Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez ushered in the Galácticos era when he signed Luís Figo from arch-rivals Barcelona in 2000.
Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldo and David Beckham swiftly followed Figo to Madrid, joining the likes of Roberto Carlos and Raúl in a star-studded team.
Football fans have been putting elite players on a pedestal ever since. Superstars like Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Kylian Mbappé are mobbed whenever they appear in public, evoking the Beatlemania of the 1960s.
Yet the modern game is also full of unsung heroes, who quietly go about their business, without craving the limelight. These players never seem to get the recognition they deserve, but they’ve been integral to the best teams of the 21st century.
This XI is for them: the overlooked, underappreciated players that deserve to go down as legends of the modern era.
Goalkeeper – Júlio César
César was one of the best goalkeepers in the business. The Brazilian stopper played a vital role in Inter Milan’s treble-winning 2009/10 season, pulling off a series of stunning saves in the Champions League.
Yet when people list the great keepers of the era, his name is usually absent. He’s somehow forgotten amid the towering reputations of Gianluigi Buffon, Iker Casillas and Manuel Neuer. No longer. It’s time to put some respect on his name.
César, UEFA’s Goalkeeper of the Year in 2010, won 20 major trophies, and he was capped 87 times for Brazil, according to footy stats site Last5Games.
Left Back – Joan Capdevila
Spain’s golden era is remembered for Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Fernando Torres, David Villa, Carles Puyol, Segio Ramos and Gerard Pique. Nobody ever seems to mention Capdevila.
Yet he was Spain’s starting left-back at Euro 2008, the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012, helping them win all three tournaments. Safe, reliable and remarkably consistent, he brought vital balance to one of the greatest teams ever assembled.
Centre-Back – Sami Hyypiä
In an era of superstar defenders like Paolo Maldini and Rio Ferdinand, Hyypiä is often overlooked. Yet the towering Finn was calm, dependable and brilliant in the air while anchoring the Liverpool team for a decade.
He’s the sort of defender that every team needs, but few fans shout about. He captained the Reds to UEFA Cup glory, and he was integral to their 2005 Champions League triumph.
Centre-Back – Ricardo Carvalho
John Terry was the poster boy for Chelsea’s defence in the 2000s, but anyone who watched them closely knows that Carvalho was equally important.
The Portuguese centre-back was smart, tough in the tackle and excellent on the ball. He was the perfect foil for Terry, and he then played a similar role alongside Pepe at Real Madrid.
Carvalho was never the headline act, but he was always the one who made the system work.
Right Back – Pablo Zabaleta
David Silva, Sergio Aguëro, Vincent Kompany and Yaya Touré have come to define Man City’s oil-fuelled rise to prominence in the Premier League.
Yet Zabaleta was their true heartbeat. This warrior-like full-back bounded tirelessly up and down the right flank during his nine-year stint in Manchester, winning two titles and four cups.
He wasn’t particularly flashy, but he combined relentless energy with defensive nous and a fierce desire to win.
Midfield – Michael Carrick
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Any debate about the best English midfielder of the modern era focuses on Paul Scholes, Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard. Carrick never gets a look in.
That’s unfortunate, as he was key to five title-winning Man Utd teams. He dictated games for the Red Devils, setting the tempo, winning possession and unleashing the likes of Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney.
Midfield – Esteban Cambiasso
Cambiasso did the dirty work with style. He was a tactical genius, who formed the ultimate midfield shield.
The Argentinian international was a treble winner with Inter, serving as the metronome for the Nerazzurri in 2010, and he thrived wherever he went.
Cambiasso is seldom mentioned alongside legendary holding midfielders like Sergio Busquets and Claude Makélélé, but he should be.
Midfield – Guti
Guti was always the most underappreciated player during Real Madrid’s Galácticos era. The likes of Zidane and Ronaldo seized the limelight, but Guti was often the one threading the needle.
His vision was extraordinary, and his passing was sublime. He wasn’t as consistent as some of his contemporaries, but he’ll go down as a cult hero.
Right Wing – Ángel Di María
Di María has been underappreciated throughout his glittering career. He was Argentina’s most consistent player for many years, and he also carried Real Madrid in key games – notably the 2014 Champions League final.
However, he’s always played second-fiddle to the likes of Messi, Ronaldo, Neymar and Mbappé.
Di María has won an embarrassment of trophies for Argentina, Real Madrid, PSG and Benfica, so it’s strange to note that he’s never come close to winning the Ballon d’Or.
Left Wing – Jay-Jay Okocha
Okocha lit up every pitch he played on, whether it was the Bundesliga, Ligue 1 or even the Premier League during his time in Bolton.
He wasn’t exactly a world-class player, but his flair and audacity were a joy to behold. It’s a shame that he never played for an elite team, as this cult hero could have gained the recognition he deserved.
Striker – Andy Cole
The former Man Utd and Newcastle striker is one of the top five goalscorers in Premier League history.
He banged in 187 goals in 415 games, and only one of them came from the penalty spot. Cole also won five league titles, two FA Cups, the EFL Cup and the Champions League.
Yet he’s never mentioned alongside the likes of Alan Shearer and Thierry Henry in discussions about the best Premier League strikers.