The UEFA Champions League consistently delivers thrilling encounters, and Manchester City’s upcoming knockout clash with Real Madrid is no exception. These two footballing giants have developed a heated rivalry over the years, with numerous unforgettable battles. As they prepare to face off again, it’s worth revisiting their very first meeting in the competition—a dramatic group-stage showdown at the Santiago Bernabéu on September 18, 2012.
That night, Manchester City stunned the Madrid crowd by twice taking the lead, only for Real to stage a dramatic comeback. Late goals from Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo sealed a 3-2 victory for the Spanish side, with José Mourinho celebrating wildly on the touchline. Now, more than a decade later, we take a look at the players from that iconic match and see where their careers have taken them.
Real Madrid Starting XI
Iker Casillas (Goalkeeper)
Casillas remained at Real Madrid for three more years, captaining them to their long-awaited tenth Champions League title (“La Decima”) in 2014. He later joined FC Porto, where he won the 2018 Portuguese league title. Sadly, a heart attack during training in 2019 forced him to retire the following year. Now, Casillas works as a football pundit in Spain.
Álvaro Arbeloa (Right-Back)
The former Liverpool defender played a part in Real’s Champions League triumphs in 2014 and 2016 before departing for West Ham in 2016. However, he made only four appearances for the London club before retiring in 2017. Since 2022, he has been coaching Real Madrid’s youth team.
Raphaël Varane (Centre-Back)
Varane cemented his place as one of the world’s best defenders at Real, winning four Champions League titles. In 2021, he moved to Manchester United, where he won the FA Cup and EFL Cup before leaving in 2024. Unfortunately, a knee injury during his debut for Serie A side Como forced him into early retirement just two months later.
Pepe (Centre-Back)
The no-nonsense Portuguese defender left Real Madrid in 2017 to join Besiktas before returning to FC Porto in 2019. Amazingly, he was still playing international football at 41, representing Portugal at Euro 2024 before retiring later that year.
Marcelo (Left-Back)
A Real Madrid legend, Marcelo won five Champions League titles during his time at the club. After leaving in 2022, he had a brief stint with Olympiacos before returning to Brazil to play for Fluminense. There, he added the Copa Libertadores to his collection before retiring in early 2025.
Sami Khedira (Midfielder)
The German midfielder was an important part of Real’s midfield but suffered a major ACL injury in 2013. He moved to Juventus in 2015, spending six years there before ending his career with Hertha Berlin in 2021. Khedira was also part of Germany’s 2014 World Cup-winning squad.
Xabi Alonso (Midfielder)
After Real Madrid’s 2014 Champions League win, Alonso joined Bayern Munich, where he won three Bundesliga titles before retiring in 2017. He transitioned into management and is now in charge of Bayer Leverkusen, where he led the club to a historic unbeaten domestic campaign in 2024.
Michael Essien (Midfielder)
On loan from Chelsea at the time, Essien reunited with Mourinho at Madrid for a season. After leaving Stamford Bridge, he had short stints at AC Milan, Panathinaikos, Persib Bandung, and Sabail before retiring. He now serves as an assistant coach at FC Nordsjaelland in Denmark.
Ángel Di María (Right-Wing)
Di María left Madrid in 2014 for Manchester United, where he struggled before reviving his career at Paris Saint-Germain. After seven successful years in France, he played for Juventus and later returned to Benfica. He was also instrumental in Argentina’s 2022 World Cup victory, scoring in the final.
Cristiano Ronaldo (Left-Wing)
Ronaldo went on to become Real Madrid’s all-time top scorer, winning four more Champions League titles before moving to Juventus in 2018. He later had an eventful return to Manchester United before joining Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr. At 40, he remains an active player and holds the record for most international goals in men’s football history.
Gonzalo Higuaín (Striker)
After leaving Madrid in 2013, Higuaín starred for Napoli and Juventus, winning the Serie A Golden Boot in 2016. He later had spells at Milan, Chelsea, and Inter Miami before retiring in 2022.
Manager: José Mourinho
Following the 2012-13 season, Mourinho returned to Chelsea, winning the Premier League in 2015. He later managed Manchester United, Tottenham, and Roma before taking over at Fenerbahçe in 2024.
Manchester City Starting XI
Joe Hart (Goalkeeper)
Hart was City’s first-choice goalkeeper until Pep Guardiola arrived in 2016. He had loan spells at Torino and West Ham before joining Burnley. He later played for Tottenham and ended his career at Celtic in 2024.
Maicon (Right-Back)
The Brazilian right-back had a forgettable one-season spell at City before returning to Italy with Roma. He later played for several lower-league Brazilian clubs before retiring in 2023.
Vincent Kompany (Centre-Back)
City’s iconic captain won four Premier League titles before returning to Belgium as Anderlecht’s player-manager. He later managed Burnley before taking charge of Bayern Munich in 2024.
Matija Nastasić (Centre-Back)
Once seen as a future star, Nastasić struggled with injuries and left City in 2015. He played for Schalke, Fiorentina, Mallorca, and Leganés, where he remains active.
Gaël Clichy (Left-Back)
Clichy won another league title with City before moving to Istanbul Basaksehir, helping them win their first-ever Turkish title. He later joined Servette in Switzerland and retired in 2023.
Samir Nasri (Midfielder)
After leaving City, Nasri had short stints at Sevilla, Antalyaspor, and West Ham before reuniting with Kompany at Anderlecht. He retired in 2020.
Javi García (Midfielder)
García played two seasons at City before moving to Zenit St. Petersburg and later Real Betis. He retired in 2022 and was an assistant coach at Benfica until 2024.
Gareth Barry (Midfielder)
Barry set the record for most Premier League appearances before retiring in 2020. Surprisingly, he came out of retirement in 2024 to play for a non-league club in England’s 12th tier.
David Silva (Midfielder)
Silva became a Manchester City legend before returning to Spain to play for Real Sociedad. He won the Copa del Rey before retiring due to injury in 2023.
Yaya Touré (Midfielder)
Touré was instrumental in City’s 2014 Premier League triumph. He later played for Olympiacos and Qingdao Huanghai before pursuing a coaching career. He has held coaching roles in Ukraine, Russia, Belgium, and Saudi Arabia.
Carlos Tévez (Striker)
Tévez left City in 2013 for Juventus before making a sentimental return to Boca Juniors. He briefly played in China before finishing his career at Boca in 2022. He has since managed Rosario Central and Independiente.
Manager: Roberto Mancini
Mancini left City in 2013 and later managed Inter Milan and Italy, guiding the Azzurri to Euro 2020 glory. He now manages the Saudi Arabia national team.
From legendary careers to surprising retirements, this thrilling 2012 clash set the stage for many footballing journeys that continue to unfold today.
