#8 Vinicius Junior - €300,577 per week
![Vinicius has three goals from three games in La Liga - is he coming of age at last?](https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2021/09/fbfbc-16308238600898-800.jpg?w=190 190w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2021/09/fbfbc-16308238600898-800.jpg?w=720 720w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2021/09/fbfbc-16308238600898-800.jpg?w=640 640w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2021/09/fbfbc-16308238600898-800.jpg?w=1045 1045w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2021/09/fbfbc-16308238600898-800.jpg?w=1200 1200w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2021/09/fbfbc-16308238600898-800.jpg?w=1460 1460w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2021/09/fbfbc-16308238600898-800.jpg?w=1600 1600w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2021/09/fbfbc-16308238600898-800.jpg 1920w)
The jury is still out on Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior, who's yet to deliver on the promise he showed during his early days at the club. However, the young Brazilian has made a fine start to the new campaign. Could this be the year when he finally comes of age?
#7 Karim Benzema - €348,654 per week
![Benzema is just 19 goals away from the 300-goal mark for Real Madrid.](https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2021/09/1d662-16308239827403-800.jpg?w=190 190w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2021/09/1d662-16308239827403-800.jpg?w=720 720w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2021/09/1d662-16308239827403-800.jpg?w=640 640w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2021/09/1d662-16308239827403-800.jpg?w=1045 1045w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2021/09/1d662-16308239827403-800.jpg?w=1200 1200w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2021/09/1d662-16308239827403-800.jpg?w=1460 1460w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2021/09/1d662-16308239827403-800.jpg?w=1600 1600w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2021/09/1d662-16308239827403-800.jpg 1920w)
The Frenchman has carried the side on his shoulders in the post-Cristiano Ronaldo era.
With 89 goals in the last three seasons, Karim Benzema has reinstated himself among the best in the business. He's now just six goals away from reaching the 200-goal mark in La Liga, and 19 away from scoring his 300th goal for Real Madrid.
#6 Luka Modric - €420,769 per week
![Modric's work-rate at almost 36 will put many young players to shame](https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2021/09/57fa9-16308240881305-800.jpg?w=190 190w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2021/09/57fa9-16308240881305-800.jpg?w=720 720w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2021/09/57fa9-16308240881305-800.jpg?w=640 640w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2021/09/57fa9-16308240881305-800.jpg?w=1045 1045w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2021/09/57fa9-16308240881305-800.jpg?w=1200 1200w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2021/09/57fa9-16308240881305-800.jpg?w=1460 1460w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2021/09/57fa9-16308240881305-800.jpg?w=1600 1600w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2021/09/57fa9-16308240881305-800.jpg 1920w)
Luka Modric has aged like a fine wine. Soon to be 36, the Croatian still oozes class in every facet of his game. He can turn matches around with the drop of a hat and chips in with the occasional goal too. He is called a 'midfield magician' for a reason.
#5 Marcelo - €468,846 per week
![Marcelo is Real Madrid's new captain - but is he up for the challenge?](https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2021/09/f5814-16308241415091-800.jpg?w=190 190w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2021/09/f5814-16308241415091-800.jpg?w=720 720w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2021/09/f5814-16308241415091-800.jpg?w=640 640w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2021/09/f5814-16308241415091-800.jpg?w=1045 1045w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2021/09/f5814-16308241415091-800.jpg?w=1200 1200w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2021/09/f5814-16308241415091-800.jpg?w=1460 1460w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2021/09/f5814-16308241415091-800.jpg?w=1600 1600w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2021/09/f5814-16308241415091-800.jpg 1920w)
Marcelo is no longer the force he once was. But the fact that he has been given the captaincy since Sergio Ramos left tells you how important he remains to the club. The Brazilian will face stiff competition from Mendy, though, who has been such an able back-up in Marcelo's absence.
#4 Toni Kroos - €468,846 per week
![Real Madrid's set-piece master](https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2021/09/54ac5-16308242148891-800.jpg?w=190 190w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2021/09/54ac5-16308242148891-800.jpg?w=720 720w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2021/09/54ac5-16308242148891-800.jpg?w=640 640w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2021/09/54ac5-16308242148891-800.jpg?w=1045 1045w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2021/09/54ac5-16308242148891-800.jpg?w=1200 1200w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2021/09/54ac5-16308242148891-800.jpg?w=1460 1460w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2021/09/54ac5-16308242148891-800.jpg?w=1600 1600w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2021/09/54ac5-16308242148891-800.jpg 1920w)
Completing Real Madrid's midfield puzzle is Toni Kroos. The German's impact since joining the club in 2014 cannot be described in words. And even now, he remains a key member of the squad.
#3 David Alaba - €480,769 per week
![Alaba has made a promising start to life at Real Madrid.](https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2021/09/de6de-16308244159847-800.jpg?w=190 190w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2021/09/de6de-16308244159847-800.jpg?w=720 720w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2021/09/de6de-16308244159847-800.jpg?w=640 640w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2021/09/de6de-16308244159847-800.jpg?w=1045 1045w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2021/09/de6de-16308244159847-800.jpg?w=1200 1200w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2021/09/de6de-16308244159847-800.jpg?w=1460 1460w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2021/09/de6de-16308244159847-800.jpg?w=1600 1600w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2021/09/de6de-16308244159847-800.jpg 1920w)
Real Madrid's biggest marquee signing of the summer, David Alaba, brings a wealth of experience and talent. He's incredibly versatile too, capable of operating from various positions in defence and midfield. So far, it's been a good start to life in the Spanish capital for him; Alaba registered an assist on his debut.
#2 Eden Hazard - €600,962 per week
![Eden Hazard faces make or break season as time is running out](https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2021/09/b121a-16308244535090-800.jpg?w=190 190w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2021/09/b121a-16308244535090-800.jpg?w=720 720w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2021/09/b121a-16308244535090-800.jpg?w=640 640w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2021/09/b121a-16308244535090-800.jpg?w=1045 1045w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2021/09/b121a-16308244535090-800.jpg?w=1200 1200w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2021/09/b121a-16308244535090-800.jpg?w=1460 1460w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2021/09/b121a-16308244535090-800.jpg?w=1600 1600w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2021/09/b121a-16308244535090-800.jpg 1920w)
Arguably the most disappointing Real Madrid signing of the century. Eden Hazard' has had an injury-plagued time at the club. Now, in his third season, it remains to be seen if he makes up for lost time.
#1 Gareth Bale - €600,962 per week
![Can Bale prove himself to Real Madrid again?](https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2021/09/fa37b-16308245197421-800.jpg?w=190 190w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2021/09/fa37b-16308245197421-800.jpg?w=720 720w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2021/09/fa37b-16308245197421-800.jpg?w=640 640w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2021/09/fa37b-16308245197421-800.jpg?w=1045 1045w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2021/09/fa37b-16308245197421-800.jpg?w=1200 1200w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2021/09/fa37b-16308245197421-800.jpg?w=1460 1460w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2021/09/fa37b-16308245197421-800.jpg?w=1600 1600w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2021/09/fa37b-16308245197421-800.jpg 1920w)
Almost every team has at least one player who plays little but takes home a lot, burning a hole in his club's pockets.
For Real Madrid, Gareth Bale is that player. Once the most expensive signing in the game, the Welshman is seemingly surplus to requirements at the club. But following a promising loan spell at Tottenham Hotspur, he will look to win over the Santiago Bernabeu faithful again.