While the Spanish pride themselves as being less star-struck than their British and American counterparts, it seems that they could have done with scouring the pages of Hola! magazine more diligently before welcoming the Oscar-winning star of Leaving Las Vegas and many other films into their most famous football stadium.

As part of a bold publicity stunt, Italian television presenter Paolo Calabresi contacted Real Madrid to arrange for Nicholas Cage to watch a Champions League match against AS Roma, then turned up at the Bernabeu Stadium posing as the Hollywood star.

Bizarrly, despite looking nothing like the famous American actor, Calabresi managed to fool the management into welcoming him into the stadium’s most exclusive areas.

The cheeky TV presenter received red carpet treatment throughout his visit, watching the game from the directors' viewing area with club president Ramon Calderon and taking a tour of the team’s changing room afterwards.

He was even photographed being presented with a personalised Real Madrid shirt by Ramon Calderon.

It may be that since David Beckham left the team, Real Madrid is feeling bereft of glitz and glamour, making any brush with fame worth the risk of ridicule.