Real Madrid Back in the ‘Galacticos’ Business With Signing of Kylian Mbappe

At Real Madrid, a new “galactico” age might be dawning.

Kylian Mbappe is the latest addition to the impressive roster of elite players that have played a significant role in the history of the Spanish superpower, after years without any high-profile additions from Madrid.

The legendary player from France is joining a team that already features young talents like Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Junior, setting Madrid up for future glory.

Madrid won its record-tying 15th Champions League trophy on Saturday, its sixth in a decade. After several unsuccessful attempts to entice Mbappe, it finally revealed two days later that it was signing the playmaker.

“Now that it’s official, I will play for Real Madrid for the ensuing five years.” On the eve of France’s home friendly against Luxembourg, Mbappe expressed his sentiments in Metz on Tuesday. “It’s an immense pleasure, a dream coming true, a lot of emotions,” he said. “I’m thrilled to be joining a club where I’ve always wanted to be, as well as relieved and proud.”

After acquiring Eden Hazard from Chelsea in 2019, Madrid hadn’t engaged in a major transaction, but the Belgian playmaker never lived up to the hype. Prior to it, Madrid had only signed Colombian playmaker James Rodríguez and Toni Kroos, who retired at the end of this season, during the 2014–15 transfer window. 2012 saw the signing of Luka Modric by Real Madrid, and Gareth Bale in 2013.

In 2018, Karim Benzema succeeded Cristiano Ronaldo as the team’s star player. However, he left the team last year to take a lucrative contract in Saudi Arabia. Joselu, an unassuming striker whose goals were crucial in helping Madrid advance to the Champions League final this year, took his position.

When Mbappe visited Madrid as a 14-year-old, he posed for a picture with Ronaldo and claimed to have gotten welcoming messages from both current and former Madrid players, including Ronaldo. 

Club president Florentino Perez generally kept with players already in the squad and bet on unproven teenagers like Vinícius and Rodrygo when Ronaldo left and the team took a chance on Hazard. They joined the team at a young age and were gradually integrated into the starting lineup. For the upcoming season, Endrick, the newest star from Brazil, is coming from Palmeiras and is anticipated to follow the same route.

With the additions of David Beckham, Luis Figo, Zinedine Zidane, and the legendary Ronaldo of Brazil in the early 2000s, Perez put together Madrid’s “galacticos,” who collectively helped the team win two Spanish league crowns and one Champions League.

Madrid saved money by not going overboard in the most recent transfer windows and by buying Mbappe only after he was set free. This put them in a position to potentially recruit even more elite players in the future.

After Real Madrid defeated Borussia Dortmund 2-0 at Wembley Stadium on Saturday, Carlo Ancelotti, the team’s coach, remarked, “This club is never satisfied.” 

Ancelotti will have an even more potent attack with the gifted Mbappe.

When it comes to that clinical (number) nine, Bellingham, 20, who had a major influence in his debut season with Madrid, stated, “It’s the only little thing we’re missing.”

But Ancelotti will need to rearrange his team to make room for Mbappe. On the left side of the attack, where Vinícius, 23, has been playing frequently, the 25-year-old Frenchman shines. The 23-year-old Rodrygo, who frequently occupies the other flank, recently discussed the potential of quitting Real Madrid if he felt unproductive for the team.

The two Brazilians might be positioned in a 4-3-3 formation on either side of Mbappe if Ancelotti wishes to continue depending on Rodrygo. The coach would therefore have to give up a midfield player or move Federico Valverde up to the right side of the attack in a more forward role.

One thing is certain for Mbappe regardless of where or when he plays: a significant spot on the roster of Real Madrid’s renowned “galacticos.”