Their 15th Champions League crown in May and sixth title in 11 years might not have seemed distinguishable to others inspired by Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema previously.
Yet their dominance and supremacy, despite rivals possessing comparable resources and advantages over domestic rivals, appeared destined to approach a third decade. Particularly when they signed, for all the agent fees and signing bonuses, Kylian Mbappe for "free".
One of the defining players of a generation, in theory yet to reach his prime, added to the greatest team in Europe. His blockbuster signing, which reportedly included a staggering €150m (£127m) signing-on fee, initially projected a gloomy outlook for fans hoping for an unpredictable scrap for the greatest prize in European football in the coming years.
Real Madrid are a machine, and not just on the pitch, having built a new coliseum in what is perhaps the greatest sporting arena in the world, and capable of maximising the club's revenue. Indeed, Florentino Perez always has a contingency plan to extend their dominance, no matter the inevitable end to these legendary players previously mentioned.
Take Toni Kroos, too, who bowed out with grace in May; the German maestro floated across the Wembley turf one last time in club football to ensure Borussia Dortmund left with regret.
Yet tears of joy flowed, not sadness or anxiety about the prospect of replacing perhaps the greatest midfielder of a generation.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der December 25, 2024-Ausgabe von The Independent.
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Diese Geschichte stammt aus der December 25, 2024-Ausgabe von The Independent.
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