it all or seemed not to care, Never have I seen Raul or Roberto Calros do that.

Go to a game and keep your eye on them, you get tired just watching them, but never tired of watching them.
 
#4 ·
Raúl is the most important to Real on a regular basis.

But on the big days, and on his day - Zidane is simply the best player in the world.

Figo is world class, but he's one step below them in the football hall of fame. Something like "divine" status and "genious";)
 
#5 ·
All three are matchwinners on their day, and they can be equally important. But the thing is, because of the fact that they are all capable of winning matches on their own, when one of them goes through a very good phase, the other two tend to get overlooked, because the guy in form is running the show. This is why Figo's contribution has sometimes been overlooked in recent times, but hell, look at the stats, and you see that his numbers are great.

Another thing is, the presence of three such world-class players who are actually quite different in how they play is what makes our attack the best in the world, because there is an all-round quality to it that cannot be matched by any team in the world today. I thought Ronaldo's addition would make ours the 'comlete' attack since it would add probably the one thing that was missing, which was searing pace. But it hasn't really turned out that way. Getting back to the Trinity, all three play different roles in our team. Zidane is the maestro, the midfield general, who almost completely controls the pace of the play. Pretty much everything we do goes through him, and that is not a bad thing, because when you have such a player in your team, it only makes sense to give him as much of the ball as possible, because he can do everything. It is not essential for Raul and Figo that Zidane is on the pitch to feed them, but they are fed much better when he is. Figo is the one who hustles the opposition, running at defenders, putting an endless number of balls into the box, and I dare say, although the opposition's main concern must be that Zidane doesn't control the game, what they fear most is the ball at Figo's feet. He is like a striker in this sense. While Zidane may look to bring others into the game and spread the ball around, Figo usually is more direct. Raul is the most subtle of all three. His movement, as pointed out by Ferguson, is mesmerizing. He draws defenders wide, he comes deep, and at the same time, he poaches as well. Almost impossible to man-mark, and when he is man-marked, and marked well, even if he doesn't get much of the ball, he still makes an indirect contribution by taking a defender with him wherever he goes, freeing up space in the box for the others.

From a footballing point of view, I think its impossible to seperate them, unless you put a gun to my head, and even then, I think at least Raul and Zidane cannot be seperated in terms of importance, with Figo just half a step behind. But overall, for what he lends to the team in terms of inspiration, fighting spirit and leadership, Raul is clearly the most important player for us.
 
#6 ·
No doubt it's Raul. Ferguson even said after the game, that in his eyes Raul is currently the best forward in the world right now. I don't know if I would go that far, but he's definately up there in the top three.
 
#8 ·
Very interesting reading,Thank U
I think U nailed it down quite well,Merengue and others
As U say they have different roles
Raul having the true fighting spirit at all times might give him an edge
And at the moment he is in the best shape of his life
but don´t let that overshadow your judgement
All three are important ingredients
and removing any of them, one would have to compare with who would take their place and so forth becomes very difficult
Who is the most essential in REAL is RAUL,in spirit that is
but without Zidane and Figo U would probably loose a bit more
especially if U were facing them

Quote Merengue:
This is why Figo's contribution has sometimes been overlooked in recent times, but hell, look at the stats, and you see that his numbers are great.
I agree with U and what a wonderful goal he did,what a feeling!!!

Quote Merengue:
"I thought Ronaldo's addition would make ours the 'complete' attack since it would add probably the one thing that was missing, which was searing pace. But it hasn't really turned out that way."

Here I would ask U to have some more patience
and U may see that in time that your initial thought will come true
if not the hype detroys him
I think Ronaldo have the potential to complete this attack

U have to have in mind that building a team takes time
and that he still isn´t quite fit
so Patience
 
#9 ·
It has to be Raul, Zidane is pretty close but lacks the fighting spirit Raul has. Figo has his moments but I still think RC is more influential player them him.
 
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#10 ·
Ridiculous question, even though I love Zidane and Figo and they are very important to the team (especially ZZ), Raul is the most important to the club. I would sell ZZ, Ronaldo, Figo and Carlos if it meant keeping Raul!

FORZZA RAUL!!:proud:
 
#11 ·
It's a difficult question and there's no answer to be honest.

Figo: half of Madrid's heart, he distributes the ball, and is mostly responsible for any crosses that go into the box. He also scores when he has to.

Zidane: the other half of Madrid's heart, he distributes the ball, holds onto it until he finds players in proper position. Hence he helps everyone's game.

Raul: the bread winner. Without him, Real Madrid would not be complete.
 
#12 ·
ZZ

what he does is sublime he creates space like its nothing and that enables the rest of the guys to run around and get free and score and even pass.


ZZ is in my eyes the heart of the team, playing wise.

Mentaly RAUL is MADRID and MADRID is RAUL! the young man is the soul of the team and does it all when he can.

however it is undisputed that ZZ is cheif architect
 
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#14 ·
I am not a Real Madrid supporter, but Zinedine Zidane is head and shoulders above any on the Real Madrid roster. His effortless touches on the ball drove ManUtd insane on Tuesday, and the mindboggling thing about it is how easy this genius makes it look. He was the difference between both teams on Tuesday and is Real Madrid best by far, providing an exciting and creative dimension to the midfield. I have never witnessed a Real Madrid midfield that exciting, all the previous ones managed by Heynckes, Toshack, Valdano and co. were all reliant on clinical efficiency and through a very mechanical and structured style of play with less flamboyance and flawless technique like their current midfield.
 
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#15 ·
The heart of Real is Raul but the brain and architect of the team, from where all the attacks start, is from Yazhid's brain and feet. That makes him truly invaluable to the team IMO.

Yazhid is an ET!:proud::star: :cool::heart:
 
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#17 ·
1. Raul- The guy is a beast. He posesses so much talent, its unbelievable. A complete forward that is not matched by any other forward. Don't we have like a 45% winning percent when he does not play? That says alot.

2. Zidane- Man, the more i see this guy play the more i understand that this is how futbol is supposed to be played. He has that talent to make something out of nothing and the thing that amazes me the most is how easy he makes everything looks.

3. Figo- Never liked him infact i think he is way overrated :D
 
#18 ·
Tough, Tough Question.......

Although I think it's unfair to judge all 3 for the obvious, I would say that Zizou and Raul are above Figo RIGHT NOW. After E2K and the end of 2000, Figo went right down in terms of his class.

Raul-Zizou.... don't make me pick:groan:
 
Discussion starter · #19 ·
José Mari said:
Come on Che, I can't believe you are even asking this question.
.
Click to expand...
the devil's advocate:devil:
 
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#20 ·
Raul. <--- full stop
 
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