Real Madrid could say goodbye to the title, Zizou and five important players

There is only one match to go for Real Madrid. They will face Villareal on the last day of La Liga with slender hopes of staging a dramatic last-gasp title win. To get their hands on the trophy, they must beat the Yellow Submarine and hope for league leaders Atletico Madrid to slip up on their trip to Real Valladolid. But whatever happens in the title race – Los Blancos will be without six important men next season.

As the last weekend of competitive football approaches, it's getting increasingly clear that head coach Zinedine Zidane and five big players will be out the door.

Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane (©AFP)

Sergio Ramos

Real's much-decorated captain has endured an injury-ravaged season. Usually a dependable figure for the Whites, Ramos has become a liability in recent months. It's unfortunate for the 35-year-old centre-back to happen in the last year of his contract because the club now has to ask themselves the inevitable question: is Ramos' stay worth extending? Since the turn of the year, Ramos has been free to talk to other clubs, but despite persistent talk of a possible move to Paris Saint-Germain, he seems keen to stay. However, his body is telling him that it may be time to leave Madrid.

Raphael Varane

This is an odd one. After ten years at the club and only 28 years old, French defender Varane should be the one to keep a hold of. But the player has recently refused to commit himself to the club beyond his current contract that has another year to run. He's been linked with a move to Manchester United recently and is reluctant to sign a new contract in Spain just yet. Real Madrid will give Varane a month or so to sign on before putting him up for sale. The Frenchman would probably fetch around $80 million in transfer fees – but only if he's sold before September.

Lucas Vasquez (©AFP)

Lucas Vasquez

The 30-year-old versatile player has proved a useful player for the Whites many times. His ability to cover up at right-back and across the midfield made him a popular option to have around the team. A product of Real's Academy, Lucas is one of those players who are essential to the side even though they aren't recognized as star players. At 30, Vasquez will look for a bumper new contract that would reflect his ability and experience. Whether or not he will get that sort of contract at Real Madrid is another matter. He's out of contract soon and would probably be a desirable target for many top clubs.

Marcelo and Isco (©AFP)

Marcelo i Isco

These two have reached the end of their Real Madrid road. A pair of highly successful players who have been a part of the side that secured Champions League crowns in 2014, 2016, 2017 and 2018 have found themselves frozen out of the team lately. Even Zidane, the man who holds them in the highest regard, has stopped fielding them unless he's left with no other options. They will be out the door because the club won't pay their wages for another year. It's best to find them a new destination.

Zinedine Zidane

Boss Zizou is about to depart Estadio Santiago Bernabeu for the third time. He left in 2006 when his playing career ended. Then he departed from the bench in 2018 before returning a year later. It's his club in many ways. He loves the club and is adored by the fans, but it's clear that he's often judged too harshly in Madrid. And with Juventus job up for grabs and a possible vacancy on the bench of the French national team – Zinedine decided to leave.

Gone again: Zinedine Zidane (©AFP)

It's the end of an era in Madrid.