Real Madrid is now equipped with an entirely new midfield, with an average age of 21, set to dominate the next decade. This trio of midfielders shares a curious commonality – their arrival at the Bernabeu is closely tied to Zinedine Zidane, the coach who led Real to three consecutive Champions League titles.
Zidane could become the new “father figure” at Bernabeu if he agrees to lead Real for the third time, starting from the summer of 2024. He would manage a squad filled with young talents who joined the club under his influence. Among them, the most captivating is the remarkable midfield trio, and possibly Kylian Mbappé as well.
The return of Zidane to Bernabeu might be the only task that the head of recruitment, Juni Calafat, won’t oversee. Calafat has proven his ability to overcome the most challenging obstacles. He brought in Vinicius, Rodrygo, and the under-17 forward, Endrick, who is expected to make his first-team debut for Los Blancos in 2024.
Calafat’s next mission might seem impossible, but once again, he has triumphed against all odds. How do you replace the trio of Casemiro, Toni Kroos, and Luka Modric? Carlo Ancelotti dubbed them the “Bermuda Triangle.” The ball would enter there and disappear from opponents’ control.
However, with Aurelien Tchouameni (23), Jude Bellingham (who will turn 20 later this month), and Eduardo Camavinga (20), Calafat has found a deserving trio to replace the “Bermuda Triangle.”
Financial strength allowed Real Madrid to outbid Liverpool for Tchouameni’s signature. They also secured Camavinga’s contract while the rest of Europe slept. He was only 19, but Calafat didn’t hesitate to spend €40 million to secure his target.
Camavinga contributed to Real’s 2021/22 Champions League victory as a super sub in his debut season. He solidified his position as a starting midfielder, excelling as a wing-back in his second year at Bernabeu.
Real waited a year before acquiring Camavinga, but the player’s representatives advised against it. Money ahead of time is wise money. Calafat listened, and he has never regretted the decision.
As for Bellingham, the interest extended into the 2021/22 season when he performed exceptionally well at Dortmund. Dortmund is a long-standing partner of Real Madrid, fostering various relationships over the years. Like Camavinga, the English midfielder is someone not to hesitate on.
Zidane has had a profound impact on Real’s new midfield trio, including Bellingham – who succeeded Zidane’s iconic number 5 jersey.
“About 12-15 months ago, my dad said that Real Madrid was interested in me,” Bellingham admitted during a press conference on Thursday. The way Calafat “sells the club” to players excited him and his family. He sells the club’s history first, followed by the idea that young players can write their chapters in it. Who could refuse that?
Real knew Bellingham since he was a 10-year-old with big eyes back in 2014, when they won their historic Champions League final against Atletico Madrid in Lisbon with a 94th-minute equalizer to force extra time. Florentino Perez welcomed Bellingham by saying, “Those eyes are now Real’s eyes.”
Since then, Real Madrid has won three more Champions League titles consecutively in 2016, 2017, and 2018. Bellingham was only 15, and Real’s dominance in those impressive years played a significant role in his decision to join Bernabeu.
Real Madrid invited him to contribute to building the incredible Champions League legacy. The Birmingham-born player emotionally said, “Simply, I couldn’t refuse Real Madrid.”
