A RECORD number of youngsters dreaming of becoming the next Cristiano Ronaldo or Gareth Bale have signed up to a training course on the Island run by Real Madrid’s soccer academy — a coup for the Island.

Through Isle of Wight Community Sports Coaching (IWCSC), Real Madrid’s academy team will be taking 96 Islanders, aged seven to 15 years, through the most advanced training regime they could ever imagine — from developing skills to scientific performance and fitness — which will be held at the Isle of Wight — at the Isle of Wight Community Club, Cowes, between August 20-24.

Paul Marshall, of IWCSC, said: “It will be a full-on academy session, coached by some of the world’s best. The kids will have an amazing experience.

"Two will have an opportunity to go to the Bernabeu and play in a game if they do well. We sold out all 96 places within 20 hours — a European record for Real Madrid’s academy, which is incredible.”