5 of Real Madrid's top starlets

Real Madrid is blessed with one of the most talented and gifted rosters in world football with the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale, Toni Kroos and Sergio Ramos just to name a few. This squad has enjoyed unprecedented success over the last few seasons picking up five trophies in 2017 alone and three Champions League titles in four years.

Having said that, even the best players have to call time on their careers at some point, so here we take a look at (arguably) the top five talented and budding youngsters at Madrid who one day could step into the team (if not already) and continue to usher in success at one of the best clubs in the world for years to come

#5 Jesús Vallejo

Jesús Vallejo could be the man to lead Real Madrid's backline in the future

Jesús Vallejo is one of the young starlets emerging at Real Madrid. Still only 21 years old, Vallejo plies his trade at the centre-back position, so it would seem that in due time, he would succeed Sergio Ramos when the Real Madrid captain eventually decides to hang up his boots.

Last season, to aid his development, Vallejo was loaned out to Eintracht Frankfurt in the Bundesliga where the young Spaniard impressed, playing over 2300 minutes and even contributing a goal in a 2-2 draw against RB Leipzig, maintaining a pass accuracy of 85.2%.

Following his loan spell, he returned to his parent club this summer to replace the veteran Pepe who departed for Turkish club Besiktas.

Understandably, game time has been hard to come by given the quality of the defenders he's had to compete with.

Nevertheless, Vallejo has done well when given the chance. He's made six appearances in all competitions this season and his stats are far from discouraging.

So far he's made 3.3 interceptions per game in La Liga, better than Raphael Varane and also made 3.3 clearances per game, which is better than Sergio Ramos, whilst maintaining a pass accuracy of 86% (La Liga).

Without a doubt, Vallejo is a talented and exciting prospect and in him, they have an able deputy to call upon when the time comes to do so.

#4 Dani Ceballos

Dani Ceballos could be a vital cog in Real Madrid's future.

Dani Ceballos began his professional career at the tender age of 18 for Real Betis back in 2014. Despite his relative inexperience, the youngster featured prominently for the Andalusian side and duly impressed with his performances.

Over three years, he managed an average pass accuracy of 83% whilst picking up four Man of the Match awards along the way.

However, it was during the 2017 Under-21 European Championships that Ceballos really announced himself with sparkling performances, securing the Player of the Tournament award, as Spain romped to the final.

Needless to say, his efforts didn't go unnoticed as Real Madrid came calling and snapped him up in the summer of 2017.

In 14 appearances for Madrid this season, his undeniable talent has been on display on more than one occasion, chipping in with two goals and maintaining an average pass accuracy of over 94%.

With Luka Modric at 32 years of age and Toni Kroos approaching his thirties, Real Madrid will need to infuse their midfield with young blood in years to come and Dani Ceballos looks like an able and gifted addition to the pack.

#3 Martin Ødegaard

Martin Ødegaard could become an integral part of Real Madrid's midfield in the future

Martin Ødegaard was signed from Strømsgodset in 2015 for a fee of £2.52 million at the age of 16. He played for Real Madrid's Castilla team for around two years before being sent out on loan to Dutch club SC Heerenveen in the Eredivisie.

During his time there, Martin has generated some laudable performances. Still only 19 years old, he has contributed to two goals and four assists in 29 appearances so far for the club. This season he's managed 1.8 key passes and 2.8 dribbles per game, whilst maintaining a pass accuracy of 82%.

Given that Real Madrid recently extended their contract with him until 2021, it's fairly certain that Martin Ødegaard features in Real's future plans and given his steady development, you wouldn't count him out at having a successful stint with Los Blancos.

#2 Borja Mayoral

Borja Mayoral has the potential to become an established striker at Real Madrid

Following the departure of Raúl González in 2010, Real Madrid have failed to permanently address the void of a homegrown striker in the squad.

Jesé Rodríguez and Alvaro Morata both showed promise but for one reason or another, they are no longer at the club. However in Mayoral, Real may have found an ideal candidate to fill the mold.

Last season, Mayoral was sent out on loan to German club Wolfsburg in the Bundesliga in a bid to supplement his development with increased playing time. In 19 appearances, he contributed to two goals; not the best numbers but understandable given his age.

He was recalled to Madrid's first team at the start of the 2017-18 season and his numbers certainly paint a promising picture. In 16 appearances so far, he's pitched in with 7 goals and an assist with an average pass accuracy of over 86%.

Only time will tell if Mayoral can go on to achieve and maybe surpass the feats that Raúl achieved in a white shirt but the odds certainly look to be in his favor.

#1 Marco Asensio

Marco Asensio is undoubtedly Real Madrid's most prized youngster

Perhaps the most recognizable and unsurprising addition of all the candidates mentioned here, this list would not be complete without the inclusion of Marco Asensio Willemsen.

Born in Palma de Mallorca, Asensio made his professional debut for RCD Mallorca at the delicate age of 17 in 2013. Real Madrid snapped him up in 2015 for £3.15 million and promptly sent him out for a season-long loan at RCD Espanyol in La Liga. The Spaniard did not disappoint; in 34 appearances for the club, Asensio scored four goals and assisted a further ten.

Following his successful loan spell, he was recalled to Madrid's first team at the start of the 2016-17 season and it has done nothing to dent his growing reputation. In 66 appearances for the club so far, he has scored 17 goals and procured 7 assists.

He started the 2017-18 season with aplomb rattling the net with two thunderous goals against Barcelona in the Supercopa de España and has maintained an average pass accuracy of 90% in La Liga this season.

Having already developed a reputation for his wonder strikes, Asensio looks primed to set the world of football alight for years to come. With Cristiano Ronaldo approaching the twilight of his career, Madrid will need a capable protagonist to fill those big boots and Asensio has demonstrated the capability and confidence to do just that.

There is no doubt that this young lad has a lot to give, and Real Madrid is no doubt blessed to have him in their ranks. Whether he will go on to realize his vast potential remains to be seen but for the moment, the world is his oyster.

(Credits: Transfermarkt, Marca, Squawka, WhoScored, Wikipedia)