Where are they now? Real Madrid squad from Gareth Bale's La Liga debut in 2013

Gareth Bale has ended his marvelous career, one in which he won three La Liga titles, four Champions Leagues, a Copa del Rey at Real Madrid. But what happened to Los Blancos' starting XI since their debut in 2013?

Long before the moans, the critics and the "Wales". Golf. Madrid, Bale was signed for 100 million euros from Tottenham as one of the most exciting players in the world. He had lit up the Premier League with marvelous goals and winning games and looked every bit as good as that transfer fee suggested.

He made his competitive debut for Madrid against Villarreal in a La Liga game on September 14, scoring before being replaced by Angel Di Maria as Madrid drew 2-2 away.

We've taken a look at the team that started this game, lining up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, and what they've been up to since.

GK: Diego Lopez

Lopez arrived for a second stint at boyhood club Real Madrid in January 2013 and as a short-term replacement for injured Iker Casillas.

We imagine he expected to go straight to the bench when Casillas was fit again. Instead, his arrival was the start of a wild saga.

After a string of strong performances, manager Jose Mourinho insisted Lopez was the better of the two goalkeepers and kept him in the squad, even when San Iker had recovered.

It was the last straw for many senior Madrid players, who told Florentino Perez that either Mourinho left this summer or they would.

Mourinho received the boot but Lopez retained his place for La Liga matches even after Mourinho's successor Carlo Ancelotti arrived, with Casillas being used in cup and European matches.

Lopez left in 2014, however, to join AC Milan. He is now back in the Spanish capital, as a substitute at Rayo Vallecano, still at the age of 41.

AR: Dani Carvajal

Carvajal was only on his fourth start with Real Madrid in the game against Villarreal after returning to the club when Madrid activated their €6.5million buyout clause to repatriate him from Bayer Leverkusen .

He has since played over 300 more games, making him one of the most reliable full-backs in the world and winning five European Cups.

A club legend and a pillar of one of the most successful eras in Madrid history.

CB: Pepe

Pepe became the second oldest outfielder to play in a World Cup at Qatar 2022. He is still going strong at 39 with Portuguese giants Porto.

Half of the ultimate pair of shitty centre-backs.

READ: An ode to Pepe, the original shithouse that warmed Ramos' throne

CB: Sergio Ramos

The other half of the ultimate pair of crappy centre-backs.

Ramos now plays alongside old foe Lionel Messi at PSG, featuring regularly for the Ligue 1 champions after an injured first season in Paris. The 36-year-old's contract expires at the end of the season and it is rumored that he will reunite with Cristiano Ronaldo at Saudi side Al Nassr this summer.

LB: Nacho

Nacho. He's still there, isn't he? Like Artie Bucco in The Sopranos. Never the main character but featured in nearly every episode of every season of Real Madrid's hit series over the past decade.

He's still around now, with nearly 300 appearances to his name in 13 seasons as a pro. Twenty-two caps for Spain as well, without anyone really noticing.

He's still just 32, remarkably, which means Nacho will likely be part of the Real Madrid squad that win a European 16th in the 2029-30 season, still lurking in the background, still ready to step in when one of the first -choice back four are injured.

CM: Luka Modric

Another Spurs signing, Modric had just made a terrible debut...