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This summer, Real Madrid will unveil Kylian Mbappé to a jam-packed Santiago Bernabéu. It’s a move that has been in the works for three seasons, and it’s going to turn Los Blancos into the most feared team on the planet once again. Mbappé’s arrival marks their biggest signing since Cristiano Ronaldo made the move from Manchester United in 2009 for a then world record fee of £80 million. However, unlike Ronaldo, one of the EPL top scorers of that era and a reigning Ballon d’Or winner at the time, Mbappé will join from Paris Saint-Germain for nothing.  

**Brief History of Galácticos**  

**[First Era: 2000 - 2006]** 

At the turn of the millennium, Florentino Pérez launched a campaign to become president of Real Madrid. Despite Lorenzo Sanz, his predecessor, guiding Los Blancos to two Champions League titles in 1998 and 2000, Pérez defeated him. He did so by shedding light on Real Madrid’s financial struggles and promising a new era of dominance, pledging to bring in one global superstar per year and ushering in the era of Galácticos. True to his word, Pérez swiftly began his mission by signing Luís Figo in 2000, sparking what could be deemed the most controversial transfer saga in football history—there’s even a Netflix documentary about it. This marked just the beginning, as more stars followed suit in the subsequent years: Zinedine Zidane (2001), Ronaldo De Lima (2002), David Beckham (2003), Michael Owen (2004), Robinho, and Sergio Ramos (both in 2005). Despite the hefty investments, this era saw moderate returns over seven years: three LaLiga titles, two Ballon d’Or winners (Luís Figo and Ronaldo), and one Champions League title.  
 

**[Second Era: 2009 - 2018]** 

Florentino Pérez left in 2006 and returned three years later. Upon his 2009 return, he wasted no time in assembling a second iteration of the Galácticos, which proved to be far more successful than the first. Despite a few underwhelming signings, notably Kaká and James Rodríguez, this revamped squad became the most dominant Champions League force in the modern era. Just like he had done in 2000, Pérez started his collection by signing yet another Portuguese winger; Cristiano Ronaldo. Some of the new signings that followed were Karim Benzema, Xabi Alonso, Ángel Di María, Mesut Özil, Luka Modrić, Isco, Gareth Bale, and Toni Kroos.  

The second era of the Galácticos may have won just two LaLiga titles, but it was their European triumphs that truly defined them. They clinched an unprecedented four Champions League titles in five years, including a historic three consecutive victories—a feat unmatched in the modern era. Individually, the stars shone brightly, with the team boasting five Ballon d’Or awards - four for Cristiano Ronaldo and one for Luka Modrić.  

**[The New Galácticos: 2018 - Present]** 

There’s a bit of an overlap between the second and third Galácticos eras, although many believe that Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure in 2018 officially signalled the end of the former. In 2018, Real Madrid brought in Vinícius Júnior and Thibaut Courtois, and over the following years, they added Eden Hazard, Rodrygo, David Alaba, and Éder Militão to their roster. With a few remaining players from the previous era such as Karim Benzema, Toni Kroos, Sergio Ramos, and Luka Modrić, they sustained their dominance in Europe. This was clear when they clinched the 2022 Champions League title, with Karim Benzema also securing a Ballon d’Or award for that year. 

This past summer, Los Blancos added two of the brightest talents of their generation; Jude Bellingham and Arda Güler, with the former already driving them towards a LaLiga title, courtesy his 16 goals.  

With the highly anticipated addition of Brazilian wonderkid Endrick, the established French duo Eduardo Camavinga and Aurélien Tchouaméni, and, if football transfer news are to be believed, Alphonso Davies who is unwilling to extend his contract at Bayern Munich, the coming season could see the complete phasing out of the remaining members from the second era Galácticos.  

**What To Expect With Kylian Mbappé Joining?** 

Since the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi from Europe, Kylian Mbappé has been widely regarded as the best footballer in the world and his arrival is a move to sustain the team’s existing dominance, hoping to emulate the collective and individual successes of the second era. The pressure on the French national team captain will be immense, and failure is simply not an option. As Uncle Ben famously advised his young nephew, Peter Parker, upon discovering his superhuman abilities, “with great power comes great responsibility.” Florentino Pérez deserves commendation for his exceptional job in assembling a stellar supporting cast for Mbappé. Moreover, he will have the privilege of calling the newly renovated Santiago Bernabéu his home ground, adding to the excitement surrounding his arrival. 

Just under a thousand miles from Madrid lies Manchester, where the Blue side has clinched the treble. Over the past two seasons, these sides have clashed in the Champions League, with the eventual victor of the tie going on to lift the title. They’re set to face off again this season in what promises to be an enticing quarter-final tie.  

Manchester City boasts Erling Haaland, widely regarded as one of the most lethal scorers on the planet at present. The comparisons between Haaland and Mbappé have been incessant, akin to the rivalry between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Ronaldo rose to this challenge by securing four Champions League titles and four Ballon d’Or awards, building on his accomplishments from his time in England. If Mbappé leads Los Blancos to many European glories as expected, he’ll have to go through Erling Haaland. I don’t know about you, but I am eagerly anticipating their battles. They’re both in contention for this season’s Champions League golden boot and one of our football predictions is for the Frenchman to win it. Also, France is a favourite in the coming Euros and our bet of the day is for Real Madrid’s soon-to-be Galáctico to lead Les Bleus to the titles.  

● Bet on Kylian Mbappé to win the Champions League Golden Boot 

● Bet on France to Win the EUROs  

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Mbappe's impending move to Real Madrid has the football world agog with excitement. How will the French superstar fit in at Real Madrid?

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Kylian Mbappé to Real Madrid: A New Galácticos Era?

● Bet on Kylian Mbappé to win the Champions League Golden Boot

● Bet on France to Win the EUROs