Ally McCoist is left amazed by Michael Owen's revelation that 'Real Madrid players were paid their wages in lump sums twice a year', during his era with Galacticos

Real Madrid reportedly use a very surprising method for paying their players, rather than on a monthly basis. 

Los Blancos are one of the biggest clubs in the world, and as such have historically been able to call upon resources that most teams could only dream of after years of success. 

No team has won more LaLiga or Champions League titles than the Spanish giants, and they have spent much of their history luring some of the world's greatest talents to the Spanish capital. 

The current side exemplifies this, with Kopa Trophy winning Jude Bellingham - perhaps the brightest young talent in the world - starting alongside legends of the game Toni Kroos and Luka Modric in midfield.  

However, Andy Townsend has revealed on talkSPORT that former Los Blancos star Michael Owen once informed him of the club's unusual method for paying their players. 

'The Real Madrid boys - I know because Michael Owen's told me this - when you sign for Real Madrid they only get paid, I think, twice a year. Twice a year, the Madrid boys!'

'I would imagine it would be quite a lot though,' joked co-host Ally McCoist.

'I was going to say it's a fair old lump that comes flying in twice a year,' continued Owen. 'But I'm pretty sure they only get paid twice a year. 

'I remember Michael saying that when you get there you want to make sure you get off to a good start because you don't want to upset them. 

'You want to make sure that when it gets to December or whenever that first lump hits and goes bosh straight into the old account, that you're doing well!' 

Should that still prove true, that would mean that a player like Bellingham who has signed a six-year deal, will only be paid 12 times until 2029.

Owen has not been on the books at Real Madrid since 2005, having spent one season at the Santiago Bernabeu, scoring 13 LaLiga goals in 36 appearances before a return to the Premier League and Newcastle. 

Real are looking to win back the Spanish crown from Barcelona this season, and are currently hot on the trail of surprise leaders Girona, who have 34 points from 13 games, with Los Blancos two behind them in second.