Real Madrid Players support the ELA Association(Photo Gallery)

Zinedine Zidane and Real Madrid joined forces once again with the European Leukodystrophy Association (ELA). The legendary player inaugurated ELA-Spain in 2005 with friiend and former team-mate Raul Gonzalez. Several children who have the illness visited Valdebebas on Friday and had a chance to meet their idols. In the next couple of days they will take the Stadium Tour with Zidane and will see the banner of their association held by the players on the pitch right before the Real Madrid-Valladolid match kicks-off.

Real Madrid will use their match against Valladolid to spread awareness on the fight against leukodystrophy.

Children with the illness witll see the game live at the stadium with ELA Founding Chairman Guy Alba and ELA-Spain Chairman Bienvenido Corral.

Lukodystrophy destroys myelin (a layer that covers up nerves) in the central nervous system and gradually paralizes vital biological processes. It is currently incurable. Ever since its foundation in 1992, the ELA has tried to make people aware of the illness, to support families of people who suffer from it and to finance scientific research. The ELA has founded 317 research programmes, spending a total of 25.2 millon euros.

The Association's fight is beginnig to get its first results; current research results bring hope and allow scientists to believe that the illness may be treated in the future.

Raul:"We have players that can replace the injured ones"

Raul has been thinking about the current physical condition of los Blancos' squad, which has been ravaged by injuries recently.

With Cristiano Ronaldo, Guti, Alvaro Arbeloa, Fernando Gago, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Christoph Metzelder all currently out injured, some have been worried about how the squad will cope in their absence.

For Raul, though, there is no problem - even with replacing the world's most expensive player.

"Cristiano is a very important player for us, but there are also other injured players," he told Marca.

"We have too many injuries, but we can count on a large squad."

Raul then picked out the Champions League double-header as the most important games in a difficult run that los Merengues are about to embark on.

"Some key games are coming up now, both in the league and the Champions League - particularly the two matches against Milan.

"We will try and qualify for the second round [as soon as possible] in order to concentrate on the league and the Copa del Rey."

Real Madrid earns most from TV

Real Madrid are the world's biggest earners from television revenue ahead of Barcelona as the top two in Spain dwarf the Spanish league's other clubs.

Los Galacticos came out on top in the Football Transfer Review study as they were shown to earn €136 million-per-season from their deal with Mediapro.

Barca are third, below Manchester United, with income of €116 million, while the rest of the teams in la Primera are lucky to earn under 50 per cent of that.

Manchester United are also behind Madrid in marketing; replica kits and other merchandise earn the Spanish giants €129 million each year.

Matchday income is won by the Red Devils though as the Premier League champions make €128 million compared to Madrid's €101 million.

Despite claiming that they have to keep a tight rein on their budget, Bayern Munich are Europe's fourth biggest earner raking in €295 million, with €177 million coming from marketing.