You know what happens when you grow up watching a club that turned the extraordinary into routine? You don't lower the bar. You don't adjust expectations. You expect to compete for everything, every season. That’s what supporting Real Madrid does to you. It spoils you. It rewires your expectations.
And that's exactly why this this moment feels so uncomfortable
This is not about accepting less. It is about recognizing reality. This is not a team ready to dominate Europe immediately. The badge still commands global respect. The history still sets the highest demands domestically and in Europe. But the leadership that once defined entire eras is not as visible as it used to be. Some of the most talented players in this squad are still growing into themselves. Talent is present. Authority, especially in decisive moments, is still developing.
If Madrid want to become a true European force again, the rebuild must start from the spine. Goalkeeper, centre-backs, central midfielders and centre forward. Those are the positions that see the whole pitch. Those are the players who organize, shout, demand, calm things down or speed them up. When that core is strong, the entire team functions more coherently, and the ideas are clear.
We’ve seen this before. Even after losing Cristiano Ronaldo in 2018, one of the greatest players in football history, Madrid did not collapse. Why? Because the spine was intact. Sergio Ramos set the standard before his departure. Thibaut Courtois owned his box. In defense, David Alaba, Antonio Rüdiger and Nacho Fernández competed with personality. In midfield, Toni Kroos and Luka Modrić controlled games with their experience and calm. Up front, in 2022, Karim Benzema produced a historic campaign. And two more UEFA Champions League titles followed, in 2022 and 2024. Not because the squad was perfect or even overpowering. Because the team had a spine of leaders and competitive maniacs that believed.
That is the difference
Right now, however, before dreaming about the next superstar, Madrid must make uncomfortable decisions. If the club is serious about rebuilding properly, then the first step is not recruitment but reduction. Alaba has already announced he will leave at the end of the season. Rüdiger, despite his commitment, has looked physically stretched for about two years. Dani Ceballos and Fran García have not shown to be the level required to be key rotation. Then there is Vinícius Júnior, whose situation demands an honest conversation. As explosive and decisive as he can be, an attacking line with both Kylian Mbappé and him creates too much of an imbalance in the play. In addition, with his contract running until 2027, Madrid must consider timing. Cashing in at the right moment could generate a massive fee and prevent the club from entering another uncertain renewal saga. It makes sense financially and in the long-term planning for squad balance. Before adding new stars, Madrid must first decide which core truly fits the future they are trying to build.
At the same time, the club must resist the temptation of the next wonderkid who explodes in five to ten matches in a domestic league and suddenly becomes a Youtube sensation. Madrid should not scout only skill; it must scout mentality. This shirt demands players who believe the game is never over until the referee blows the final whistle. That mindset carried them past overpowering sides like Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City before beating Liverpool in a Champions League final in 2022. A run that was built on leadership, collective belief and hunger. Players like Nacho, Luka Modrić, Toni Kroos and Dani Carvajal embodied that hunger. That is the Madrid fans recognize and connect with. That is the Madrid they crave.
And then there is patience, the word no Real Madrid fan likes to hear
However, impatience is how giants lose their way. Just look at Manchester United, a club that chased sudden youtube sensations, played hot potato with their managers, stacked incompatible signings and slowly drifted from its identity. Madrid must avoid that trap at all costs. An empty season is not a disaster if it builds a clear structure.
Rome was not built in a day. Neither will the next great Real Madrid era.