French soccer player Kylian Mbappe gestures at the national soccer team training center in Clairefontaine, west of Paris, Monday, June 3, 2024 ahead of the UEFA Euro 2024. French soccer player Kylian Mbappe is photographed at the national soccer team training center in Clairefontaine, west of Paris, Monday, June 3, 2024 ahead of the UEFA Euro 2024.
After Ronaldo left and the club took a chance with Hazard, club president Florentino Pérez mostly stuck with players already in the squad and bet on untested youngsters such as Vinícius and Rodrygo. They were signed at early ages and slowly got incorporated into the main squad. Endrick, the latest Brazilian sensation, is arriving from Palmeiras for the new season and is expected to travel the same path.
By not overspending in recent transfer windows — and by signing Mbappé only after he became a free agent — Madrid saved money and moved into position to add even more top players if needed. Ancelotti will have to tinker with his squad to find a place for Mbappé, though. The 25-year-old Frenchman excels on the left side of the attack, where 23-year-old Vinícius has been playing regularly. The other flank is often occupied by 23-year-old Rodrygo, who recently talked about the possibility of leaving Madrid if he didn’t feel useful for the club.