Real Madrid Dominance and Evolution

Early 2000s: The Galacticos

• Florentino Perez's vision: Establish Real Madrid as the top team in Europe.
• Key signings:
  • Zinedine Zidane from Juventus (world record fee: €77.5M)
  • Ronaldo Nazario from Inter Milan (€40M)
  • David Beckham from Manchester United (€37.5M)
  • Luis Figo from Barcelona (controversial)
• Achievements:
  • Champions League win in 2002
  • Several La Liga titles
• Decline:
  • Early exits from Champions League (Round of 16 for 5 years)
  • Management instability

2010: Galacticos 2.0

• Summer signings:
  • Cristiano Ronaldo from Manchester United (€80M)
  • Kaka from AC Milan (2007 Ballon d'Or winner)
  • Karim Benzema from Lyon
  • Gonzalo Higuain
• Jose Mourinho's era:
  • Hired to maximize team's potential
  • Faced early challenges (5-0 loss to Barcelona, UCL exit)
  • Copa del Rey win: First trophy under Mourinho
• 2011-2012 Season: Records and achievements
  • 100 points in La Liga (record)
  • 121 goals in La Liga (record)
  • Heartbreaking UCL semi-final loss to Bayern Munich (penalty shootout)

Carlo Ancelotti and La Decima

• Hired in 2013: Replaced Mourinho
• Achievements:
  • La Decima: First UCL title since 2002 (Ronaldo: 17 goals)
  • Record signing Gareth Bale contributes
• Challenges:
  • Lost La Liga to Atletico Madrid
  • Barcelona's dominance (second treble in 6 years)

Zidane's Era: Peak Real Madrid (2015-2018)

• Key Signings/Changes:
  • Zinedine Zidane appointed head coach
  • Core players: Benzema, Bale, Ronaldo (BBC), Modric, Kroos, Casemiro, Ramos, Varane, Marcelo, Carvajal
• Achievements:
  • 2016: UCL win against Atletico Madrid (penalty shootout, Ronaldo scores decisive penalty)
  • 2016-2017: Dominance in La Liga and UCL (back-to-back titles)
    • 100% scoring record in La Liga
    • UCL wins against top teams (Atletico, Bayern, Juventus)
  • 2017-2018: Third consecutive UCL title
    • Ronaldo: UCL top scorer three seasons in a row
    • Squad depth: Key contributions from Asensio, Vazquez, etc.

Post-Zidane Transition

• Key Events:
  • Ronaldo leaves for Juventus (record transfer sale)
  • Zidane steps down as coach
• Challenges:
  • Trophy-less seasons following departures

Future: Galacticos 3.0

• Current Strength:
  • Young talents: Vinicius Jr., Rodrigo, Camavinga, Jude Bellingham, Valverde, Brahim Diaz
  • Recent signing: Kylian Mbappe
• Outlook:
  • Aim to dominate the next decade
  • High expectations from Mbappe and the young core to build a new era of success