1999 Real Madrid Training – Large

The 1998–99 season was a tumultuous year for Real Madrid, coming off their 1998 UEFA Champions League triumph. Expectations were sky-high, but the club experienced managerial instability, inconsistent domestic form, and an early exit in Europe — all of which led to a transitional phase before the arrival of the Galáctico era.

🏆 Real Madrid 1998–99 Season Highlights

• La Liga: 2nd place (66 points), behind champions Barcelona (79 points)

• UEFA Champions League: ❌ Eliminated in the quarterfinals by Dynamo Kyiv

• Copa del Rey: ❌ Knocked out in Round of 16

• Intercontinental Cup: 🏆 Beat Vasco da Gama (2–1) in Tokyo, claiming the club’s second world title
  ➡️ A season that started with silverware ended with disappointment in key competitions

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Real Madrid 1998–99 Squad

Manager(s): Guus Hiddink (until Feb 1999), replaced by John Toshack

Goalkeepers

• Bodo Illgner

• César Sánchez

• Iker Casillas (still youth level, debuted next season)

Defenders

• Fernando Hierro

• Roberto Carlos

• Christian Panucci

• Manuel Sanchís

• Aitor Karanka

• Iván Campo

• Julio César

• Carlos Secretario

Midfielders

• Clarence Seedorf

• Guti

• Fernando Redondo

• Savio

• Albert Celades

• Steve McManaman (joined the following season, not yet active)

• Peter Dubovský

Forwards

• Raúl González

• Fernando Morientes

• Davor Šuker

• Pedrag Mijatović

• Samuel Eto’o (made brief appearances before loan)