Few players have a CV to match Xabi Alonso's. Not only did he win multiple trophies at three of Europe's biggest clubs -- Liverpool, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich -- but he also anchored the midfield in Spain's golden era, winning the FIFA World Cup and two UEFA European Championships.
He was coached by some of this century's elite managers: Pep Guardiola, Carlo Ancelotti, José Mourinho and Rafa Benítez. Everybody loved playing with Alonso: former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has called him "royalty" and "the best central midfielder I ever played alongside.