The 2013/14 season gave Real Madrid one of the most dramatic comebacks in UEFA Champions League history. Trailing city rivals Atlético Madrid deep into stoppage time of the final, Los Blancos roared back thanks to goals from Sergio Ramos, Gareth Bale, Marcelo and Cristiano Ronaldo, eventually running out 4-1 winners.
The victory ended a 12-year wait for “La Décima” — the club’s long-desired 10th European crown. Eight years have passed since that famous night, and the Galácticos assembled by Florentino Pérez have taken very different paths. Some remain steadfast in Madrid; others have long since moved on or hung up their boots.
Starting XI on 24 May 2014
Goalkeeper: Iker Casillas – Real Madrid Vice-President
A home-grown icon, Casillas racked up more than 725 games, five La Liga titles and three Champions Leagues before joining Porto in 2015. A heart condition forced his retirement in August 2020. He has since returned to the Bernabéu in an executive role as vice-president.
Centre-back: Raphaël Varane – Manchester United
Varane seamlessly succeeded Pepe as Ramos’s partner, forming a calm, athletic barrier for a decade. In the summer of 2021, the Frenchman opted for a new challenge at Old Trafford.
Centre-back: Sergio Ramos – Paris Saint-Germain
Ramos’s 93rd-minute equaliser lit the fuse for the comeback and, two years later, he repeated the trick against Atlético. After 22 major trophies in 671 appearances, contract talks collapsed in 2021 and the captain left for PSG, where persistent injuries have limited his impact.
Left-back: Fábio Coentrão – Retired
Signed in 2011, the Portuguese full-back never fully cemented his place and spent loans at Monaco and Sporting. A 2018 return to Rio Ave preceded injury-hit seasons and, unable to find a new club, he retired to pursue a quieter life as a fisherman.
Right-back: Dani Carvajal – Real Madrid
Carvajal left the academy for Bayer Leverkusen in 2012 but was swiftly bought back 12 months later. Now past 300 appearances and owner of five Champions League medals, he remains first-choice on the right flank.
Midfielder: Ángel Di María – Paris Saint-Germain
Man of the Match in Lisbon, Di María’s role shrank once Toni Kroos and James Rodríguez arrived. He joined Manchester United in 2014, clashed with Louis van Gaal and bolted to PSG a year later, where he rediscovered his spark. The Argentine is set to depart Paris in summer 2022.
Midfielder: Luka Modrić – Real Madrid
Arriving from Tottenham in 2012, Modrić endured a slow start but evolved into a midfield maestro, winning the 2018 Ballon d’Or after leading Croatia to the World-Cup final. Even at 37, he still orchestrates Madrid’s engine room and has lifted the Champions League five times.
Midfielder: Sami Khedira – Retired
Suspensions for Xabi Alonso handed Khedira a start in the final, yet injuries blunted his influence and he was replaced by Isco. The German left on a free for Juventus in 2015, joined Hertha Berlin in February 2021 and retired five months later.
Right wing: Gareth Bale – Real Madrid
Bale’s soaring extra-time header put Madrid ahead and justified his then-world-record £80 million fee. After five scintillating seasons, relations with Zinedine Zidane soured and the Welshman spent 2020/21 on loan at Spurs. He returned to Madrid for the final year of his deal, collecting a fifth Champions League but featuring little in Carlo Ancelotti’s plans.
Left wing: Cristiano Ronaldo – Manchester United
Ronaldo’s late penalty sealed the 4-1 scoreline. Across nine seasons he gathered four Champions Leagues, two La Ligas and four Ballons d’Or. A €100 million switch to Juventus followed in 2018; three years later he sensationally rejoined United, where age has begun to temper his powers.
Centre-forward: Karim Benzema – Real Madrid
Signed from Lyon in 2009 for €35 million, Benzema has worn white ever since. After Ronaldo’s departure he became Madrid’s focal point, amassing three La Liga titles and four Champions Leagues. A breathtaking 2021/22 campaign made the Ballon d’Or almost a formality.