There’s no club like Real Madrid. Champions of Spain, Europe, and the world, on so many occasions, this side has always attracted the biggest players, the most talented managers, and dominated sporting headlines.
It did it all again in the 2023/24 season, winning La Liga, as well as the Supercopa de Espana, and, most importantly, the Champions League for the 15th time, total. But can the club do it all over, yet again, heading into 2024/25? Let’s have a look.
Squad Depth and Summer Transfer Activity
First up, a look at the squad and notable new arrivals.
Key Arrivals and Their Potential Impact
Real Madrid made the biggest statement signing of the summer by bringing in one of, if not the best players on the planet right now and likely future Ballon d’Or winner: Kylian Mbappé.
It was a signing that had been talked about for years, with a long-running narrative and a lot of drama. But it’s finally happened. Mbappé has left Paris and has become the next Madrid “Galactico,” following in a long line of legendary players.
He is expected to contribute massively to the club. He’s a goalscoring machine, and has proven that he can deal with pressure and perform in big games, as he’s not only helped PSG to many titles, but also played a starring role in France’s 2018 World Cup win.
Aside from him, the club also welcomes Endrick, an exciting young Brazilian talent who some have tipped to be a future great, and Jesus Vallejo has returned from a loan.
Notable Departures and Squad Evolution
A few older statesmen in the Real Madrid lineup have decided to move on this year:
- Kepa Arrizabalaga, to Chelsea
- Nacho, to Al Qadsiah
- Toni Kroos, who has retired
- Joselu, to Al-Gharafa
Kroos is, without doubt, the biggest loss, as he’s been at Real for years and played a critical part in the club’s success. Alongside Luka Modric, he’s formed one of the strongest midfields of all time, not just at Real, but in the history of football, and the club will have to adapt. It’s up to younger midfielders, like Tchouameni and Camavinga, to step up now and fill that gap.
Youth Development and Academy Integration
It’s often hard for young players to break into the first team at Real Madrid, because the club is so heavily stacked with imported talents from across the leagues. But we do see some great youngsters make the breakthrough, and 2024/25 might also see one or two get some first-team shots.
Some names to watch out for include:
- Goalkeeper Fran Gonzalez
- Defender Raul Asencio
- Midfielder Manuel Angel
Tactical Setup Under Carlo Ancelotti
One of the things that football fans, strategy lovers, and gamers–like players of Mines gambling game–love to watch with Real is the tactics. It’s always interesting to see how managers make the most of the incredible talents at their disposal at this club, and Carlo Ancelotti, the current Madrid boss, has some big decisions ahead of him.
Preferred Formations and Flexibility
Italian boss Ancelotti has his favorite formations–namely the 4-3-3 and the 4-2-3-1–but has also proven himself to be a flexible manager, willing to mix things up as and when necessary to suit the situation, the opponent, and the squad at his disposal.
We can expect Real to lineup in an aggressive 4-3-3 for most of their games, with Vinícius Jr., Rodrygo, and Mbappé leading the line, especially in a lot of the domestic games where the club will be heavy favorites. But they may go slightly more defensive in big Champions League ties.
Midfield Structure and Control
As touched on, the team has lost Kroos, who helped guide Real to multiple Champions League titles. So the midfield will definitely change a little this year, with a balance of experience, i.e. Modric, and athleticism, i.e. Bellingham and Camavinga.
Ancelotti will have to find the right mix of players, particularly in the bigger games against major European rivals, to control the middle of the park and create sufficient chances going forward.
Defensive Strategy and Goalkeeper Leadership
After spending much of the 23/24 season on the sidelines, Belgian goalie Thibault Courtois will be back in action in the 24/25 season for Real. And that’s a big boost, as he’s such a strong keeper, great at distribution, shot stopping, and aerial presence.
With him back in the next, Real’s defenders will likely have more freedom to play a high line and push up the pitch to help midfielders and create chances, safe in the knowledge that Courtois has them covered.
Star Players and Leadership Core
Next, a look at some of the potential heroes of the 24/25 season for Real Madrid.
Jude Bellingham’s Rise as a Central Figure
Bellingham’s 23/24 season was extraordinary, to say the least. Many people felt he’d make an impact at Real, but few could have predicted just what a big impact that would be.
He scored so many dramatic, last-minute goals and made such a difference, driving the team to success almost on his own at times. With him, Real are more dynamic, more exciting, more athletic, and more capable of moving the ball quickly and with precision.
Vinícius Jr. and Rodrygo in Attack
Real’s attacking lineup features a couple of the best wingers Brazil has produced in years, with Vini and Rodrygo both excellent dribblers with tricky skills and bags of pace.
We can expect both of these young men to play big roles. Both will likely score 10+ goals, minimum, and put up a good number of assists, feeding each other as well as those around them, like Bellingham and Mbappé.
Role of Veterans like Modric
Kroos may be gone, but veteran midfielder Modric is still at Real, despite approaching 40 now, and his influence is still huge at this club.
He probably won’t play too many minutes compared to younger, fitter teammates, but he’s still likely to have a decisive role in the season. He can always be trusted in big games to keep the ball moving and impact games, and Ancelotti knows he can count on Luka when it matters.
Champions League Ambitions and European Threats
Next, a look forward to the aspirations and hopes of the club this season.
Real Madrid’s Legacy in European Competition
Madrid will enter the 24/25 season, yet again, as European champions. They’ve won the CL more times than any other club and are without doubt the dominant force when it comes to European clashes.
Every team will fear them, and they’ve got even stronger with the arrival of Mbappé. They enter the tournament as favorites and will want to go all the way.
Main Rivals for the UCL Tile in 2024/25
Real’s big rivals this season will likely include:
- Manchester City: Premier League champs Man City are always a force to be reckoned with in this competition with players like Haaland and KDB in the ranks.
- Bayern Munich: Munich have a new manager and one of the most in-form strikers in the world in Harry Kane. They’ll be a force in the CL, for sure.
- PSG: PSG might finally have figured things out. They’ve lost Mbappé but have still put together a really balanced squad and have an experienced, talented manager too.
How Madrid’s Squad Is Built for Europe
A lot of clubs in European competitions, like the CL, struggle with fatigue or lack of depth, because they have to use the same players and lineups in their European games as they do domestically.
But Real have always been built different. Their squad is deep, with talent of all ages and across all positions. And this gives them a valuable edge, as Ancelotti can rotate as needed, resting key players for the bigger games to come.
Domestic Competitions Outlook
Now, a look closer to home, at how Real might fare in La Liga and the Spanish cups.
La Liga Title Challenge and Key Fixtures
Real Madrid are also going into the new season as reigning La Liga champions, yet again. They’ve been dominant domestically in recent times and always feature in the top spots by the season’s end.
24/25 will likely be no different, but Real will have some competition from the other big clubs of Spain, namely Barcelona, Atlético Madrid, and up-and-comers Girona, though the latter may struggle to compete domestically and in Europe due to a shallow squad.
Matches against Barca and Atlético are, without doubt, must-wins for Real. The more points they can gain on their big rivals, the better, and they’ll also be expected to beat most of the lower-ranked sides, especially at home.
Copa del Rey and Supercopa Prospects
Real tend to do well in the Spanish cups and will want to lift as many trophies as possible this season, like always, because that’s just part of the club’s DNA. So Ancelotti and his team will be going for glory on all fronts.
However, if any big Copa/Supercopa games come around the same time as key La Liga or CL clashes, big players might be rested, and it will be up to some of the less-used squad members to drive the club to success.
Managing Fatigue with a Packed Calendar
When you’re competing for top spot in the league, Europe, and the cups, you naturally have to deal with fatigue, due to the sheer quantity of matches to play.
That’s something, too, that Real are going to manage. But they have plenty of experience in this from past seasons. Ancelotti knows how to rotate and rest key members of the squad, and Real has some of the best medical staff and coaches to keep everyone as fit as possible.
Financial Strength and Global Branding
Lastly, a look towards the finances and “brand” of Real.
Commercial Growth and Transfer Power
Real is the richest club in the world, regularly topping the “Deloitte Money League,” thanks to its glory, status, and influence in the game. It has huge transfer power, as demonstrated with the signing of Mbappé, and his arrival will massively help the club from a commercial perspective, since he’s so loved in France and elsewhere around the globe.
That means more people will buy shirts bearing Mbappé’s name, for example, and many will be eager to see him play in Real Madrid colors, so will flock to the stadium in huge numbers. Even non-fans of the club will want to visit and see this historic team in action with their own eyes.
Stadium Renovation and Its Long-Term Value
Real Madrid’s ground, the iconic Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, has undergone some big changes, becoming more modern, sophisticated, and impressive than ever. The capacity is being boosted to 85,000 seats, and the stadium is receiving a retractable roof for indoor and outdoor events, no matter the weather.
Other add-ons include a more futuristic facade, 360-degree LED scoreboard, VIP hospitality areas, and upgrades to the club museum. And all of this, too, helps the club in the long-term, as it’ll get more people through the doors, more tickets sold, and more tourism activity in the area to support local businesses, too.
Real Madrid’s Position in Modern Football Economics
If we look at how Real compares financially with some of the other richest teams, it’s clearly a competitive force. It can more than match the likes of Manchester City, Liverpool, PSG, Bayern Munich, and others in terms of its global status, thanks to its gigantic fan following, huge matchday revenue numbers, global brand sponsors, and colossal transfer appeal to top players.
And that’s unlikely to ever change. Real is the No. 1 club in football in many areas and metrics, and it has a status that no other club can match. Even the team’s biggest rivals, like Barcelona, don’t have that same influence and power that Real does, and the team will continue to be a strong financial force for years to come, attracting the best players, managers, and young talents.