As stated earlier, the kids team had their official photos taken, both individually and as a team, half an hour before the training session yesterday morning.

Let’s hope this will be the first and last photo of the season!  Remember the disasters from previous seasons, when players AND presidents kept changing and a new photo had to be taken each time?  (Well, I’d be ok if some of the positions where we’re a bit weak at the moment – i.e. NOT the midfield – were reinforced during the winter transfer season, but that’s the only exception.)

Anyway, all 25 players, the coaching staff, JV, FP and club legend/honorary president Alfredo di Stéfano were all present.  They posed together as a team, and the players also had individual photos taken.  And as expected, the boys had a bit of fun doing all of that.

Xabi – who else – looked like he was giving pointers to everyone on how to pose (chin up Antonio!), while Marcelo just laughed at everyone’s modeling efforts.

They were also divided into groups, such as canteranos (I was so sad to see that there were only five, and that only one had made the real entire transition from cantera to the first team), newbies (and a bit horrified to see that there were seven here), and captains.  They were also made to pose with the carnet madridista.  The best part was the change in faces of the new players as soon as the photo was taken.

The players chatted politely with la Saeta Rubia and asked about his health, and he reciprocated by checking out how healthy Cristiano Ronaldo’s leg was.

But with each other, the players let loose.  I loved how they seemed to be trying to make each other laugh during the individual photo session.  I wonder what Garay is saying to Pipita about Sergio?

And even though he’s only 19 and a rookie, Sergio C. was posing like a pro.  I loved how his teammates helped Eze adjust his shirt, and the transformation of Álvaro’s face from grumpy to happy as soon as the camera started clicking.

Poor Cris looked really tired, especially in the eye area, and the cutest moment came when he sneezed.  But like the professional model that he is, he recovered immediately.

And then it was on to the group photo.  During the prepping time, Xabi and Pipita started playing with Sergio’s hair.  I love how they’re looking away with blank expressions when Sergio turns around.

Meanwhile, Arbeloa played with Cris’ neck (looks like it both tickles and feels good, no?) and Marcelo couldn’t keep a straight face for longer than five seconds.

The boys are so adorable!!!

Video here, with strange music.