What is the Real Madrid 10-year prophecy? Viral theory explains how Los Blancos will win the UEFA Champions League

A so-called '10-year prophecy' that explains why Real Madrid will be crowned winners of the UEFA Champions League has gone viral on social media in recent weeks, but what is it?

Los Blancos have endured a difficult campaign in their first season since Carlo Ancelotti's departure, after Xabi Alonso exited in January just months after being named the Italian's successor in the Spanish capital.

Alvaro Arbeloa has since taken the reins at the Bernabeu but Madrid have yet to return to their all-conquering best, and currently sit seven points behind rivals Barcelona in the La Liga title race.

Despite failing to secure an automatic place in the knockout phase the UEFA Champions League league phase, Real have carved out a place in the quarter-finals by dispatching Benfica and Manchester City.

Ahead of their crucial clash with Bayern Munich fans are convinced that the stars have aligned for the Meringues to go all the way.

What is the Real Madrid 10-year prophecy?

The viral theory suggests that Real Madrid will go on to claim European glory this season as a result of a number of similarities between the current season and the 2015/16 campaign.

That season the club claimed their 11th UEFA Champions League title by Atletico Madrid in the final, and fans will hope that the similarities will extend to Real going all the way once more.

The parallels between the two seasons

Fans have picked up on an ever-increasing list of similarities between the two campaigns that only further serves to fuel hopes that the 'prophecy' will be fulfilled.

1. Change of manager following Carlo Ancelotti's departure

In both seasons Real Madrid entered the campaign needing to rebuild following the departure of the veteran Ancelotti.

In 2015/16 Rafa Benitez was giving the unenviable task of filling Ancelotti's shoes, while this season Xabi Alonso was chosen as his successor after Don Carlo's second spell in Madrid came to an end.

2. Promoting a reserve team manager following a January dismissal

Another striking similarity to support the theory is that both Benitez and Alonso were subsequently sacked in January following a series of disappointing results.

In both instances the club opted to promote internally to fill one of the biggest jobs in world football, giving a first major coaching role to a former Real player in the process.

Zinedine Zidane was the beneficiary in 2016, taking the reins following a spell in charge of Real Madrid Castilla before embarking on a remarkable run in the dugout to rival his various successes as a player.

Like Zidane, Arbeloa was also the head coach of Castilla when he got the call to the take the big job having never previously managed a senior side.

3. Drawn against Manchester City in the UEFA Champions League knockout stages

In April 2016 Real overcame Manchester City in the semi-finals, with a Fernando own-goal at the Bernabeu the only thing to separate the two teams after 180 minutes of action.

This time however, Madrid were much more comfortable in their dispatching of Pep Guardiola's side, following up a 3-0 win at home with a 2-1 away win to book their place in the last eight.

4. Unexpected Copa del Rey exits

In both seasons the need for continental success was heightened for Madrid after they had been unexpectedly dumped out of the Copa del Rey.

Their exit a decade ago remains controversial to this day, as they were disqualified for fielding an ineligible player, Denis Cheryshev, during a 3-1 win away at Cadiz in 2015.

While less contentious, their departure from the domestic cup was no less ignominious this season, as they were beaten 3-2 by second-tier side Albacete in the round of 16.

5. Golden Boys winning Golden Boots

Real Madrid have a long history of talismanic stars leading their line and these two campaigns have been no different, with both featuring a player entering the season off the back of a European Golden Shoe win.

In 2014-15 Cristiano Ronaldo claimed the award for a third time after third time after netting 31 times, while Kylian Mbappe is the currently holder after managing to reach the same figure last season.

6. Oviedo return to the top flight

Fans on social media have humorously linked a person being evicted from a cathedral in Oviedo for 'apocalyptic cries' to the theory, with the Spanish city having its own part to play in the so-called prophecy.

In 2014/15 Real Oviedo secured promotion to return to the Spanish second tier for the first time in over a decade. A decade later the club were getting promoted again, this time back into La Liga after winning the Segunda Division play-offs.

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