Varane's most appearances in a single season

With 34 games under his belt, he has surpassed the 33 with which he finished the 2012/13 season.

Raphaël Varane has played more games for Real Madrid this season than in any other. The French defender, who reached one hundred appearances with the Whites in February, has already featured in 34 matches this season. In his first year in Spain he played 15; he finished the 2012/13 campaign with 33; and the 2013/14 season with 23.

Varane has taken part in five of the six competitions Real Madrid have played in this season. He only missed the European Super Cup. Additionally, he has scored two goals, both of which came in the Copa del Rey against Cornellà.

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The BBC improve on their record from last season's La Liga

They have already played more matches together than during the last league campaign.

Benzema, Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo have already bettered their figures from their first La Liga season together at Real Madrid. During the present championship campaign, they have appeared together in 21 games (always as starters), scoring 42 times, more than half of the team's goals so far in the competition. 

On matchday one of La Liga, Real Madrid beat Córdoba 2-0 in the Santiago Bernabéu, with the BBC on the pitch and Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo getting on the scoresheet. Since that day, they have racked up 15 wins in the competition to date.

The inaugural year
The BBC began their life together at Real Madrid on matchday four of the 2013/14 season, in El Madrigal. In a match that ended in a draw with Villarreal, Gareth Bale, on his debut for the Whites, and Cristiano Ronaldo were the goalscorers. The three players featured in 19 La Liga games together, during which time they notched up 39 goals and 11 victories.

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How the Real Madrid players on international duty are faring

Spain and Portugal are involved in friendlies today.

Spain and Portugal will play the last of their friendly games today, while Chicharito and Keylor Navas will be in action on Wednesday. International week is over for Marcelo, who picked up two victories out of two; for Modric and Bale, who won their only fixtures; and for Lucas Silva, Kroos, Khedira, Varane and Benzema, who tasted triumph in one of their two games.

Spain, away friendly against the Netherlands
La Roja will play their next game today in a friendly against the Netherlands at the Amsterdam Arena (8.45pm CEST). In the previous game, Del Bosque's men just about beat Ukraine thanks to a goal from Morata in the 28' minute. Casillas, Ramos and Isco took part in the win while Carvajal did not play.

Portugal take on Cape Verde in a friendly
Portugal will play a friendly today against Cape Verde at the Antonio Coimbra da Mota Stadium in Estoril (9:45pm CEST). In their previous fixture, they beat Serbia 2-1 with Cristiano Ronaldo and Fabio Coentrão in the starting line-up. The Madrid full-back was to the fore in the win, providing the assist for the first goal and scoring the second. 

Chicharito comes up against Paraguay with Mexico
Ecuador and Paraguay are Mexico's rivals in two friendlies, both in the USA. Chicharito scored the winner in the first, which was played at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum (1-0). The second takes place on Wednesday 1 April in Kansas City's Arrowhead Stadium (3am CEST).

Keylor Navas prepares for Panama-Costa Rica
Costa Rica travel to Panama to play the second of their friendly games. It will take place on Wednesday 1 April against the Panama national squad at the Rommel Fernández stadium (3am CEST). In the first game, Keylor Navas played for 90 minutes in a 0-0 draw against Paraguay.

Germany win in their visit to Georgia
Kroos played the full game as German won their away game against Georgia (0-2). Reus and Muller were the goalscorers in Tiblisi, in the qualifier for Euro 2016. In the previous game against Australia (2-2), Khedira was in the starting XI. 

France triumph at home against Denmark
Varane was in the starting line-up and was captain of his side's win against Denmark (2-0). The Madrid man played for ninety minutes in the French squad's second friendly game. In the previous game against Brazil, Benzema and Varane were in the starting line-up. The Madrid defender scored France's goal in the 1-3 defeat.

Bale hits brace against Israel
The Madrid man was the star of the show in Wales's victory over Israel. His second-half goals were key to his side's 0-3 triumph. Having played five games in their group, Wales are yet to taste defeat in qualifying for Euro 2016.

Marcelo plays in Brazil's win over Chile
The left back, who started the game, played 75 minutes in the friendly at the Emirates Stadium in London. Brazil just about managed to beat Chile. The Brazilian side ended their stay in Europe, where they had already beaten France in the friendly played in Saint-Denis (1-3). Marcelo played the last few minutes of that game.

Lucas Silva, draw with Brazil's Olympic side
The Brazilian Olympic side drew at home in their friendly against Mexico (0-0). Lucas Silva played the last half hour of the game. In the first game, Brazil thrashed Paraguay 4-1 with a goal from the Madrid player, two from Vicky and one from Talisca.

Modric's Croatia side thrash Norway
The Whites midfielder started and played the full match in a 5-1 win against Norway. The Croatian national team remain unbeaten in their quest to reach the European Championship in France, with four victories and a draw.

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Lucas Silva open to temporary Real Madrid exit

The Brazilian believes a spell away from the Santiago Bernabeu could help his first-team prospects in the long term

Real Madrid midfielder Lucas Silva admits he could be tempted by a loan move following reports linking him withPorto.

The 22-year-old joined Madrid from Cruzeiro in the January transfer window, but has so far been unable to secure regular first-team action at the Santiago Bernabeu.

A number of reports suggested that Madrid are ready to farm the Brazilian out on loan next term, with Porto allegedly sitting in pole position to secure Lucas Silva's services.

The youngster has made it clear that he has not held talks with the Portuguese side as of yet, but added that a loan spell would not necessarily be a bad thing.

"I was astonished with the news about a potential loan move to Porto. I have not heard anything about it," Lucas Silva told Globo Esporte.

"I have a contract with Real Madrid and I want to fulfil it. I have already had opportunities and I think I have the ability to be in the team and to play.

"But a loan move could be a good option."

Lucas Silva would follow in the footsteps of compatriot Casemiro if he were to leave Madrid for a temporary spell with Porto.

The latter joined Julen Lopetegui's side ahead of the 2014-15 campaign and has been in sublime form at Estadio do Dragao this term.

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Schalke do not need Champions League football to sign Khedira, says Heldt

The Bundesliga outfit are in a battle to qualify for next season's tournament but remain confident they can win the race for the Real Madrid midfielder

Schalke sporting director Horst Heldt has stressed that failing to qualify for the Champions League will not have any effect on their attempts to sign Real Madrid midfielder Sami Khedira.

The Germany international confirmed earlier in March that he will leave the Santiago Bernabeu when his contract expires at the end of the season and Schalke are among the main candidates to sign him.

Although the Gelsenkirchen side are in danger of missing out on Champions League football next term, currently sitting fifth in the Bundesliga table, they remain optimistic about their chances of luring Khedira back to the Bundesliga.

"Decisions regarding individual players do not depend on whether we will qualify for the Champions League," Heldt was quoted as saying by Sport Bild.

"Like before, we are looking at whether a transfer of this calibre is a realistic option.

"But in the end there are obviously things that speak in our favour and other things that speak in other clubs' favour.

"We are not the only club that are interested in signing Khedira."

The 27-year-old started his professional career at Stuttgart before joining Madrid in the summer of 2010. He has since made over 100 La Liga appearances for the European champions.

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Leno: Real Madrid? I am focused on Leverkusen

The goalkeeper is not getting carried away following reports that the Champions League holders are keeping a close eye on his development

Bernd Leno has insisted that he is focused on Bayer Leverkusen amid reports that Real Madrid are keeping tabs on him.

The Santiago Bernabeu side reportedly see the 23-year-old as a potential long-term replacement for current first-choice goalkeeper Iker Casillas and have scouted him on a number of occasions.

Nevertheless, Leno is not thinking about a potential transfer to Madrid just yet.

"Real Madrid interest? This is the first time I hear about it," Leno was quoted as saying by Bild.

"But I do not want to take part in speculations.

"What's clear is that Bayer are my club at the moment and I am feeling very well at Leverkusen."

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Chicharito admits: My confidence is rock-bottom at Real Madrid

The Mexican striker is unhappy with life at the Santiago Bernabeu and feels a lack of support following his loan move from Manchester United

Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez has admitted that he is growing increasingly frustrated with a lack of regular first-team football at Real Madrid.

The Mexico international, who scored a fine goal in his country's 1-0 win over Ecuador at the weekend, joined Madrid from Manchester United on a one-year loan deal at the start of the season but has so far been unable to win over head coach Carlo Ancelotti.

The 26-year-old has made just 13 appearances in La Liga so far this term - starting only once - and has just three goals to his name, and he admits his confidence has reached rock-bottom.

"My situation is frustrating. I participate, give my all in training but, as far as for playing in matches, the opportunities are minimal. I belong to a team, but am not part of the important bit, the actual games," the striker told Fox Sports .

"Sometimes my confidence is right down on the ground, even though I am trying for it to be up there, with the help of the people who are always at my side and who support me.

"The most important thing is to get chances and to feel that they believe in you. Whenever they have entrusted me to do something it comes out positively, but I've been through two rather frustrating years.

"There need to be people who believe in me, so I can at least prove if I am any good or not."

Madrid are unlikely to exercise their option to make Chicharito's stay at the club permanent this summer, with the striker set to return to United come June, where he has a contract until 2016.

West Ham are among the clubs to be linked with a move should the forward not seal a switch to La Liga

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Messi ranked best forward of 2015 but Ronaldo down in 29th

The Barcelona talisman is leading the way for attackers so far this year, with Arjen Robben and Bas Dost following in second and third respectively

Lionel Messi has been rated the best attacker of 2015 so far, with Cristiano Ronaldo slumped down in 29th.

The CIES Football Observatory considers six different aspects of a player to build a ranking of the best performing players in each position so far in the calendar year with the exception of goalkeepers.

Real Madrid have been struggling since the turn of the year, having won just one of their last five games in all competition, most recently losing 2-1 to Barcelona to go four points behind their rivals in La Liga.

Ronaldo's performances have suffered as a result, while Messi has been in sublime form and has overtaken his Portuguese rival at the top of the league goalscoring charts.

The Barcelona talisman tops the chart, with Bayern Munich star Arjen Robben and in-form Wolfsburg attacker Bas Dost in second and third respectively.

Luis Suarez is next in line with Diego Costa in fifth, while Tottenham's high-flyer Harry Kane follows close behind.

Ronaldo is a long way from his rivals in 29th, but Real Madrid team-mates Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema are even further behind in the 35th and 37th respectively.

Bayer Leverkusen's Emir Spahic is the top rated centre-back so far, with Martin Demichelis and Mats Hummels behind him.

Manchester City defender Gael Clichy leads the way for full-backs, rated above Real Madrid's Marcelo in second and Bayern's Rafinha.

Meanwhile, Nuri Sahin is the best central midfielder ahead of Paul Pogba and Manchester City's Fernandinho, while Eden Hazard and Mesut Ozil are considered the join-best attacking midfielders, with Jesus Navas and Kevin De Bruyne behind him.

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Basket-Bale! Real Madrid star shows off shooting skills

The Wales international made three of his five attempts before challenging Luka Modric and Lewis Hamilton to try to beat his record

As well as showing off his excellent free kick skills in the international break, Gareth Bale has been showing off his brilliant basketball ability too.

The Real Madrid star attempted the NBA half-court challenge, attempting five shots from the halfway mark on the basketball court.

Bale performed remarkably well in the challenge, making three of the five attempts before challenging Madrid team-mate Luka Modric and Formula 1 star Lewis Hamilton to try their hand at it next.

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Coentrao: Playing for Manchester United would be an honour

The Portugal international has been repeatedly linked with the 20-time English champions but he wants Carlo Ancelotti to show him more faith at the Santiago Bernabeu

Real Madrid defender Fabio Coentrao has admitted it would be an honour to play for Manchester United amid reported interest from the Red Devils.

The left-back has been linked with the Old Trafford outfit for a number of years, with the 20-time English champions enquiring about his services in January 2014.

And the 27-year-old, a close friend of Cristiano Ronaldo at Madrid, has revealed he has admired the club for some time and would be keen to join them should United look to sign him.

"It's [Manchester United] one of the best clubs in the world, a club I admire greatly. It would be an honour to play there," he told O Jogo.

The Portugal international also commented on the prospect of a return to Benfica, though he was keen to stress he still has four years left on his contract at the Santiago Bernabeu and has urged coach Carlo Ancelotti to show more faith in his abilities.

"Everyone knows that Benfica is my home and I love Benfica. I have a special affection for the club but I still have four years left on my contract with Real Madrid.

"I hope to have more minutes at Real Madrid, though the coach needs to trust me more, something that has not happened so far."

Coentrao, who scored Portugal's winning goal in the Euro 2016 qualifier with Serbia at the weekend, has made 14 appearances in all competitions for Madrid this season.

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