Which team can halt the soccer behemoth Real Madrid?
In Paris, Kylian Mbappé continually falters in the Champions League before eventually triumphing. Now, he has joined the team that has ruled the top echelon more than any other. And Mbappe is not the only indication that Real Madrid could reign over European football for years.
It's impossible not to imagine Franz Beckenbauer on this Monday. He was extremely excited after the 1990 World Cup final in Rome, following the German national team's victory, and spoke about how this team "would be unbeatable for years to come." The prospect of uniting the best from two nations, the Federal Republic and the German Democratic Republic, brought great joy and hope to the "Kaiser." Yet, he didn't manage to keep it. Now, a team is on the brink of becoming truly unbeatable: Real Madrid.
Scarcely has the thrill from winning the Champions League at Wembley worn off when there's another reason to celebrate: Kylian Mbappé's mega-deal with Real Madrid is complete. After a long pursuit, the Royals and the Frenchman are now tying the knot. This promises to be exciting and electrifying, at least on the pitch. Since Mbappé's time at Paris Saint-Germain, he is no longer just an average player. He provoked his club and pushed his salary to new heights. In seven years together, they nearly claimed the big catch, but missed out in the final against FC Bayern (0:1) in 2020.
Now, things might change. Mbappé is switching to the Champions League dominator. Since 2014, Real Madrid has hoisted the silver trophy a staggering six times. Saturday night's display against Borussia Dortmund highlighted their dominance. For 45 minutes, the Black and Yellows threatened their terrifying opponent. Until the 60th minute, they were clearly the better team. However, in the 74th minute, Madrid's beast-like nature became apparent. Toni Kroos launched a corner, Dani Carvajal headed it in, resulting in a 1:0 lead. The outcome was sealed. Soon after, a 2:0 fell, quashing any lingering doubts.
Real Madrid: A monster with an insatiable appetite
Now, a new era in Madrid comes to a close. Kroos has played his last match as a club player. Before him, other legends left behind their immense footprints. But Real Madrid never stopped, continued to push on. Beyond Sergio Ramos' legacy, beyond that of Cristiano Ronaldo. And Benzema. Yet, unlike many other European clubs, Real Madrid managed to fill the void, to curb the changes. In central defense, Rudiger and Nacho provide steadiness. Or Alaba, if he's fit enough. Up front, Vinicius Junior has softened opponents' knees and melted the hearts of their own fans.
In midfield, last year, Jude Bellingham arrived. The young Englishman had emerged as a prodigy at Borussia Dortmund and quickly turned into a world-class player. And he's set to lead this new white orchestra for years. Due to Mbappé's transfer, Bellingham moved back and no longer played as a penetrating striker. But who needs a striker in this formidable offense, in this towering team? Mbappe, Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo – always verging on underperforming despite his exceptional talents – then Bellingham. If this band of mega-talent aligns, a beast emerges that's tough to tame.
The loss of Kroos doesn't appear to be an insurmountable obstacle, as the prospects are so bright. The German in Madrid is a legend, and legends mean something in this club. But they prepared for his departure. They've been planning for years. With Fede Valverde, who's only 25, Aurélien Tchouaméni, who's only 24, and Eduardo Camavinga, who's only 21, Madrid's successors have been honing their skills in the background. For Kroos, for Luka Modric, who still wants to play for at least one more year, and for the third great midfielder of the past decade, Casemiro, who is now at Manchester United.
Which team will take down this dominant squad? It's an intriguing query with no definitive response right now. Paris Saint-Germain won't be among the main contenders threatening to snatch the title from them. Financed by Qatari funds, the team is undergoing a rebuilding phase and is eager to bid farewell to the Mbappe era amicably. PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi declared, "He arrived at around 18 years old and is now a mature adult and the best player in the world." However, this wasn't an entirely peaceful transition. As per a report in "L'Équipe," the forward requested payment for his April earnings and February bonuses. Doesn't sound like a departure fueled by love. Hala Madrid!
Conversely, it's almost guaranteed that Real Madrid will eventually succumb if that's the fate. It's the superstars who make the difference occasionally, such as Vinicius Junior, whose performance in the 2022 King's Cup finals against Liverpool was pivotal. However, in the current year's Champions League semi-final, a striker from a second-division club who was lent to the Royals changed the course of the game.
Joselu had saved Espanyol Barcelona from relegation the previous season but managed to escape relegation himself while crushing Bayern Munich's aspirations for a German-German final in Wembley with two late goals (due to a monumental blunder by Manuel Neuer). A striker who had never left a lasting impression in Hoffenheim, Frankfurt, or Hannover was suddenly making a substantial impact on Real Madrid's unbeaten streak.
Exploring the Prospective Sensation: Endrick
Meanwhile, the big question on everyone's minds is: Who's the next big thing in world football? And the response is: Endrick. The 16-year-old Brazilian has already scored two goals for the national team, making him a sensation. These goals were scored at the last minute and secured victories for Brazil.
Endrick represents Palmeiras, one of Brazil's most successful clubs, and has already garnered the attention of several top European clubs. Though his future still remains uncertain, it's a given that he will be a star in the near future.
These goals serve as evidence of his talent and his capacity to perform under immense pressure. He has a promising future ahead and will undoubtedly become a vital player for Brazil in the coming years.
On Kylian Mbappe's side, the 33-year-old won't be able to continue disappointing elite European clubs round after round in the forthcoming season. Joselu must return to Espanyol, fighting for a comeback in the promotion playoffs. Meanwhile, Real Madrid eagerly awaits a 17-year-old whom many anticipate will assume a significant role at a top club like Mbappe did at a young age: Endrick. The Brazilian is slated to join Real Madrid for nearly 50 million euros from Palmeiras in Sao Paulo, has already represented the national team, and scored 21 goals in his club's championships (2022 and 2023).
And for the icing on the cake, Beckenbauer's miscalculation about the previous German national team has been transformed into a prophecy about Real Madrid's future. The following details offer a tantalizing glimpse into football's future. After all, Endrick scored his first international goal at Wembley Stadium, where Real Madrid's unbeaten run in the Champions League finals continued: nine times in a row. And his second international goal was achieved just three days after that. Against Spain. At the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. What more evidence do we need to confirm that a bright future awaits the Royals?
