The Real Madrid starting 11 when GTA 5 dropped: Where are they now?

The anticipation for GTA 6 is sky-high, but let's be realistic: it's been building for way too long. The gap between GTA 5 and 6 ended up being over a decade, but that suspense will be forgiven when the game finally drops next week.

Taking a look through the history archives, Real Madrid played on the exact day GTA 5 dropped. They faced Galatasaray away from home in a Champions League group stage match - which is a sign of times in and of itself, because the group stage no longer exists.

Iker Casillas is, by all definitions of the word, a Real Madrid legend. However, to steal a phrase from GTA, he was wasted on the last release date.

After 15 minutes, Casillas was subbed off due to an injury from clashing with Sergio Ramos, and his replacement came on, Diego Lopez.

Where is Iker Casillas now? After retiring as a goalkeeper in 2020, Iker Casillas is the president of the Iker Casillas Foundation. He is also an ambassador for the United Nations Development Programme and LaLiga Icon.

Dani Carvajal was always a mainstay at right back, evolving into the best player in the world for his position.

On the night of the GTA 5 release, Dani Carvajal was only a few months into his Real Madrid spell. Even if he was tempted, he needed to knuckle down and avoid the temptation to pull a sickie to play GTA. Boy, did he impress...

Where is Dani Carvajal now? This one will hit close to home, as Dani Carvajal remains in La Liga, but he only left Real Madrid recently. He now plays as a right back for Getafe.

By this point, Sergio Ramos was well established within the Real Madrid setup. He has played his fair share of Champions League games, but the magic was not lost on him.

As Real Madrid fans became used to, he played the entire ninety minutes. The only strange feeling for him on GTA release night was that he didn't keep a clean sheet.

Where is Sergio Ramos now? Ramos most recently played for Liga MX side Monterrey, but he is currently a free agent without a club.

If you were to imaging any Real Madrid legend as a GTA character, it would be Pepe. On the field, he was never one to turn down a battle, and unsurprisingly, GTA release night saw him pick up a yellow card against Galatasaray.

Where is Pepe now? Pepe fittingly hung up his playing boots at Porto in 2024 after a long career. He ended his playing career how he spent most of

Alvaro Arbeloa wore many hats during his Real Madrid playing days, but in Istanbul, he was required as a left-back. He came up against former Arsenal star Emmanuel Eboue. As always, Arbeloa was secure in his position, and while he didn't provide the high-flying energy that Marcelo did, Real Madrid fans knew they could rely on Arbeloa that night.

Where is Alvaro Arbeloa now? Arbeloa is now a head coach. He currently manages Fulham in the Premier League, who sit 15th.

By this point, Real Madrid fans knew Luka Modric was special, but they didn't quite suspect that he would become one of their greatest players of all time. Lasting 72 minutes before being replaced by Asier Illarramendi, GTA 5 release day ended with a familiar feeling for Modric: a Champions League win.

Where is Luka Modric now? Believe it or not, he's still playing. At 41 years old, Modric still represents the Croatia national team and AC Milan.

READ MORE: Ranking the 75 best players in Real Madrid history

If there were ever a player with GTA-character-like energy, it's Sami Khedira. He could probably run the entire map without getting tired, and that is exactly why Real Madrid often called on him for games like the gruelling away fixture in Istanbul.

Where is Sami Khedira now? Still at Real Madrid! He is Real Madrid's assistant coach.

Isco was still very new to Real Madrid at the time of this match being played, but they were already seeing signs of why they signed him: he was flashy, he was technical and he had a great range of passing. There is probably a GTA reference in there somewhere, but I'm not quite smart enough to make it.

Oh! He actually opened the scoring in Istanbul, so he earned the right to stay up all night playing GTA.

Where is Isco now? Isco is Real Betis' club captain.

One of the hardest workers to ever wear the Real Madrid jersey, Angel Di Maria was constantly an annoyance for his opposing number. That night in Istanbul was no different.

Where is Angel Di Maria now? I don't think Real Madrid should have ever sold Di Maria, but that's a story for another time. The World Cup champion can now be found playing for Rosario Central in Argentina.

To the untrained eye, Karim Benzema's two finishes in Istanbul might appear easy, but Real Madrid fans knew the Frenchman had a habit of making things look easy. He created his own luck all night, latching onto a poor header and striking home from close range.

Where is Karim Benzema now? Karim Benzema is still playing, but he is a free agent after his Al Hilal contract terminated.

It wouldn't a recap article if we didn't talk about a Cristiano Ronaldo hattrick. Real Madrid's man of the match on the night was here, there and everywhere. He responded to every one of Benzema's goals, then added his own on top to seal the deal.

READ MORE: 5 best hat-tricks in Real Madrid history

Where is Cristiano Ronaldo now? Cristiano Ronaldo is still playing for Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr.