5 Real Madrid Players to Watch During November International Break

No fewer than 14 Real Madrid players have been called up to represent their countries over the next week.

And for some of the European internationals, there is plenty to play for, as qualifying for the 2016 European Championships in France begins to heat up.

For the South and Central Americans, though, it will just be a case of friendlies—that includes Colombia's James Rodriguez, Mexico's Javier Hernandez and Costa Rica's Keylor Navas.

For Madrid's French pair, Karim Benzema and Raphael Varane, non-competitive games are the order of the week as well.

So, casting friendlies to one side, the following slides look at five Madrid players in need of a big week.

Iker Casillas

Manu Fernandez/Associated Press

Iker Casillas isn't in the clear yet. Carlo Ancelotti's faith is helping him re-establish himself at Real Madrid, but the challenge of David De Gea means he needs to up his Spain form.

He was at fault for the first goal in the recent qualification loss to Slovakia, and he cannot afford any more mistakes.

La Roja take on Belarus in a key match on Saturday, which Casillas should start, and then they meet Germany in a friendly a few days later with De Gea likely to take the gloves against the world champions.

Matches: Belarus (Euro 2016 qualifier), Germany (friendly)

Also involved: Sergio Ramos, Isco (Spain) and Toni Kroos, Sami Khedira (Germany)

Isco

Bernat Armangue/Associated Press

Back in the Spain squad on merit is Real Madrid midfielder Isco.

In the absence of Gareth Bale, the 22-year-old produced a string of fine performances for Los Blancos, notably against Liverpool at Anfield and in the Clasico win over Barcelona.

He's looking a much more rounded midfield player, with his defensive attributes vastly improved, and Vicente del Bosque will be keen to make space for him.

If everything goes to plan, Isco could become a vital member of La Roja's squad for the next decade.

Matches: Belarus (Euro 2016 qualifier), Germany (friendly)

Also involved: Sergio Ramos, Iker Casillas (Spain) and Toni Kroos, Sami Khedira (Germany)

Cristiano Ronaldo

JENS DRESLING/Associated Press

After a shock defeat to Albania, Portugal can ill afford another slip-up if they want to keep their France 2016 campaign on track.

Fortunately, they bounced back with a late 1-0 win against Denmark last time out—Cristiano Ronaldo with the winner—and they will be looking to build on that against Armenia on Friday night.

Then, a few days later, Ronaldo and Portugal will square up to Lionel Messi and Argentina at Manchester United's Old Trafford.

Matches: Armenia (Euro 2016 qualifier), Argentina (friendly)

Also involved: Pepe (Portugal)

Gareth Bale

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There are few players in the Real Madrid squad who have as much responsibility for their country as Gareth Bale does for Wales.

And with the Welsh currently top of their qualifying group, they travel to Brussels on Sunday to take on an impressive Belgium side.

Chris Coleman's men will try to keep things tight and use Bale's pace to do damage on the counter; can Madrid's No. 11 help them pull off a shock?

Match: Belgium (Euro 2016 qualifier)

Luka Modric

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Two unbeaten records collide when Croatia travel to Milan on Sunday to tackle Italy in Group H.

Both nations have won their opening three games, and a win for either side here would leave them extremely well placed in terms of qualifying for France in 2016.

Luka Modric, as ever, will be key if the Croatians are to emerge with their 100 percent record intact.

Before then, Croatia are due to play Argentina in London, but their manager, Niko Kovac, has already confirmed the Madrid midfielder won't be risked ahead of the more important Italy clash.

Matches: Argentina (friendly), Italy (Euro 2016 qualifier)