Los Blancos have now won six of the last 11 European titles available, and as their rivals head towards transition, they are only getting stronger.
After Real Madrid hoisted their 15th European Cup on Saturday at Wembley, the club’s veterans had one key piece of advice for 20-year-old first-timer Jude Bellingham. “Some of my team-mates have five or six titles, and they said enjoy your first as it’s a feeling like no other when you reach the top of the mountain,” Bellingham said following Los Blancos’ 2-0 victory over Borussia Dortmund.
It was undoubtedly a memorable final. As is often the case in the Champions League, Madrid was second best for long stretches. But they rode their luck, and after a handful of crucial saves from Thibaut Courtois and the fortune of Niclas Fullkrug hitting the post, they came alive. It took a corner, converted by the 5’7 Dani Carvajal, to help them find their stride, and Madrid saw out the last 20 minutes as Vinicius Jr provided the finishing touch.
Yet, despite the Dortmund pressure and the lack of quality from an often erratic Madrid side, the outcome was all too predictable. Real Madrid wins; it’s just what they do.
They have now claimed six Champions League titles across the last 11 years. To put that in perspective, only three other clubs (AC Milan, Bayern Munich, and Liverpool) can claim to have won as many European Cups in their history. This is what sporting dominance looks like.
The concern for their rivals is that there are few signs that Los Blancos’ run will stop anytime soon. What was supposed to be a rebuilding period has become a measured renewal. Madrid’s best players are all.
In their prime—or slightly short of it—and with arguably the most electric forward in world football soon to enter the ranks while other clubs enter their transitions, Saturday’s win may be the start of another decade of continental superiority at Santiago Bernabeu.
Magic Moments
Madrid and European success have always been intrinsically connected. Even as they have battled Barcelona for La Liga supremacy, Los Blancos have always made deep runs in Europe’s premier club competition. And these signature dramatic wins aren’t a new concept, either.
It’s easy to recall Joselu’s match-winning double against Bayern Munich at the Bernabeu just a month ago, but that unlikely brace was one of a glut of dramatic moments.
Madrid’s first title of the 21st century came back in 2001 when Zinedine Zidane powered a volley into the top corner to beat Bayer Leverkusen in the final at Hampden Park. However, it was only in the generation spearheaded by Cristiano Ronaldo, which won four titles in five years, that Los Blancos began to produce moments of magic in the competition regularly.
In 2014, Sergio Ramos’ last-minute header in the final against Atletico Madrid sent the game to extra time. Madrid dominated to a 4-1 win to secure their 10th European title and end their long wait to secure ‘La Decima.’
Two years later, they completed a similar feat, overturning a 2-0 deficit against Wolfsburg in the quarter-finals before beating Atleti on penalties in the final. The year after, an extra-time victory over Bayern sent them on their way to the final. In 2018, a famous Ronaldo bicycle kick against Juventus got the job done. And in 2022, a series of comebacks, spearheaded by the Ballon d’Or-winning Karim Benzema, secured title number 14.
Trophy in Transition
That was all supposed to be put on hold this season. Benzema’s departure in the summer was central to fears that Madrid wouldn’t entirely be the same animal in 2023-24, as the Frenchman left for Saudi Arabia in surprising circumstances. And with Madrid unwilling to spend big on Kylian Mbappe to try signing him on a free transfer 12 months later, they went into the season with no top-class striker.
Of course, Carlo Ancelotti made things work. Jude Bellingham became a No.10 while Vinicius and Rodrygo pushed higher up the pitch. A midfield trio, led by a revitalized Toni Kroos, sat behind them and controlled the tempo. Even injuries to David Alaba, Eder Militao, and Thibaut Courtois could do little to slow them down.
That said, Madrid should have exited the Champions League twice. Manchester City battered them for 120 minutes at the Etihad Stadium in the quarter-final, but Los Blancos held on to send the game to penalties—and never looked like losing once it got there. Bayern, meanwhile, should have put them away in the semi-final, but 33-year-old Joselu—a failed Madrid academy player who returned on loan in the summer—scored twice in the final five minutes to turn the tie on its head.
In a season where they were supposed to fall short, Madrid beat the two other best teams.
Looking Forward
The future looks bright for Real Madrid. Their squad, a blend of seasoned veterans and youthful exuberance, is well-equipped to continue their dominance. The club’s strategic approach in the transfer market and developing young talent like Bellingham ensure they remain competitive at the highest level.
Madrid’s stability and experience in high-pressure situations give them a significant edge as their rivals undergo transitions. Los Blancos could add even more silverware to their bulging trophy cabinet in the coming years.
Real Madrid’s dominance in the Champions League shows no signs of waning. As they continue to adapt, innovate, and invest wisely, they are set to remain the team to beat in Europe for years to come. Their 15th European title might begin another era of unprecedented success.
