For the few players that are privileged enough to don the Real Madrid jersey during their careers - even you Julian Faubert - it is one of the most prestigious things that can happen to a player.
The scrutiny and pressure of playing for Madrid is on a different level to most clubs around the world and unless you are at the top of your game, you're bound to be dug out.
Even the golden goose, Cristiano Ronaldo, has been jeered and whistled at by sections of the Bernabeu faithful this season, and he has 26 goals this season!
For the bracket of players below him, it can be tough to get in the team and stay there.
Fabio Coentrao is one of those players.
He signed for Madrid in 2011 after bursting onto the scene for Benfica and impressing for Portugal at the 2010 World Cup.
He signed a six-year contract after moving for €30 million and Ezequiel Garay went in the other direction.
However, since then, Marcelo has established himself as the first-choice left back for Madrid and Coentrao's fitness issues have held him back from competing.
So much so, he thinks his days at Madrid are numbered.
"I'm in no condition to play for Real Madrid," Coentrao told Marca. "I want to return to my best next season.
"I have a contract with Real Madrid until 2019, so if they continue to count on me, perfect - if not I'll choose my own path. Maybe returning to Portugal would help me recover the level of play I once had.
"We should all admit our limitations at some point in our lives and I feel that right now this club demands a level of play I'm not at.
"I hope to play three or four more years at the highest level," he concluded. "I know I can do it."