Rafael van der Vaart accepts he must fight for his place in new Real Madrid coach Juande Ramos' plans.

Ramos has already commented that the Dutchman needs to alter his game to be more effective in Spain and the midfielder says: "I'm beginning all over again.

"It's just like when I was 17 years old and playing for the A-team of Ajax on a Saturday. The moment you hear your name in the starting XI, you get excited.

"I am now spending a bit of time on the bench, but that is expected when you consider the competition here."