Real Madrid Special connection based on friendship

Watch a 12-year-old Ramos score a trademark header

Modric owned the Camp Nou pitch

To an outsider looking in at Real Madrid, the relationship that has developed between Sergio Ramos and Luka Modric may seem a little odd, but it is a friendship that endures.

In fact, they are more than friends - some would even say it's a brotherly affection that the duo share.

They go out together with their families, share holidays...

During the endless days of training, the pair are inseparable.

Last to leave Valdebebas, even when then there is no one left they are still seen there talking, either in the canteen, on the massage tables, in the gym, in the dressing room or even in the sauna - and they talk about everything.

They know so much about each other that in the Spain-Croatia game in the European Championship, Modric was the architect of the penalty missed by Ramos when the scores were at 1-1, sending instructions to the keeper - who guessed correctly.

Ramos' imitation of Modric is one of the more light-hearted moments in Real Madrid's dressing room.

It's said to be so good that the team - including Modric - cry with laughter, and if you weren't looking you'd never guess it was the defender getting the rise out of his teammate.

Two of the best moments in recent Madrid history have come from the boot of the Croatian and the head of the Spaniard - the Clasico on Saturday and the injury-time equaliser in Lisbon.

"Luka and I understand each other with a look," Ramos acknowledged after his towering header at the Camp Nou kept a six point gap between Real and Barcelona.

"Give me a good one, this is about to be over," were the captain's instructions when the free-kick was awarded.

Modric watched, waited, until his friend made the move, and then delivered with aplomb.

As the official whistled for full-time, the pair embraced. "You and me again," they seemed to say.

"You finally got a good one," the captain joked later in the dressing room.

Their closeness is all the more surprising given that the relationship didn't start well.

In his first few months in Madrid, Modric didn't like Ramos' attitude in games and told him to his face.

It was the best decision he could've made because if there is something that the captain appreciates, it's teammates who deal with things head-on. Face to face.

They clarified the issue and, without realising it, sealed a friendship that grew and grew until Lisbon - which brought them together for life.