EVEN when Cristiano Ronaldo and his fellow Los Blancos strolled from the Hurn arrivals hall into the glorious Dorset sunshine, there were probably still many unable to believe.

This is AFC Bournemouth, the little club on the south coast, boasting a three-sided ground and a financial history so chequered it would almost rival the downfall of Barings Bank.

Five years ago, Cherries were preparing to face the likes of Accrington Stanley and Morecambe in League Two and with a 17-point deduction no less.

On Sunday evening, the best part of 12,000 people filled the now four-sided stadium and looked on open-mouthed as Ronaldo, Mesut Ozil, Karim Benzema, Luka Modric and Sami Khedira walked from the tunnel.

Eddie Mitchell and those behind the scenes well and truly pulled it off.

It still seems somewhat strange to see this club boasting such lofty aims. Real Madrid friendlies, talk of Premier League football as soon as next season, big-money signings and stunning stadium developments like the impressive new Ted MacDougall Stand.

Negativity and pessimism had become a habit for Cherries’ long-suffering fans and there are still those unable to shake off those feelings, even in these times of ambition and relative stability.

For the most part, this game was taken as it was intended. It was a treat for the supporters and an exercise to increase interest in a club that had previously been known only for the shabby and, at times, unforgivable way it had been run.

The tide is turning. This is no longer a laughing stock football club and those lucky enough to watch Sunday’s game, either in person or on various live internet streams, would have seen a decent performance from Eddie Howe’s men.

More importantly, the same people who stifled a chuckle when news broke of Real’s imminent arrival to little old Bournemouth would have seen a club able to lay on a proper occasion for its supporters.

They might even start to take AFC Bournemouth seriously.

There were still those keen to mock, of course. Dozens took to Twitter to pour scorn on the 6-0 scoreline.

Perhaps it was some kind of internal self-conflict. Perhaps it was pure and simple jealousy.

Either way, Cherries supporters should walk tall in the face of such contempt from those comfortably hiding behind 140 characters.

Real Madrid came and played some wonderful football in their stadium. Nothing can change that.

Ninety minutes against the best players in the world, meanwhile, would have left Howe with little to ponder.

But one thing the Cherries boss will be able to take from the 6-0 defeat is that none of his players froze on the big occasion.

They were composed, showed class on the ball and imposed themselves at times on some future hall of famers.

There will be plenty more big occasions to come when the real work starts on August 3 and Howe should take heart from the endeavour shown by his squad.

Charlton at home might not be quite as glamorous, but a good start to life in the Championship could even breathe life into those who still refuse to sit up and take notice.