The 'rebirth' of Real Madrid

Cuộc 'tái sinh' của Real Madrid - Ảnh 1. — Young centre-back Asencio is likely to form a centre-back duo with Huijsen in the opening match - Photo: REUTERS

No European team has as much experience facing opponents from other continents as Real Madrid.

Al Hilal - the first hurdle

It is an extremely obvious fact, when Real Madrid dominates Europe in the Champions League to regularly participate in this tournament. Specifically, Real Madrid has won 5 times since the FIFA Club World Cup was born in 2000. In addition, they also won the FIFA Intercontinental Cup 2024 - a tournament created as a stepping stone for the expansion of the FIFA Club World Cup.

Al Hilal is a strong team. Although they do not follow the trend of chasing superstars like Ronaldo or Benzema, Al Hilal has built a truly quality team with players who are a little less famous. However, they still maintain their top form. That is Ruben Neves - who is only 28 years old this year. That is Mitrovic - a striker who plays better than Ronaldo in Saudi Arabia. That is Joao Cancelo - who not long ago played for top European clubs...

It is no exaggeration to say that Al Hilal is a team strong enough to participate in the Champions League and play on equal terms with most of the giants. They will become the first obstacle for Real Madrid to start their journey of revival.

Introducing 3 new stars

The FIFA Club World Cup begins just half a month after the 2024-2025 European season ends. But President Florentino Perez and his team have almost completed the blood change. Coach Ancelotti and the pillars are too old like Modric, Lucas Vazquez leave (maybe Alaba too).

And young superstars immediately filled the void. There was Alexander-Arnold, Huijsen, and Mastantuono - a midfielder who was only 17 years old from River Plate but cost Real Madrid 45 million euros in transfer fees.

Mastantuono will only go to the Bernabeu after the tournament. In the US this summer, he will still wear the River Plate shirt. But that's okay. The 17-year-old midfielder is definitely a "reserve" for the future, similar to Endrick in the forward line. Real Madrid came to the FIFA Club World Cup with the intention of introducing three stars: Arnold, Huijsen and coach Xabi Alonso.

Real Madrid have changed coaches seven times in the last 10 years. But this is the most promising, most heavily publicised appointment, almost as successful as when they appointed Jose Mourinho in 2010.

Xabi Alonso had an even stronger impact than Zinedine Zidane, who only took the chair in January 2016 after Benitez was fired. Alonso, on the other hand, took a full year to convince Real Madrid, and the former Spaniard spent three wonderful years at Leverkusen.

The Renaissance Begins

All Real Madrid fans must admit the fact that Real Madrid has been too hesitant with the reform plan. The excellence and durability of the old "guards" such as Kroos, Modric, Carvajal, Rudiger made Real Madrid delay buying players for the back line for too long.

For three consecutive summers, Real Madrid have focused on their attack, leaving their defence in a constant state of patchwork. Ancelotti is perhaps the most resourceful coach in the world , but there are limits to everything.

The 4 shocking defeats against Barca this season were the moment that made President Perez determined when Real Madrid's aging reached its peak. Therefore, Barca's young generation has more opportunities to break through strongly.

At the FIFA Club World Cup, Barca is not present, but a series of powerful, diverse and determined attacks are waiting to test the strength of the kings.

Normally, defenders have to wait a while to really get a starting spot at their new team. But Real Madrid are not so patient at the moment, because the FIFA Club World Cup is the first step in their "rebirth" journey.

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HUY DANG

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/cuoc-tai-sinh-cua-real-madrid-20250618082734357.htm