Real Madrid had barely begun celebrating a record-extending 15th Champions League title when coach Carlo Ancelotti started to plot a 16th.
The all-time kings of Europe have no intention of releasing their grip on the trophy — and by the start of next season, the best are likely to be even better.
“In this club, there is constant demand,” Ancelotti said after Saturday’s 2-0 win against Borussia Dortmund at Wembley Stadium.
Madrid’s latest triumph came without a recognised striker after club icon Karim Benzema departed last year. The gap was filled by English midfielder Jude Bellingham, but by next season Ancelotti will have more firepower to call upon.
Brazil’s most exciting young talent Endrick is on his way. But, Kylian Mbappe is the player most wanted by Madrid fans after a decade-long pursuit of the man many believe to be the heir to Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo as the world’s greatest player.
According to reports, Mbappe has signed a contract to join Madrid on a free transfer when his Paris St-Germain deal expires on June 30 .
Mbappe, 25, will move to Spain when the La Liga transfer window opens on July 1 .
Madrid are expected to announce the deal next week and could formally present the forward at the Bernabeu before Euro 2024.
Mbappe will be a marquee addition in the tradition of past Galacticos to wear the famous white shirt like Zinedine Zidane and Ronaldo.
“It would be amazing (to have) a player like him,” Bellingham said on Saturday.
World Cup-winning forward Mbappe has the individual and match-winning qualities to compare with the game’s greatest.
He is blessed with speed, balance, power and dizzying footwork. He is also a prolific goalscorer at the highest level.
“It’s the only little thing we’re missing in terms of that clinical (No.) nine, and if (Mbappe) was to come and give us that, we’d be in a really, really great place. He’d take us to another level,” Bellingham said.
With Mbappe and Endrick, Madrid would arguably boast the richest array of attacking options in club football, with Vinicius Junior already one of the finest forwards in the world.
The Brazilian sealed the win with Madrid’s second goal.
The creator of Vinicius’ goal was Bellingham — La Liga player of the year in his first season at Madrid.
So, Ancelotti is hardly short of game-changing talent to call upon.
