Real Madrid has once again proved to the world why they remain one of the most successful and legendary football clubs in existence. The 2023/24 season has been nothing short of a dream for the Los Blancos. They bossed LaLiga, eventually finishing the season a full ten points clear of their eternal rivals Barcelona, before sealing their 15th Champions League crown, once again reigning supreme as kings of Europe. With the dust having settled on such a historic campaign, Los Blancos have not wasted any time this summer in terms of transfers, pulling off some major coups to make them better equipped for the demands that lie ahead.
The Headline Signing: Kylian Mbappé
Real Madrid's hunt for Kylian Mbappé has been a saga that has gripped the football world for several years. The French superstar, long a target for the Spanish giants, finally made the move to the Santiago Bernabéu this summer-2024. If there was any doubt, the signing of Mbappé lets everyone know that Real Madrid mean business, staying atop European competition.
The credentials of Mbappé require little introduction as one of the finest talents in the game. Still only 25, he has won a handful of Ligue 1 titles with Paris Saint-Germain and a World Cup with France, besides being one of the best goal-scorers in Europe. His speed, dribbling, and finishing make him a nightmare for defenders, while the rest can be the reason for Real's tactical flexibility given that he can play across the front line.
Then, there will be some serious attacking play in Real Madrid when Mbappé finally arrives. Given his speed, an obvious option is to stretch the defenses, and with clinical finishing, he can give a new dimension to Real Madrid's offense. This signing also cements Real Madrid's global brand since Mbappé is not only a football superstar but a marketing icon with a huge following across the world.
To read about how Mbappé's route to Madrid played out, see this in-depth look at the transfer on The Guardian.
Star in the Making: Endrick
While the headlines have been dominated by the arrival of Mbappé, the signing of Endrick is also not going unnoticed. The Brazilian wunderkind has been mooted as one of the most brilliant young talents in world football after his performances at Palmeiras set South America alight. Real Madrid beat several top clubs in Europe to his signature after acting fast to secure his services.
Approaching his 18th birthday, Endrick has drawn comparisons with some of Brazil's all-time great forwards, including Ronaldo and Neymar. Agility, technical skill, and instinct for goal-the lot-come wrapped in this one precocious package, with many expecting him to follow in the footsteps of other Brazilian stars who have thrived at Real Madrid, including Vinícius Júnior and Rodrygo.
It may take some time, but once Endrick has settled into European football, little is in his way to become an important part of Real Madrid in the years to come. His growth will be followed with much interest by any fan and spectator, as he is the future of offensive power for the team.
To know more about the rise of Endrick and what all he can bring to Real Madrid, check his profile on Goal.com here: https://www.goal.com/en/news/who-is-endrick-real-madrid-teenage-sensation-potential/blt123456789.
The Departures-Dialling the Curtains for Legends
As has often been the case in football, the arrival of new stars coincides with the departure of old ones. Real Madrid's summer transfer window in 2024 has also seen two major exits which mean the end of an era for the club.
**Toni Kroos: A Midfield Maestro Bids Farewell
Toni Kroos has been an ever-important cog in the midfield of the Spanish giants since his arrival at Real Madrid from Bayern Munich back in 2014. For the last decade, Kroos has been the heartbeat of the team, orchestrating play with precision in his passing, vision, and composure under pressure. His ability to control the tempo of the game made him indispensable, especially in Real Madrid's historic run of three consecutive Champions League titles from 2016 to 2018.
But all good things have to come to an end, and Kroos called time on his professional football career following Germany's exit from Euro 2024. His exit leaves a gaping hole in Real Madrid's midfield-one that is going to be pretty hard to fill. Kroos was much more than his technical influence; he was the on-field and off-field leader, an icebox in the dressing room, and a role model to the youngsters.
One doesn't get to replace players of Kroos's caliber that easily. The club will need to look in their roster and future signings for one who can fit into his shoes. Until then, the fans will be left with fond memories of Kroos from one of the most successful periods in club history.
You can read an ESPN [article on Kroos' career retrospective and his impact at Real Madrid here ].
**Nacho Fernández: A Loyal Servant Moves On
Another major suture would be Nacho Fernández, who throughout these years here in Real Madrid has been a real synonym for loyalty and versatility. Homegrown in the club's youth ranks, Nacho went on to spend his entire professional career at the Santiago Bernabéu, winning six Champions League titles among many others.
With Nacho, this versatility earned him a lot with successive Real Madrid managers. Be it a centre-back, right-back, or left-back Nacho always was giving it his all with great spirit from the club. His leadership qualities were recognized when he was appointed club captain-a role that he fulfilled with distinction.
The tough decision to move on finally came in the summer of 2024 as he opted for a new challenge in the Saudi Pro League. His exit now leaves Real Madrid at an edge where they need a new leader, importantly a needed one at the back. Yet, even though he will no longer be pulling on a white shirt, Nacho's legacy is secure at the club, and he will always be remembered as a true Madridista.
To hear more about Nacho's journey and his reason for leaving Real Madrid, listen to this BBC Sport report.
The Road Ahead: Tests and Opportunities
Real Madrid go into the 2024/25 season at a crossroads. The arrival of Mbappé and Endrick adds firepower to the attack; the departures of Kroos and Nacho present challenges.
While for Carlo Ancelotti, who masterminded last season's success, much balancing is to be done in the squad if the major grip is to be maintained across LaLiga and Champions League campaigns, Real Madrid's ambitions will be seen in how well new signings have been integrated, talented young guys emerge, and their established stars continue to put on stellar performances.
With Kroos in midfield, his absence will arguably see more responsibility being placed on the shoulders of players like Federico Valverde, Eduardo Camavinga, and Aurélien Tchouaméni. All promising young midfielders, they'll have to grow up fast and fill the vacuum left by the German maestro.
Nacho's departure, for one, will cut into Real Madrid's backline depth, and they might have to return to the transfer market to flesh out that particular position. A number of defenders have been linked to the club, and it will be interesting to see how this area of the squad is handled.
The expectations, as is often the case, remain high at Real Madrid. The fans will accept nothing less than continued success, and management will be put under pressure to deliver. With a mix of experienced stars and exciting new signings, Real Madrid has all it takes to have another memorable season. However, the challenges of integrating new players and coping with the loss of key figures cannot be underestimated.
As the 2024/25 season gets underway, attention will be firmly set on the Bernabéu as to how Real Madrid negotiate their way through this new chapter in their illustrious history. Will the new signings push them to even greater heights, or will the loss of legends like Kroos and Nacho be one hurdle too great to overcome? Only time will tell.
To get the latest news on Real Madrid Transfer News and catch the action of their coming season, head to Real Madrid's official website at https://www.realmadrid.com/en or Sky Sports at https://www.skysports.com/football/teams/real-madrid.
