Which player can tame the soccer monster?
In Paris, Kylian Mbappe has repeatedly fallen short of achieving success in the Champions League. Now, he has joined the club that reigns supreme in the top tier. And Mbappe is not the only sign that Real Madrid may rule European football for years to come.
On this particular Monday, one can't helped but be reminded of Franz Beckenbauer. Following Germany's World Cup victory in 1990 in Rome, Beckenbauer spoke with great excitement about how this team would be "unbeatable for years to come." The prospect of uniting the best players from both East and West Germany brought him enormous joy and hope. That he didn't quite hold onto that hope in the end? A royal blunder, not worth mentioning. Now, there's another team poised to challenge for that title: Real Madrid.
Ever since the excitement of the Champions League triumph at Wembley has faded away, there's yet another reason to celebrate: The mega-deal with superstar Kylian Mbappe is finally complete. After a long courtship, the Royals and the Frenchman are now officially engaged. And this is sure to be enjoyable and thrilling, at least on the field. Because the 25-year-old, following his tenure at Paris Saint-Germain, is no longer your typical player. As a consistent agitator, he spurred his team forward and saw his salary skyrocket. Following seven years together, there were six league titles and four cup wins. The elusive first trophy in the Champions League, however, always eluded him, as they fell short against FC Bayern (0:1) in the final.
This could change now. Mbappe has joined the ruler of the Champions League. Since 2014, the silver trophy has been brought to the Santiago Bernabeu six times. Madrid's dominance of the competition was on full display against Borussia Dortmund. The Black and Yellows put Madrid under significant pressure for 45 minutes, continuously pushing them back. After the 60th minute, it seemed the upset was on the cards, only for Madrid to brutally strike back. Toni Kroos delivered a corner kick, Dani Carvajal headed it in, and the score was 1-0. That was all she wrote. Shortly afterwards, the 2-0 followed, with any remaining doubts about the result formulating.
Now, a new era in Madrid is beginning to wind down. Kroos' time as a club footballer has come to an end. In previous years, other legends had moved on, leaving their footprints behind. But Real Madrid never skipped a beat, continued pushing forward. Beyond Ramos' legacy, beyond that of Cristiano Ronaldo. And Benzema. But contrary to many other teams in Europe, Real was always able to fill the gaps, dampen the turmoil. In central defense, Rudiger and Nacho provide stability. Or Alaba, when he's fit again. In the attack, Vinicius Junior has rattled opponents' nerves, at the very least, and won over his own fans' hearts.
In the midfield, Jude Bellingham, who arrived last year, joins the fray. The young Englishman had transferred from Borussia Dortmund, and quickly became a world-class player. And he is set to conduct this new Madrid orchestra for years to come. Due to the signing of Mbappe, Bellingham will now play a slightly different role, no longer as a goal-scoring machine. But what's the big deal, what's the problem for such a behemoth team? Mbappe, Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo, the next big thing, then Bellingham. When this all-star cast comes together, it creates a force that's difficult to control.
The departure of Kroos doesn't seem like an insurmountable obstacle, as the (player) prospects are so promising. The German at Madrid is a legend, and that means something, because this club certainly hasn't been wanting for great footballers. But they were prepared for his exit. They've been planning for it for ages. With Fede Valverde, who's only 25, with Aurelien Tchouame, who's only 24, and Eduardo Camavinga, who's only 21, the successors have been groomed in the background. For Kroos, for Luka Modric, who still wants to play for another year. And also for Casemiro, the third great player in Madrid's midfield of the last decade. He's already moved on, to Manchester United.
Which team can dethrone this powerhouse? It's a valid question that doesn't have an answer just yet. Paris Saint-Germain won't be a realistic threat to them, as they're currently rebuilding and concluding the Mbappe era with consoling remarks from President Nasser Al-Khelaifi, stating, "He came to us when he was about 18 years old and now he's a grown man, the best player in the world." However, their exit wasn't so cordial, according to an L'Équipe report, as Mbappe was waiting for payment of his April salary and February bonuses. It wasn't a romantic departure, rather "Hala Madrid!"
Real Madrid's eventual fall is a certainty, though. It's the rising stars, like Vinicius Junior, who often dictate the outcome of big games—like Real Madrid's semifinal against Liverpool in the Champions League. Bayern Munich struggled against a striker that was loaned from a second-tier club and now contributed to Real's invincible legacy—Joselu. Despite not making much of an impact in Hoffenheim, Frankfurt, or Hannover, Joselu scored two late goals (thanks to Manuel Neuer's mistake) to eliminate Bayern. Real Madrid's star-studded team will be wary of such unforeseen events.
Enter Endrick, a 16-year-old Brazilian striker who's been making news with his outstanding performances. He's already scored two goals for the national team that grabbed everyone's attention. In a match against Ghana, he netted the game-winning goal in the 90th minute, and against Tunisia, he equalized in the 89th minute. These feats have turned him into one of the most sought-after young players globally, with top-tier clubs such as Real Madrid and Barcelona keen to snap him up. It's unclear if he'll make the move to Europe soon, but his future looks bright.
Summary
The transfer market has been full of surprises this year. Kroos' exit from Real Madrid signaled the arrival of Bellingham at Borussia Dortmund, disrupting both teams' midfields. Paris Saint-Germain is also in flux, with Mbappe's departure and Neymar's arrival from Barcelona. Unsurprisingly, the Champions League semi-final between Bayern Munich and Real Madrid was determined by a second-tier club's loan player, Joselu, who clinched two late goals to dismantle Bayern. Then there's Endrick, a 16-year-old Brazilian striker purchased for €50 million by PSG from Palmeiras. He's already played for the national team, scoring 21 goals between 2022 and 2023. His illustrious future is being compared to Mbappe's early years. His debut international goal was scored in Wembley, where Real Madrid defeated Barcelona in the ninth Champions League final. Three days later, he netted his second international goal at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. This string of coincidences paints a positive picture for fans anticipating a promising future for Real Madrid.
