Real Madrid's summer 2026 transfer window is still not over as the club push for Rodri and potentially another top center back for Rodri, but a new look squad is beginning to take into shape for the Royal White quarter.
As the preseason ramps up and the regular season draws nearer, here is where the Real Madrid squad stacks up with the Champions League contenders.
5. Bayern Munich
Bayern Munich were on the door step of the Champions League Final and played PSG better than any other club in the competition, but this list is about the best squads based on the talent in the roster and overall depth - not about who did the best last season or the star power in the squad.
While Bayern may have the best front three in the world, which may be up for debate with Yan Diomande going to Real Madrid, the rest of their squad is a problem. Besides Joshua Kimmich, Bayern's midfield is a huge question mark, and they have serious depth problems in defense that they are overlooking. One bad injury could spell their doom in the Champions League.
4. Manchester City
Manchester City actually have a great roster on paper. Almost every starter they have is world class, and they have assembled a deep group of wingers to support Erling Haaland, who might be the best pure goal scorer in the world.
The problem is that Man City are weak in the midfield when that has usually been a pillar of this team. And since Rodri is on the verge of going to Real Madrid, all of sudden, the most important part of their squad is looking like a real liability.
3. Barcelona
Barcelona are underestimating their issues at center back, and they do not have a true striker, even if Ferran Torres just scored a big goal in the World Cup Final. Lamine Yamal is the only attacker coming off a truly great season, and so Barca may not have the fire power to match Real Madrid any more if Jose Mourinho can get Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe going.
Still, Barcelona have an insane level of depth and talent in midfield, and they do have depth in the attacking spots, even if Yamal is the only one who is hands down world class without any debate. Barca are among Europe's elite, as ever.
2. Real Madrid
No team improved their squad more than Real Madrid. Florentino Perez has given Jose Mourinho everything he asked for, signing three new starters for the defense with potentially another top center back on the way. And the midfield is going to be better once Rodri is secured with his old Manchester City treble teammate Bernardo Silva.
There is also the matter of Yan Diomande, who gives Real Madrid speed and attacking fire power opposite of Vinicius Junior. And on the depth subject, sometimes it is not just about the new signings but about the growth of the youngsters as well.
1. PSG
PSG are top of the food chain for a reason, and whlie they figure to get weaker if Bradley Barcola goes to Liverpool, the amount of high end attacking talent and young prospects they have coming up will ensure that they remain Champions League favorites after winning the competition twice in a row. They have a dominant midfield, a strong defense, and no major weaknesses with the most well rounded squad construction in European football. They will be tough for Real Madrid to beat.
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