A Tale of Midas: Real Madrid Pulverizes Market In Search of Dream Team

It was a secret to no one in Spain,  that the election of former chairman and entrepreneur Florentino Pérez to the Real Madrid presidency obeyed to the widespread desire of bringing back Spain’s most emblematic and honored club to its former bright and glory.    

The decomposition of the once much-admired and flamboyant 2003 Real Madrid squad, nicknamed  “galácticos” (Spanish for: the ones who come from a galaxy), an operation which started on summer 2005 forced by lack of results and massive critics, was just the beginning of a  dimmed age which saw the most acclaimed team in European club history falling down sharply in terms of prestige and competitiveness in front of their traditional contenders, most notably arch-rival Barça.

And given Barcelona’s latest deeds in Spain and in Europe, the need for resurging was imperious. Understandingly, they want to make it in full shape, and quite faithful, it seems, to Florentino’s style: By force of money.

Yesterday’s evening, Real announced the signing of Karim Benzema, the rising French star, for an approximate amount of thirty-five million euros, plus six million euros more for accomplished objectives.

His recruiting was added to those of Kaká ( 65 million euros) Cristiano Ronaldo (96 million euros) and Albiol (15 million euros), in what seems a frantic bet to build a team of the best players available today, something that vaguely reminds us of Chelsea’s assemblage  some years ago.

And we say vaguely, because despite being criticized for heavy expenses, Abramovich’s disbursements through the years of building up Chelsea turn out to be pale when we compare them with the brutal sums paid by Real Madrid this year per player.

Abramovich is said to have spent about 440 million euros in players transfer and signings in about 5 years since the club’s takeover (2003-2008), including managers. His recruits total 31 players and three managers in that period.

However,  Real Madrid’s disbursements for the first five weeks of their “extreme makeup” operation totalizes 212 million euros,  for the signing of just four players, plus three more for a manager.

Enough to challenge even a sultan’s dream.  

Yet from Chelsea’s experience, and most notably from that one of the “galáctico” Real Madrid, we know very well that money does not necessarily guarantee you success, or at least, all the trophies you may want.

It is true that, since major investments were done, Chelsea has rallied to win seven local trophies, including two Premier League titles. But we also know very well that Real Madrid’s main interest is not aimed to win local trophies. They have won two La Liga titles in the last three seasons.

Of course they are focused now in something else, something more prestigious, something which makes them gain the necessary exposure to return to the world elite again. The same trophy that Abramovich has been longing to see in Chelsea’s showcase since he bought the club back in 2003, and so far has been unable to.

The one which reads Coupe des clubs Champions Europeénes.

Unfortunately for those Midas kings, this trophy does not seems to yield to the millions funded by anyone. Experience teaches that it is a mix of well combined talent, wise investments and good luck, along with lot of patience, what is likely to give you access to it.

In the meantime, Real Madrid finances seem to be crisis-proof. They don’t mind the financial predictions or the stock’s markets index; they plan to build La Armada Invincible (the invincible Armada) and what you ask for, is what they give you, in terms of prices.

During the last five years, Real Madrid has spent a global amount of approximately 450 million euros in players signing and transfers, including managers. Added to the 215 millions of this summer, it makes an outrageous global account of 665 million euros in player transfers, more than any other club in the world in the same period.

And we wonder: of what sort of precious metal are Real Madrid chests filled with? Platinum?