Top 5 Registas of the modern era

#Xabi Alonso

My favourite memory of Xabi Alonso was the way he orchestrated the comeback against a much superior AC Milan side in the 2005 Champions League final, now known as the miracle of Istanbul. Trailing by three goals at halftime, Liverpool managed to level the game in a devastating six-minute spell which included an Alonso goal, when he scored the rebound after his penalty was saved by Dida.

Xabi Alonso scores the rebound after AC Milan keeper saved his penalty in the 2005 CL Final

A hardworking and versatile midfielder, he was adept at playing as a deep-lying midfielder as well as a defensive midfielder shielding the defence due to his technique, strength and physique.

Teammates have long admired his vision and long passing abilities, most notably Steven Gerrard who said he was the best player he played alongside at club level. Cristiano Ronaldo was set to have been upset with the Real hierarchy when Alonso was sold to Bayern Munich in 2014. Alonso was also considered a set-piece specialist and has scored some memorable long-range free kicks over the years.

Famously never winning the league with Liverpool despite being so close in his last season with the club in 2009, Alonso won La Liga once with Real Madrid and the Bundesliga thrice with Bayern Munich. He won the Champions League twice, once with Liverpool in 2005 and once with Real Madrid in 2014.

He won the European Championship twice (2008 and 2012) and the 2010 World Cup with Spain. Having retired in 2017, he is now working on his coaching badges and hopes to get into management.