With Kylian Mbappé's arrival, Real Madrid's roster has reached an unprecedented level of star power. However, the newly launched Galácticos 3.0 has had a rocky start. Despite a 3-0 win in the second round of La Liga, the team's headliner, Mbappé, has struggled to integrate into Carlo Ancelotti's tactical system. Fans have humorously suggested that the coach should check Xiaohongshu for a guide on how to use Mbappé.
Regardless, the new generation of Galácticos has set sail with the expectations of Madridistas worldwide. Today, let's take a look back at the three eras of the Galácticos and see if version 3.0 can surpass its predecessors.
Galácticos 1.0: A Gilded Bentley Without an Engine
In 2000, Florentino Pérez won the Real Madrid presidency by promising to bring Luis Figo from Barcelona. This marked the beginning of the first era of the Galácticos, with Pérez's ambitious "one star per year" policy.
With Figo's brilliant performances, the Galácticos won La Liga in their first season. The following year, Pérez broke the transfer record again by signing Zinedine Zidane from Juventus for €77.5 million. Zidane's stunning volley in the 2002 UEFA Champions League final secured Real Madrid's ninth European title.
However, the team faced setbacks, including failing to defend their La Liga title and losing the Copa del Rey final on the club's centenary. These disappointments foreshadowed the eventual departure of coach Vicente del Bosque and club captain Fernando Hierro.
In 2002, Ronaldo Nazário joined the squad, but his arrival disrupted the team's balance. Despite winning La Liga, tensions in the dressing room led to a public fallout between Hierro and Pérez. The 2003 summer transfer window saw the controversial sale of Claude Makélélé and the signing of David Beckham, which left the team unbalanced.
The once formidable Galácticos became a top-heavy team, struggling to maintain consistency. Despite changing managers five times, Real Madrid went through a trophy drought and was eliminated in the Champions League Round of 16 for six consecutive years. Pérez resigned in 2005, signaling the end of Galácticos 1.0.
Galácticos 2.0: Star Power Meets Pragmatism
In 2009, Pérez returned as president and once again made headlines with the signings of Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaká, and Karim Benzema. Learning from past mistakes, Pérez focused on balancing the squad by adding key players like Xabi Alonso.
Under José Mourinho's guidance, the second generation of Galácticos began to flourish. Real Madrid challenged Barcelona's dominance and won the 2011/12 La Liga title with a record 100 points. In the Champions League, they consistently reached the semi-finals, shedding the "Round of 16 curse."
With Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, and Casemiro forming the iconic midfield trio, and Gareth Bale joining the attack, the fully realized Galácticos 2.0 became a force to be reckoned with. This era was characterized by a more balanced approach, with the team excelling in counter-attacking football.
Under the leadership of Carlo Ancelotti and later Zidane, this Galácticos era achieved unprecedented success, including a historic Champions League three-peat from 2016 to 2018.
By 2023, with the departures of Benzema and other key players, Galácticos 2.0 had fulfilled its destiny, paving the way for a new era.
Galácticos 3.0: Youthful Energy, Unlimited Potential
As the second generation aged, Pérez began assembling Galácticos 3.0. While the signings of Eden Hazard and Luka Jović didn't pan out, the emergence of young stars like Vinícius Júnior, Rodrygo, and Eduardo Camavinga kept the team competitive. The arrival of Jude Bellingham further bolstered the squad.
Despite ongoing transitions, Real Madrid continued to win titles, including two Champions Leagues, three La Liga titles, and a Copa del Rey during this period. With Mbappé's arrival, the final piece of the puzzle seems to be in place.
Now, the question remains: Can Galácticos 3.0 surpass its predecessors? Only time will tell, but the potential for greatness is undoubtedly there.
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