Real Madrid will have a non-Spanish captain after almost 120 years

In the last two decades, Real Madrid have not been known for properly honouring their own legends. It seems the story regarding the departure of Sergio Ramos is somewhat different - since Ramos himself is partially to blame for this 'divorce' after full 16 years of 'marriage'.

Besides that, there will be a ruin of a grandiose tradition at Santiago Bernabeu. After exactly 117 years, Real Madrid will have a foreigner as captain. Yes, you read it right - 117 years!

According to Spanish outlet Marca, the club's rules stipulate that Brazilian left back Marcelo will take the armband from Ramos, Marcelo's replacement will be French striker Karim Benzema, while the third option will be Benzema's compatriot Rafael Varane.

It's official: Sergio Ramos is leaving Real Madrid

The same source reminds of the status that Marcelo had last season (he rarely got a chance and he might even leave the club in the upcoming transfer window), and states that if the situation remains the same or similar for the Brazilian under Carlo Ancelotti, the captain band will actually be wrapped around Benzema's arm.

The fourth player in the new hierarchy is Nacho, the only Spaniard in the mix and a guy who has been in the club for two decades Croat Luka Modrić is the fifth skipper option.

The last time Real had a foreigner as their team leader was at the beginning of the last century, precisely in 1904, when the band was around the arm of Guatemalan Federico Revuelto. Before him, foreign captains were only Englishman Arthur Johnson and Cuban Jose Giralt.

The captain's armband has always been valued and respected with Los Blancos. In the last 40 years, nine players had the honor to wear it, and since the Second World War ended, only 19 - and they were all Spaniards.