Real Madrid

As has become custom at the beginning of each season, Real Madrid had a traditional official photo taken. Amid much laughing, hugs and joking around and with Alfredo Di Stéfano starring in the funniest scenes, the 24 players that make up the 2012-13 first squad were photographed for posterity together with Florentino Pérez, the club's honorary president and the coaching staff. Some players, such as Casillas, Ramos, Marcelo and Higuaín, are more than used to posing each year for a photograph that will now form part of the club's history. Others, like Modric, Essien or the academy players Morata, Nacho and Jesús, made their first appearance alongside their new teammates. La Liga won in the last campaign, record-breaking both in terms of goals scored and points won, and the Spanish Super Cup completed the picture.

Real Madrid 2012/13 now has an official photo for a season which is set to be exciting. It's a photo that everyone hopes will go down in history for once again winning important titles. The 24 footballers that make up the first squad began with individual photos. Those waiting their turn made a show of the great atmosphere that prevails in the Whites' team, joking around while their teammates were made up before being photographed. Captain Iker Casillas started things off and one by one they all posed with the new kit, including this campaign's new faces. It was evident that Modric, Essien and the academy players Morata, Nacho and Jesús have completely integrated with their teammates.

Following this was the group photo. With the Ciudad Real Madrid as backdrop and with the last Liga and the Spanish Super Cup, won after defeating Barcelona, completing the picture, the Real Madrid players posed alongside the coaching staff, Florentino Pérez and Alfredo Di Stéfano. It's a squad that's eager to make history, win titles and offer their fans great displays of football and much excitement throughout the season. To finish, Florentino Pérez had his photograph taken first with the honorary president, then with the captains, afterwards with the two new incorporations this season, followed by the seven footballers who have come from the academy, then with Marcelo, runner-up at the London Olympics, and finally with the twice European and world champions.

As has become custom each season, the family portrait included Alfredo Di Stéfano. The president of honour, star of the funniest and warmest scenes, was one of the first to arrive at the appointment and spoke at length with most of the squad, who greeted him and asked after his health. The captains, Iker Casillas and Sergio Ramos, in particular enjoyed friendly conversations with him. Pepe, Cristiano Ronaldo, Higuaín and Di María, among others, also took the opportunity to joke with Di Stéfano. For the purpose of taking the official photo Canon Spain provided the club photographers with the cameras EOS 5D Mark III and EOS 1D X and Innovafoto offered 7200 watts of lighting equipment.