Real Madrid announce their squad for the UEFA Champions League

Real Madrid have announced their squad for their title defence

Real Madrid have announced their squad for the UEFA Champions League, as they look to become the first team to defend their title successfully in the competition.

The squad has a total of exactly 25 players, which includes their big money signing James Rodriguez and their midfield addition Toni Kroos. It also contains recently added Javier Hernandez, and includes the currently injured Jese Rodriguez, who is touted to be a great success.

There can be a maximum of 25 players on List A and an unlimited number on List B to make up the final squad. Players are eligible for List B if they are 21 years of age or younger and have been eligible to play for the club for at least two uninterrupted years since their 15th birthday. Between the two lists, every Champions League side must have at least eight home-grown players, and at least four of those must be club-trained.

A home-grown player is one who has spent a minimum of three years registered to a club in the same association over a period of time up to and including the season during which he turns 21 years of age. while a club-trained player must have spent at least three years registered to the club selecting him.

This differs from Premier League rules, which require eight home-grown players but have no club-trained requirement.

The squad:

Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas, Keylor Navas, Fernando Pacheco.

Defenders: Rafael Varane, Pepe, Guillermo Varela, Sergio Ramos, Dani Carvajal, Fabio Coentrao, Marcelo, Alvaro Arbeloa, Nacho, Abner

Midfielders: Toni Kroos, Asier Illaramendi, Luka Modric, Isco, Sami Khedira, James Rodriguez, Gareth Bale

Forwards: Karim Benzema, Cristiano Ronaldo, Jese Rodriguez, Javier Hernandez and Eero Maarkanen