Up front, Raul continued the revival that began with the return of Capello and the departure of Ronaldo last season.
The Real skipper played in a more advanced role, helped himself to his best haul of goals in seven seasons and reasserted his authority in the dressing room.
New signing Wesley Sneijder, the exuberant Robinho, Dutch winger Arjen Robben and Argentine striker Gonzalo Higuain also played important roles during the season.
The ever-reliable Ruud van Nistelrooy banged the goals in during the first part of the season, but Real managed without him in the final run-in.