The new La Liga season hasn’t begun yet, but Real Madrid has already secured their first trophy, winning the UEFA Super Cup for the sixth time following a 2-0 victory against Atalanta on Wednesday night. Kylian Mbappe celebrated his debut for Madrid by scoring a goal, which complemented Federico Valverde’s opening tap-in.
As they prepare to defend their title, Real Madrid’s next challenge will be their La Liga opener on Sunday against Mallorca, the previous season’s Copa del Rey finalists.
Earlier in the week, we invited fans to submit questions for our Real Madrid correspondent, Mario Cortegana, regarding the upcoming campaign. Here are his responses to a few selected queries.
When asked about a succession plan for president Florentino Perez, there have been ongoing discussions and media reports speculating about potential successors. During a recent Christmas lunch with the press, Perez, who is 77 and has been in his position since 2009, indicated that he might run for reelection in 2025, suggesting it may be premature to discuss his successor.
Regarding young player Endrick, loaning him out has never been an option, as both the club and the player prefer him to train at Valdebebas instead. The emphasis is on nurturing young talent, much like how other prospects like Valverde and Vinicius Junior have developed over time. With a demanding schedule of potentially over 70 games this season, Madrid will need all their available players.
On the tactical front, coach Carlo Ancelotti appears to favor a formation allowing flexibility between a 4-3-3 with the ball and a 4-4-2 without it. Supporters are keen on seeing a 4-2-3-1 setup, especially to utilize players like Bellingham effectively.
In terms of squad depth, Ferland Mendy is close to renewing his contract, and the plan is to retain him alongside Fran Garcia, who must improve his performance. The club is considering its options for both left and right-back positions, with a potential interest in Alphonso Davies should he become available.
Looking ahead to managerial succession, while Xabi Alonso is a popular name, many believe it is still too early to speculate.
Addressing Mbappe’s transition from Ligue 1, it is believed he possesses the talent to adapt quickly to La Liga, potentially scoring frequently even before he fully acclimates.
Rodrygo’s future appears secure for at least another season at Madrid, despite interest from Manchester City. As for Eduardo Camavinga, while he hasn’t started the season as a first-choice player, many expect him to feature prominently as the season progresses.
On the topic of the team’s demographic make-up, Real Madrid is not overly concerned with their number of non-Spanish players, as they focus primarily on fulfilling UEFA’s requirements.
Lastly, fans expressed confidence that Madrid can compete with Barcelona for the title, pointing to a stronger squad, depth, and effective organization within the club.