New DNA needs old genes: Is the world’s biggest club facing a downfall? | OneFootball

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Today, Luka Modric will play his last game for Real Madrid. With the 39-year-old’s departure, one of the last Royals who embodied the unshakable winning gene of the world club is stepping down. After a trophyless season, the question arises in the Spanish capital: Will the new DNA successfully come together, or is the biggest club in the world facing a spectacular fall?

‘Remontada’ was the buzzword in the Madrid cosmos before the second leg of the Champions League quarterfinal against Arsenal. A spectacular comeback. If any team could overturn a 3-goal deficit from the first leg, it was Real Madrid. A sense of certainty that stood on the sidelines in the 73rd minute in the person of Luka Modric.

The Croatian took to the pitch at Estadio Santiago Bernabéu to the sound of longing cheers – only to watch as Gabriel Martinelli scored the 2-1 winner in stoppage time. The end for the record champions. The radiance of the last member of a golden generation was no longer enough to turn the tide.

The same was true for the race for the Spanish championship and the cup. Both titles went to archrival FC Barcelona. In two memorable matches, Madrid let a lead slip away each time. How could this happen? It certainly wasn’t due to a lack of individual quality. Not for Modric, nor for Real.

The Eastern European folk hero continued to prove, even in his 40th year, that he could still conjure up magical passes and dream goals from his aging body. Meanwhile, Carlo Ancelotti’s star-studded ensemble gained another high-flyer in Kylian Mbappé. But instead of (inter)national dominance, the first season with the Frenchman ended in a trophyless disgrace.

Of course, the numerous injuries certainly didn’t help. But there was a similar crisis in the previous season as well. Still, in the end, the Champions League trophy was presented at the Cibeles Fountain for the 15th time. Then Toni Kroos retired. Dani Carvajal suffered a cruciate ligament injury in October. Now Modric and Ancelotti are bowing out.

Undoubtedly, Thibaut Courtois, Antonio Rüdiger, or Vinicius Jr. also know exactly how to belt out “¡Hala Madrid!” as off-key as possible with silverware on their laps atop a double-decker bus. But over the years, the number of those who know all the words has steadily decreased. Who will deliver a fresh injection of winner’s arrogance?

📸 KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV - AFP or licensors

Xabi Alonso! At least, that’s the hope of the estimated 41 million Madridistas in Europe alone. The Spanish World and European champion is the logical choice. As a former player, he knows every doormat in the club and has left an impressive trail of success both as a player and now as a coach.

On Monday, the Leverkusen title-maker will take up his post, and all eyes will be on him. Ahead of him lies perhaps the most difficult task in world football since the mission to return to the top in a northern German Hanseatic city. The hierarchy must be restructured. Even the 43-year-old coach must first assert his own standing.

Personnel-wise, a major upheaval must be managed, while every game is still expected to be won. Oh yes, and it should all look great, of course. Some unpleasant decisions will have to be made. What will happen with David Alaba or Eder Militao? In what shape will the 33-year-old Carvajal return? Will a potential successor to Modric be brought in?

📸 JAVIER SORIANO

His stoic calm will be interpreted by the (Spanish) press as inactivity at every little opportunity. The architect of Laterkusen will hardly care. The confidence of victory belongs to the two-time Champions League winner just as much as his stylish appearance.

Both have been in short supply at his new employer lately. In just under three weeks, at the Club World Cup, the turnaround will begin. A lasting dip in success – or even a crash – for the world’s biggest club will not happen. At least Luka Modric will be convinced of that, with near absolute certainty.

📸 Angel Martinez - 2025 Getty Images