Granero delighted to don armband

Esteban Granero was glowing with pride after wearing the captain’s armband in Real Madrid’s 5-1 friendly victory over Oviedo on Tuesday.

The midfielder was awarded the captaincy in the absence of players such as Iker Casillas and Sergio Ramos, and felt honoured to lead his team-mates, even if it was just a warm-up game.

“It is an honour to be captain of Real Madrid, even though it was only a pre-season match,” the midfielder said.

“It was a typical pre-season match but we were very focused in the way we played. We did not like that we conceded a goal but we played at a good level.”

Granero noted the performance of the youngsters who were given a chance to prove their worth, adding he is keen to lend them a helping hand.

“The guys from Castilla are helping a lot and are proving they can contribute well. I try to help them with everything that they ask of me,” Granero said.

Granero came through the ranks of the Madrid youth academy, and returned to Real in 2009 after a two-year spell with Getafe.