Real Madrid Reward for continued excellence

There's no doubt that Cristiano Ronaldo is playing some of the best football of his career and as a reward, Real Madrid have handed him the captain's armband.

In the absence of Alvaro Arbeloa, recently transferred to West Ham United, Los Blancos needed a fourth captain and the Portuguese has assumed the role.

He joins Sergio Ramos, Pepe and Marcelo in the quartet 'responsible' for the first team.

Ronaldo came to Madrid in the summer of 2009 and is beginning his eighth season in the all-white.

A veteran of the squad, he's earned the right to be bestowed with the honour of leading the team.