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.
This story is from the December 25, 2024 edition of The Independent.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the December 25, 2024 edition of The Independent.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
DeChambeau is an unlikely winner in game's civil war
As golf's civil war rumbles on, with any optimism that came from the announcement in June 2023 that LIV Golf and the PGA Tour had a framework agreement in place for a merger having long since dissipated, it's hard to argue that the situation has created many winners.
Mbappe looks a spare part in the Real Madrid machine
Real Madrid are the kings of Europe, that much was true even before La Decimoquinta.
Sign on the dotted line: the £12m steal and £50m dud
The best and worst Premier League transfers this season
Why are there no trains running on Christmas Day?
Q Why don't any trains run on Christmas Day in the UK? Everywhere else on the European continent trains run on 25 December.
The flightmare before Christmas: why December disruption is so painful
Air traffic control language is commendably succinct. The advisory message that was sent out by the US Command Center at 11.50am GMT on Christmas Eve read: “Nationwide ground stop for all AAL Main and Subs”.
CLAUSE FOR CONCERN
A new study suggests lying about Santa is not only 'unethical' but also bad parenting. Charlotte Cripps finds out if telling a festive fib should really earn you a spot on the naughty list
Sanctioned Russian cargo ship sinks after explosion
A US-sanctioned Russian cargo ship sank in the Mediterranean Sea overnight after an explosion ripped through the engine room, Russia's foreign ministry confirmed.
Protests in Syria erupt after Christmas tree set on fire
Thousands of protesters have taken to the streets across Syria after foreign fighters burned down a Christmas tree in the centre of the country, sparking concerns about sectarian violence.
Canal threat is latest drama in Trump's Panama history
Donald Trump strained North American diplomatic relations over the weekend with a threat to retake the Panama Canal, two and a half decades after the US transferred control of the vital global trade route to Panama.
Hong Kong issues arrest warrant for teenage activist
A 19-year-old pro-democracy activist who went from finishing secondary school in the UK to becoming one of Hong Kong's most wanted critics has vowed that she will not be silenced by Chinese fear and suppression.
