Real Madrid: 5 things we learned from the 2020-21 season

2. The post-Sergio Ramos era isn’t so bleak after all:

Sergio Ramos has been a mainstay at Real Madrid for a considerable period of time. The icon has etched his name deep into the club’s history, replacing him has long been thought to be an impossible task. However, in the absence of the captain this season, a forgotten figure stood out.

Éder Militäo had seemingly been written off by many in Madrid. Often left on the sidelines and rarely granted much of an opportunity, it seemed as though the hype he initially garnered was a flash in the pan. But when the moment arrived, Militäo did not just seize it – he made it his own.

Ever since emerging into the first team as something of a mainstay, he outdid every other centre back at the club in his tackles and interceptions per 90 in the league, he flagged behind only Sergio Ramos for pass accuracy and long-balls. Statistics aside, even on the eye, the Brazilian passed all the tests with flying colours – he was composed on the ball and able to make last-ditch tackles.

With Ramos’ future uncertain and his age advancing, the 23-year-old former Porto man has shown that the successor to the captain is at the club, his name is Éder Militäo.