Real Madrid: After 5 Champions League titles in 9 years – Is a rebuild finally coming?

After UCL exit 

Real Madrid have been eliminated by Man City (4-0 and 5-1 on aggregate), and after winning the UEFA Champions League five times in the last nine years, a core group might finally be on its last leg. Whether it is star striker Karim Benzema or midfielders Toni Kroos and Luka Modrić, the change might not be imminent, but there is now a sense that a rebuild might be soon underway in the Spanish capital. 

Perhaps the strongest indication of such a rebuild has been Real’s pursuit of Borussia Dortmund star Jude Bellingham. Although a deal is far from done, Real Madrid are very much in the pole position when it comes to signing the 19-year-old English star. Bellingham without a doubt, would be the new centerpiece of what is an aging midfield and could fulfill the roles of both Kroos and Modric in the coming years. The pursuit of Bellingham, therefore, remains a key objective for Real Madrid. But it isn’t the only position the club needs to strengthen. 

Benzema once again had an excellent season scoring 29 goals and six assists in 39 games—the 35-year-old Frenchman has scored every 114 minutes this season. Benzema’s performances last season and this season have led to rare market value upgrades for an over 30 player. With a market value of €35m, Benzema is the third most valuable over 34-year-old player on the planet. But Real will also be aware that Benzema won’t be able to roll back the time forever and the striker has missed 15 games and the World Cup with injuries this season. 

Endrick, Mbappé, Davies & Co.: Who will be part of the Real Madrid rebuild?

Real Madrid have already signed Brazilian talent Endrick in a deal that, in its entirety, could grow to €72m. But Endrick will not arrive until the summer of 2024, and his four goals in 21 games across all competitions for Palmeiras this season highlight that the 16-year-old Brazilian still has some ways to go until he can replace a world-class striker of Benzema’s qualities. 

Not surprisingly, Real have once again been linked with a move for PSG forward Kylian Mbappé. The pursuit of Mbappé might indeed remain an eternal transfer saga, but the 24-year-old might be the biggest player in terms of talent since Pelé. In other words, as long as Mbappé doesn’t play for Real Madrid, he will be pursued by the club from the Spanish capital. And indeed, signing Mbappé could lay the foundation to yet another dynasty. 

Mbappé, however, has not been the only player linked with a move to Real. Frequent reports have also linked Real Madrid with Bayern Munich’s Alphonso Davies. Davies is currently in contract talks with Bayern Munich, and a decision is expected this summer. In David Alaba, Real Madrid have one of Davies’ closest confidants under contract already, and while this is an outside chance, the Spaniards will keep pushing for that transfer. 

Real Madrid: What is next for Carlo Ancelotti?

Another question that has to be answered is whether Carlo Ancelotti will return next season. Although Real failed to win LaLiga this season, the 63-year-old Italian won the Spanish Cup with Real this season, winning every title available during his second spell with the club.

With all objectives once again fulfilled, will Ancelotti now move on? “My future is very clear because my contract expires in 2024, not tomorrow,” Ancelotti said before the semifinal against Man City. “I feel extraordinary affection from the whole club, the president, and Jose Angel Sanchez, and for me, that’s enough.”

Those kinds of statements, of course, mean nothing at a club like Real Madrid, and with a soft rebuild coming, Real might look at a younger coach to take over from Ancelotti. One coach linked to the club is former Bayern Munich boss Julian Nagelsmann. Real were also interested in Thomas Tuchel before he took the Bayern job. Seeing both those coaches linked to Real indicates that the club is looking for a young and dynamic coach to oversee the transition to what will likely be another dynasty at the top of European football. 

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