In the 1990s, Steve McMenman was a superstar at Liverpool, before moving to Real Madrid and reaching other peaks in his extensive career.
The highlight was 22 years ago, when the Englishman scored in the Champions League final in the Blancos' 0: 3 win over Valencia.
That game, what a coincidence, was the first Champions League final held at the Stade de France in Paris, France's new national stadium, built two years earlier ahead of the 1998 World Cup.
Whenever Real Madrid plays against an English team, certainly when it comes to Liverpool, "Maca" is one of the most sought after and interesting interviewees in the British media and in general.
Benzema in a suit.
Received priority at Maka, Photo: IPI
Yesterday (Thursday) he was asked to choose the 11 best players from the two teams, and quite surprisingly he selected nine players from Liverpool and only two from the Spanish team.
Only Luca Modric, who won the Golden Ball in 2018, and Karim Benzema, who will most likely win the Balloon d'Or this year, are included in McManman's dream lineup.
For him, Allison is better than Thibaut Courtois at the gate, defenders Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson surpass Danny Carvajal and Perlan Mendy, as do the red-brake duo, Virgil Van Dyke and Ibrahima Kunata, better than Adar Militau and David Alaba.
In linking Modric as mentioned is better than Thiago Alcantara, but Fabino and Jordan Henderson are ahead of Casimiro and Tony Cross.
McMannman also thinks Muhammad Salah and Sadio Mana are better than the young Brazilian duo Vinicius Jr. and Rodrigo, though Benzema is better than Luis Diaz.
Real: less quality, more fresh
The conclusion, at least according to McMenman, is clear: English runners-up Liverpool are a better team than Real Madrid, when comparing player against player.
Madrid certainly will not agree with him, but the feeling of most objective fans and commentators towards the final is similar: Liverpool are a better team on paper, but Real Madrid have its known advantages.
Carlo Ancelotti's team arrives in much better physical condition.
Liverpool played until five days ago twice a week, and every game was "life or death".
Real, on the other hand, has traveled in the last four league games, having secured the championship title and retained the strength.
McMannman.
Clear tendency in favor of Liverpool, Photo: EP
Beyond that, Real of the season has proven time and time again that it is simply impossible to beat it.
Whenever she already seemed to be deep in the grave, she knew how to miraculously recover and win.
Yesterday the streets of Paris still looked as usual, as every day of the year.
But starting today, an air train will arrive here to land in the French capital about 100,000 English and Spanish fans who will create a real carnival.
As befits the biggest and most important football game of the season.
Nadav Yaakovi, also on Twitter - nimidana @
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