All to play for – which players can help Real Madrid win a 15th European crown?

Look back in time to the 9th of May last year, and you’ll see Real Madrid going against Manchester City in the first leg of the Champions League 2023 semi-final. With a 1-1 draw, the teams were riled up for the second leg, but it ended in a complete defeat from the first game, where Manchester City walked away from their home match with a 4-0 victory.

This added up to a 5-1 aggregate overall score for the Champions League – meaning Real Madrid was far behind Manchester City for 2023, and they took the trophy home. In a first-ever Champions League title win, Manchester City may be riding a high for this year, but with a draw for the 9th April 2024 for the first leg, Real Madrid came back fighting hard this time for their deserved penalty shoot-out victory, which secured them progression to this season’s semi-finals.

Real Madrid has reigned victorious 14 times in this tournament’s history, so it’s only right that the team is coming back fighting better than ever. Let’s take a look at the players behind Real Madrid’s team, and who could help them become champions again.

1. Jude Bellingham

Our MVP for Real Madrid this season is Jude Bellingham, and what a game of football he delivers. Currently nursing a niggling shoulder injury, the 20-year-old isn’t letting this setback take the front stage. At such a young age, Bellingham has cemented himself as one of the world’s greatest for his age and he’s one of the reasons that Real Madrid is fighting fit for their win.

He managed to secure five goals in just the first four games of the season — so whatever Bellingham touches really turns to gold. He’s in line to be the signing of the summer after joining Real Madrid last year on a €103 million transfer from Borussia Dortmund, and all we