Mbappé and the New Bernabéu, two landmarks in Pérez's plan
KENZO TRIBOUILLARD AFP
Kylian Mbappé and the New Bernabéu... these are the two landmarks in Florentino Pérez' roadmap to catapult Real Madrid forward again like he has done twice in the past. The first time, when he was made president for the first time in 2000, saw him bring Luis Figo to the club from Barcelona. Later, Zidane, Ronaldo and Beckham arrived. Thus began the era of the Galáctico, a new way to understand the building of teams and the industry of football. "There are these footballers who pay their own salary," he said at the time to justify their wages. It would prove to be the basis of modern football contracts. The stars he signed ended up attracting a host of sponsors and Pérez shared the image rights with his footballers. Madrid made an incredible economic leap forward at that time but they only won one Champions League (2000).

The second era came under Zinedine Zidane when he was appointed as Rafa Benitez replacement in 2016. There had been incredible teams in the past, immortalised by nicknames: Madrid de Di Stéfano, the Ye-yé, the Quinta del Buitre, the Galácticos…). Under Zidane, they won three Champions League titles in a row and with Ancelotti's one that amounted to four in five years. That was done with Cristiano Ronaldo as the talisman but he was a signing under previous president, Ramón Calderón.